King James Version

What Does Leviticus 11:33 Mean?

Leviticus 11:33 in the King James Version says “And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth , whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Leviticus 11:33 · KJV

Context

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.

34

Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.

35

And every thing whereupon any part of their carcase falleth shall be unclean; whether it be oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: for they are unclean, and shall be unclean unto you.

Read Leviticus 11 full chapter

Commentary

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

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.
Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

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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 texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

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. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְכָל1 of 14
H3605

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

כְּלִי2 of 14

“vessel”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

חֶ֔רֶשׂ3 of 14

“And every earthen”

H2789

a piece of pottery

אֲשֶׁר4 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִפֹּ֥ל5 of 14

“whereinto any of them falleth”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

מֵהֶ֖ם6 of 14
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֶל7 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תּוֹכ֑וֹ8 of 14
H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

כֹּ֣ל9 of 14
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֧ר10 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּתוֹכ֛וֹ11 of 14
H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

יִטְמָ֖א12 of 14

“whatsoever is in it shall be unclean”

H2930

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

וְאֹת֥וֹ13 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

תִשְׁבֹּֽרוּ׃14 of 14

“and ye shall break”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

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 11:33 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 11:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 15:12Leviticus 6:282 Corinthians 5:1-8Jeremiah 48:38Leviticus 11:35Philippians 3:21

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