Leviticus 11:21 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 11:21 mean?

Leviticus 11:21 says that among the flying insects that move on all fours, the Israelites were allowed to eat those that have legs above their feet, which they use to hop on the ground. This verse sets apart certain types of insects as acceptable to eat, based on their physical features and how they move.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses and Aaron instructions about which animals are clean or unclean for the Israelites to eat. Here, the focus is on insects, a category that was common in the region. The verse describes a specific group of insects—those that fly, creep, and jump—making a distinction based on their legs and movement.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 11:21

• "eat" (אָכַל, 'akal): This word means to consume or devour. Its use here is about what is permitted for food, not just what is possible to eat.
• "flying" (עוֹף, 'oph): This word refers to things that fly, usually birds or insects. Here, it points to winged insects.
• "creeping" (שֶׁרֶץ, sherets): This word means a small creature that moves along the ground, often used for insects or other small animals.
• "four" (אַרְבַּע, arba): This number is used to describe the main legs of these insects, even though insects have six legs; the language reflects how people in ancient times described what they saw.
• "legs" (כָּרַע, kara): This word refers to the jointed legs, especially those used for leaping.
• "leap" (נָתַר, natar): This verb means to spring or jump, highlighting the jumping motion that sets these insects apart.

Why Leviticus 11:21 matters

• Leviticus 11:21 clarifies that not all insects were forbidden; some, like locusts and grasshoppers, were allowed if they had certain features, which helps explain later references to eating locusts in the Bible.
• The verse shows how detailed and practical the dietary laws were, focusing on observable traits rather than just species names, which would have been useful for everyday life.
• Understanding the specific language about legs and leaping helps modern readers see how ancient people classified animals differently than we do today, and why some insects were considered clean.