Leviticus 11:26

Leviticus 11:26 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Every animal with hooves not completely divided or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you. Whoever touches any of them will be unclean.

King James Version KJV

The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.

American Standard Version ASV

Every beast which parteth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, is unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Every beast, in the horn of whose foot there is not a complete division, and whose food does not come back, is unclean to you: anyone touching one of these will be unclean.

Free Bible Version FBV

Every animal with hooves that are not divided, or that does not chew the cud, is unclean for you. If you touch any of them you will be unclean.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Euery beast that hath clawes deuided, and is not clouen footed, nor cheweth the cud, such shalbe vncleane vnto you: euery one that toucheth them, shalbe vncleane.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

even every beast which is dividing the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, and the cud is not bringing up — unclean they [are] to you; any one who is coming against them is unclean.

World English Bible WEB

“‘Every animal which has a split hoof that isn’t completely divided, or doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them shall be unclean.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

The carcasses of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean to you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

‘The animals whose carcasses you must not touch are those that have hooves that are not completely divided or animals that do not chew their cuds. Anyone who touches the carcasses of any of those animals becomes ◄defiled/unacceptable to me►.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 11:26

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Leviticus 11:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB לְֽ/כָל הַ/בְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִוא֩ מַפְרֶ֨סֶת פַּרְסָ֜ה וְ/שֶׁ֣סַע אֵינֶ֣/נָּה שֹׁסַ֗עַת וְ/גֵרָה֙ אֵינֶ֣/נָּה מַעֲלָ֔ה טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖ם לָ/כֶ֑ם כָּל הַ/נֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּ/הֶ֖ם יִטְמָֽא

לְֽ/כָל kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms

הַ/בְּהֵמָ֡ה bᵉhêmâh H929 animal Art | N-fs

אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

הִוא֩ hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron

מַפְרֶ֨סֶת pâraç H6536 to divide V-Hiphil

פַּרְסָ֜ה parçâh H6541 hoof N-fs

וְ/שֶׁ֣סַע shâçaʻ H8156 to cleave Conj | N-ms

אֵינֶ֣/נָּה ʼayin H369 nothing Part | Suff

שֹׁסַ֗עַת sheçaʻ H8157 cleft V-Qal

וְ/גֵרָה֙ gêrâh H1625 cud Conj | N-fs

אֵינֶ֣/נָּה ʼayin H369 nothing Part | Suff

מַעֲלָ֔ה ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend V-Hiphil

טְמֵאִ֥ים ṭâmêʼ H2931 unclean Adj

הֵ֖ם hêm H1992 they(masc.) Pron

לָ/כֶ֑ם Prep | Suff

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

הַ/נֹּגֵ֥עַ nâgaʻ H5060 to touch Art | V-Qal

בָּ/הֶ֖ם Prep | Suff

יִטְמָֽא ṭâmêʼ H2930 to defile V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 11:26

לְֽ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

הַ/בְּהֵמָ֡ה bᵉhêmâh H929 "animal" Art | N-fs

This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.

Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts

Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.

אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

הִוא֩ hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

מַפְרֶ֨סֶת pâraç H6536 "to divide" V-Hiphil

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to break or divide something into parts, like splitting wood or distributing food. It is used in various contexts, including when God divides the Red Sea in Exodus. This word is about separating or sharing things.

Definition: 1) to divide, break in two 1a) (Qal) to break, break up 1b) (Hiphil) to be divided (of hoofs) Aramaic equivalent: pe.ras (פְּרַס "to divide" H6537A)

Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear. See also: Leviticus 11:3; Deuteronomy 14:6; Psalms 69:32.

פַּרְסָ֜ה parçâh H6541 "hoof" N-fs

A claw or split hoof, often referring to the feet of animals like cows or horses, is described by this word. It appears in Leviticus 11, where it discusses clean and unclean animals.

Definition: 1) hoof 1a) of ruminants 1b) of horses (undivided hooves)

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: claw, (cloven-) footed, hoof. See also: Exodus 10:26; Deuteronomy 14:7; Isaiah 5:28.

וְ/שֶׁ֣סַע shâçaʻ H8156 "to cleave" Conj | N-ms

To cleave means to split or tear something apart, and it can also mean to strongly criticize or upbraid someone, as seen in the Bible when God parts the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21.

Definition: 1) to divide, cleave, part, split 1a) (Qal) cleaving, cleft (participle) 1b) (Piel) to tear in two, cleave in two

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: cleave, (be) cloven (footed), rend, stay. See also: Leviticus 1:17; Deuteronomy 14:6; 1 Samuel 24:8.

אֵינֶ֣/נָּה ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part | Suff

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.

שֹׁסַ֗עַת sheçaʻ H8157 "cleft" V-Qal

A cleft is a fissure or split in something, like a rock or a piece of wood, as described in the Bible in 2 Kings 2:11.

Definition: cleft, cloven, split

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: cleft, clovenfooted. See also: Leviticus 11:3; Leviticus 11:26; Deuteronomy 14:6.

וְ/גֵרָה֙ gêrâh H1625 "cud" Conj | N-fs

The cud is the food that animals like cows regurgitate and chew on, scraping their throat in the process. This word is used in the Bible to describe the eating habits of certain animals, like goats and sheep. The KJV translates it simply as 'cud'.

Definition: cud

Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: cud. See also: Leviticus 11:3; Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8.

אֵינֶ֣/נָּה ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part | Suff

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

מַעֲלָ֔ה ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" V-Hiphil

To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.

Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself

Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.

טְמֵאִ֥ים ṭâmêʼ H2931 "unclean" Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be unclean in a spiritual sense, often due to sin or impurity, as seen in Leviticus. It can refer to people, places, or things. The concept is key to understanding biblical purity laws.

Definition: 1) unclean, impure 1a) ethically and religiously 1b) ritually 1c) of places

Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: defiled, [phrase] infamous, polluted(-tion), unclean. See also: Leviticus 5:2; Numbers 9:6; Isaiah 6:5.

הֵ֖ם hêm H1992 "they(masc.)" Pron

This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.

Definition: they, these, the same, who

Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.

לָ/כֶ֑ם "" Prep | Suff

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

הַ/נֹּגֵ֥עַ nâgaʻ H5060 "to touch" Art | V-Qal

This Hebrew word means to touch or reach something, and can also mean to strike or defeat someone. It is used in Exodus to describe God's power and in Psalms to describe human emotions. The word has various translations, including beat, bring, and plague.

Definition: 1) to touch, reach, strike 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to touch 1a2) to strike 1a3) to reach, extend to 1a4) to be stricken 1a4a) stricken (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated 1c) (Piel) to strike 1d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease) 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive 1e1) to cause to touch, apply 1e2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come 1e3) to approach (of time) 1e4) to befall (of fate)

Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch. See also: Genesis 3:3; 2 Chronicles 3:12; Psalms 32:6.

בָּ/הֶ֖ם "" Prep | Suff

יִטְמָֽא ṭâmêʼ H2930 "to defile" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.

Definition: 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled

Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:5; Leviticus 22:5; Psalms 79:1.

Study Notes — Leviticus 11:26

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Leviticus 11:26 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 11:26
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 11:26
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 11:26
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 11:26
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 11:26
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 11:26
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 11:26

Context — Clean and Unclean Animals

24These creatures will make you unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, 25and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening.

26Every animal with hooves not completely divided or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you. Whoever touches any of them will be unclean.

27All the four-footed animals that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, 28and anyone who picks up a carcass must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening. They are unclean for you.

Leviticus 11:26 Summary

This verse is saying that certain animals are considered unclean, or not acceptable for the Israelites to eat or touch, because of the way they are made. This is part of a bigger idea in the Bible about being pure and holy, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45. It's not just about what we eat, but about how we live our lives and what we allow into our hearts and minds, as seen in Matthew 15:18-20. By following God's rules and living a pure life, we can be holy and pleasing to Him, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes an animal unclean according to Leviticus 11:26?

An animal is considered unclean if it has hooves that are not completely divided or if it does not chew its cud, as stated in Leviticus 11:26, and this principle is also seen in Deuteronomy 14:6-8.

Why would touching an unclean animal make someone unclean?

In the biblical context, touching an unclean animal would make someone unclean because it was believed that the uncleanness of the animal could be transferred to the person, as seen in Leviticus 11:26, and this is also mentioned in Leviticus 15:11.

How does this verse relate to the concept of purity in the Bible?

This verse is part of a larger discussion on purity in the book of Leviticus, where God is teaching the Israelites about what is clean and unclean, and how to maintain their purity and holiness, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45 and also in Genesis 1:31 where God saw all that He had made and it was very good.

Is this verse still relevant to Christians today?

While the specific dietary laws in Leviticus 11:26 are not directly applicable to Christians today, the principles of purity and holiness are still relevant, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16, where believers are called to be holy in all their conduct.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can apply the principle of purity from this verse to my own life, in terms of what I allow into my heart and mind?
How can I balance the need for purity and holiness with the reality of living in a fallen world, as seen in Romans 12:2?
What does it mean for me to 'be holy' as God is holy, and how can I strive for that in my daily life, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16?
In what ways can I use the concept of purity from this verse to evaluate my relationships and activities, and to make choices that honor God, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18?

Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 11:26

[The carcasses] of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not cloven footed,.... As the camel: nor cheweth the cud; though it may divide the hoof, as the swine; and on the other hand, such as

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 11:26

The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean. Every beast ... not cloven-footed.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 11:26

The word carcasses is easily to be understood out of ,25, where it is expressed.

Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 11:26

Leviticus 11:26 [The carcases] of every beast which divideth the hoof, and [is] not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, [are] unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.Ver. 26. Not cloven footed.] See on Leviticus 11:5.

Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 11:26

(26) The carcases of every beast.—The construction of this text constituted one of the differences between the Pharisees and the Sadducees during the second Temple. According to the Pharisees, or the National Church in the time of Christ, the phrase “that toucheth them” in the last part of this verse refers to “the carcases” of the unclean animals spoken of in the preceding verse. It was only when an unclean animal was dead, whether death was owing to natural causes, design, or accident, that contact with its body defiled (see Leviticus 11:8; Leviticus 11:31); but when alive, unclean animals were freely used. Hence camels, asses, horses, &c, were employed in daily life, though unclean (1 Chronicles 12:40; Zechariah 14:15; Matthew 21:2; Luke 13:15, &c.). The Authorised Version rightly expresses this sense by inserting “the carcases” in italics at the beginning of the verse, thus showing that “them” in the latter part of the verse refers to the bodies of unclean animals when dead. Indeed some MSS. have actually “that toucheth their carcases,” instead of “that toucheth them.” The Sadducees, however, took the expression “them” to refer to the living unclean animals, and hence maintained that touching the body of any animal described in this dietary list as unclean defiled. The difference which this interpretation of the text produced in the domestic life and social intercourse of the Jews can hardly be described, since, according to the doctrine of the Sadducees, it was exceedingly difficult to remain undefiled as soon as one of them stepped outside their dwellings.

Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 11:26

24–28. Uncleanness caused by Dead Bodies (See introductory note on Leviticus 11:20-23.) Leviticus 11:24-25 are a general introduction. ‘And by these’ (Leviticus 11:24) refers to what follows, not to the ‘winged creeping things’ of Leviticus 11:23. (a) touching or bearing the carcase of (α) beasts specified in Leviticus 11:26-27 or (β) swarming things specified in Leviticus 11:29-30 caused uncleanness till the even; if they were carried, the clothes must also be washed. (b) further cases of defilement were caused by a carcase, (α) a vessel (Leviticus 11:32-33), (β) food (Leviticus 11:34), (γ) ovens, etc. (Leviticus 11:35), (δ) water in a pit (Leviticus 11:36), (ε) seed (Leviticus 11:37-38). Carrying part of the carcase involves uncleanness of a higher degree than that caused by mere contact. Note the difference in the regulations of Lev 11:24-25; Leviticus 11:27-28. In Leviticus 11:26-27 the beasts are specified by their characteristics; in Leviticus 11:29-30 by their names.

Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 11:26

LARGER ANIMALS, Leviticus 11:26-28.This section contains a prohibition of all quadrupeds not dividing the hoof and chewing the cud, together with the penalty for touching their carcasses.

← Leviticus 11:25 Leviticus 11:27 →