Leviticus – Chapter 11

Old Testament47 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 11 of Leviticus begins: "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" The chapter centers on Aaron and Moses. Across its 47 verses, two threads run through the text: holiness and God feeding His people. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:

2Say to the children of Israel: These are the animals which you are to eat of all the living things of the earth.

3Whatsoever hath the hoof divided, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, you shall eat.

4But whatsoever cheweth indeed the cud, and hath a hoof, but divideth it not, as the camel, and others: that you shall not eat, but shall reckon it among the unclean.

5The cherogrillus which cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof, is unclean.

6The hare also: for that too cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof.

7And the swine, which, though it divideth the hoof, cheweth not the cud.

8The flesh of these you shall not eat, nor shall you touch their carcasses, because they are unclean to you.

9These are the things that breed in the waters, and which it is lawful to eat. All that hath fins, and scales, as well in the sea, as in the rivers, and the pools, you shall eat.

10But whatsoever hath not fins and scales, of those things that move and live in the waters, shall be an abomination to you,

11And detestable. Their flesh you shall not eat: and their carcasses you shall avoid.

12All that have not fins and scales, in the waters, shall be unclean.

13Of birds these are they which you must not eat, and which are to be avoided by you: The eagle, and the griffon, and the osprey.

14And the kite, and the vulture, according to their kind.

15And all that is of the raven kind, according to their likeness.

16The ostrich, and the owl, and the larus, and the hawk according to its kind.

17The screech owl, and the cormorant, and the ibis.

18And the swan, and the bittern, and the porphyrion.

19The heron, and the charadroin according to its kind, the houp also, and the bat.

20Of things that fly, whatsoever goeth upon four feet, shall be abominable to you.

21But whatsoever walketh upon four feet, but hath the legs behind longer, wherewith it hoppeth upon the earth,

22That you shall eat: as the bruchus in its kind, the attacus, and ophimachus, and the locust, every, one according to their kind.

23But of flying things whatsoever hath four feet only, shall be an abomination to you.

24And whosoever shall touch the carcasses of them, shall be defiled: and shall be unclean until the evening:

25And if it be necessary that he carry any of these things when they are dead: he shall wash his clothes, and shall be unclean until the sun set.

26Every beast that hath a hoof, but divideth it not, nor cheweth the cud shall be unclean: and he that toucheth it, shall be defiled.

27That which walketh upon hands of all animals which go on all four, shall be unclean: he that shall touch their carcasses shall be defiled until evening.

28And he that shall carry such carcasses, shall wash his clothes, and shall be unclean until evening: because all these things are unclean to you.

29These also shall be reckoned among unclean things, of all that move upon the earth. The weasel, and the mouse, and the crocodile, every one according to their kind:

30The shrew, and the chameleon, and the stellio, and the lizard, and the mole.

31All these are unclean. He that toucheth their carcasses shall be unclean until the evening.

32And upon what thing soever any of their carcasses shall fall, it shall be defiled, whether it be a vessel of wood, or a garment, or skins or haircloths: or any thing in which work is done. They shall be dipped in water, and shall be unclean until the evening, and so afterwards shall be clean.

33But an earthen vessel, into which any of these shall fall, shall be defiled: and therefore is to be broken.

34Any meat which you eat, if water from such a vessel be poured upon it, shall be unclean; and every liquor that is drunk out of any such vessel, shall be unclean.

35And upon whatsoever thing any of these dead beasts shall fall, it shall be unclean. Whether it be oven, or pots with feet, they shall be destroyed, and shall be unclean.

36But fountains and cisterns, and all gatherings together of waters shall be clean. He that toucheth their carcasses shall be defiled.

37If it fall upon seed corn, it shall not defile it.

38But if any man pour water upon the seed, and afterwards it be touched by the carcasses, it shall be forthwith defiled.

39If any beast die, of which it is lawful for you to eat, he that toucheth the carcass thereof, shall be unclean until the evening.

40And he that eateth or carrieth any thing thereof, shall wash his clothes, and shall be unclean until the evening.

41All that creepeth upon the earth shall be abominable: neither shall it be taken for meat.

42Whatsoever goeth upon the breast on four feet, or hath many feet, or traileth on the earth, you shall not eat, because it is abominable.

43Do not defile your souls, nor touch aught thereof, lest you be unclean,

44For I am the Lord your God. Be holy because I am holy. Defile not your souls by any creeping thing, that moveth upon the earth.

45For I am the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that I might be your God.

46You shall be holy, because I am holy. This is the law of beasts and fowls, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and creepeth on the earth:

47That you may know the differences of the clean, and unclean, and know what you ought to eat, and what to refuse.

Important Verses in Leviticus 11

And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:

Leviticus 11:1

But whatsoever cheweth indeed the cud, and hath a hoof, but divideth it not, as the camel, and others: that you shall not eat, but shall reckon it among the unclean.

Leviticus 11:4

For I am the Lord your God. Be holy because I am holy. Defile not your souls by any creeping thing, that moveth upon the earth.

Leviticus 11:44

That you may know the differences of the clean, and unclean, and know what you ought to eat, and what to refuse.

Leviticus 11:47

Historical Context

Leviticus addresses the priests (sons of Aaron) and the whole assembly of Israel within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 11 of 27 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 47 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Aaron and Moses appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" It concludes: "That you may know the differences of the clean, and unclean, and know what you ought to eat, and what to refuse. " The wider setting of Leviticus is this: Leviticus is the liturgical handbook of ancient Israel, given at Sinai to teach a newly freed people how to worship a holy God. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood

When It Was Written

Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" The passage repeatedly touches on holiness before God.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2215). Here, Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize holiness before God as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Aaron1 mentionMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Leviticus Chapter 11 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing justice, charity, and the common good.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1324) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leviticus Chapter 11 about?

Leviticus 11 contains 47 verses. It opens with "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" and closes with "That you may know the differences of the clean, and unclean, and know what you ought to eat, and what to refuse. ". The book as a whole is law and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Leviticus 11?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Leviticus Chapter 11?

This chapter mentions Aaron, Moses.

Who wrote Leviticus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood. Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

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