Joe: Alright, so we’re talking about Leviticus 11 today. What’s it all about, Bible Expert?

Bible Expert: Well, Joe, this chapter is focused on diet and cleanliness, as God instructs the Israelites on what animals they can and cannot eat.

Joe: So just like, what’s good for you and what’s not, right?

Bible Expert: Yeah, pretty much. God goes through a long list of animals and tells them what’s clean and what’s unclean. For example, he says that animals with cloven hooves, like cattle, sheep and goats, are clean and can be eaten, but animals without cloven hooves and that don’t chew the cud, like pigs, are unclean and can’t be eaten.

Joe: Wow, that’s a lot to keep track of.

Jamie: Hey, Joe, I Googled it and it looks like there are over 30 different animals listed in this chapter as clean and unclean.

Joe: That’s crazy! Anything else we should know about, Bible Expert?

Bible Expert: Yeah, there’s a few other details. God also says that the Israelites must avoid all creeping things that live on the ground, such as lizards and insects, as they are unclean. He also specifies that birds of prey and scavenging birds, like vultures, should be avoided too. Lastly, he says that any water creature that does not have fins or scales is also unclean.

Joe: Wow, so it sounds like there’s a lot of rules for the Israelites to follow when it comes to what they can and can’t eat.

Bible Expert: That’s right, Joe. But God is also very clear that if they follow these rules, they will be blessed.