King James Version

What Does Leviticus 11:4 Mean?

Leviticus 11:4 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.”

Leviticus 11:4 · KJV

Context

2

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.

3

Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted , and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.

4

Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

5

And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

6

And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

Read Leviticus 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

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.
The access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

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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. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
  3. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
אַ֤ךְ1 of 21

“Nevertheless”

H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

אֶת2 of 21
H853

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

זֶה֙3 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לֹ֣א4 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֹֽאכְל֔וּ5 of 21

“these shall ye not eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מַעֲלֵ֨ה6 of 21

“because he cheweth”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

גֵרָ֜ה7 of 21

“the cud”

H1625

the cud (as scraping the throat)

מַפְרִ֔יס8 of 21

“but divideth”

H6536

to break in pieces, i.e., (usually without violence) to split, distribute

וּפַרְסָה֙9 of 21

“not the hoof”

H6541

a claw or split hoof

אֶֽת10 of 21
H853

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

הַ֠גָּמָל11 of 21

“as the camel”

H1581

a camel

כִּֽי12 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מַעֲלֵ֨ה13 of 21

“because he cheweth”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

גֵרָ֜ה14 of 21

“the cud”

H1625

the cud (as scraping the throat)

ה֗וּא15 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וּפַרְסָה֙16 of 21

“not the hoof”

H6541

a claw or split hoof

אֵינֶ֣נּוּ17 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַפְרִ֔יס18 of 21

“but divideth”

H6536

to break in pieces, i.e., (usually without violence) to split, distribute

טָמֵ֥א19 of 21

“he is unclean”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

ה֖וּא20 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לָכֶֽם׃21 of 21
H0

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 11:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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