Leviticus 11:6 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 11:6 mean?

Leviticus 11:6 says that the hare is considered unclean for the Israelites because, although it appears to chew the cud, it does not have a divided hoof. This means the hare was not to be eaten according to the dietary laws given by God through Moses.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses and Aaron, giving them instructions about which animals the Israelites may or may not eat. The focus here is on specific physical traits—chewing the cud and having a split hoof—as signs for distinguishing clean from unclean animals. The hare is singled out because it only seems to meet one of these requirements, so it is declared unclean.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 11:6

• hare (אַרְנֶבֶת, arnevet): This word refers to the animal we call a hare or rabbit. Its mention shows the law’s attention to animals familiar to the Israelites.
• cheweth (עָלָה, ‘alah): This verb means "to go up" or "bring up," and in this context, it refers to the animal appearing to bring up and chew food again, a behavior called "chewing the cud."
• cud (גֵּרָה, gerah): This word means the partially digested food that some animals regurgitate and chew again. The hare’s chewing motion made it seem to chew the cud, though it does not truly do so as ruminants do.
• divideth (פָּרַס, paras): This verb means "to divide" or "split." Here, it refers to the physical trait of having a split or cloven hoof.
• hoof (פַּרְסָה, parsah): This word means "hoof," specifically the hard foot of certain animals. The hare does not have a split hoof, which is why it is not considered clean.
• unclean (טָמֵא, tame’): This word means "ritually impure" or "not suitable for eating" according to the law. The hare is labeled as such for not meeting both required traits.

Why Leviticus 11:6 matters

• Leviticus 11:6 helps clarify that both chewing the cud and having a divided hoof are required for an animal to be considered clean, not just one or the other.
• This verse shows the careful attention to detail in the dietary laws, which shaped everyday life and identity for ancient Israelites.
• Understanding this verse helps explain why certain animals, even if they seem similar to clean animals, were excluded from the Israelite diet, emphasizing the importance of following God’s specific instructions.