King James Version

What Does Leviticus 11:31 Mean?

Leviticus 11:31 in the King James Version says “These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.”

Leviticus 11:31 · KJV

Context

29

These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind,

30

And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.

31

These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.

32

And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.

33

And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth , whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.

Read Leviticus 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.

This verse falls within the section on Clean and Unclean Animals. Dietary laws distinguishing clean from unclean animals, teaching Israel holiness and separation from pagan practices.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Dietary laws distinguishing clean from unclean animals, teaching Israel holiness and separation from pagan practices. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Ancient sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?
  3. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אֵ֛לֶּה1 of 12
H428

these or those

הַטְּמֵאִ֥ים2 of 12

“These are unclean”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

לָכֶ֖ם3 of 12
H0
בְּכָל4 of 12
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַשָּׁ֑רֶץ5 of 12

“to you among all that creep”

H8318

a swarm, i.e., active mass of minute animals

כָּל6 of 12
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנֹּגֵ֧עַ7 of 12

“whosoever doth touch”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

בָּהֶ֛ם8 of 12
H0
בְּמֹתָ֖ם9 of 12

“them when they be dead”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

יִטְמָ֥א10 of 12

“shall be unclean”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

עַד11 of 12
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הָעָֽרֶב׃12 of 12

“until the even”

H6153

dusk

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 11:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 11:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 11:8Leviticus 11:24-25

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