King James Version

What Does Leviticus 11:43 Mean?

Leviticus 11:43 in the King James Version says “Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. yourselves abominable: Heb. your souls, etc”

Leviticus 11:43 · KJV

Context

41

And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.

42

Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. hath: Heb. doth multiply feet

43

Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. yourselves abominable: Heb. your souls, etc

44

For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

45

For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Read Leviticus 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby.

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. The tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?
  3. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אַל1 of 12
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תְּשַׁקְּצוּ֙2 of 12

“Ye shall not make”

H8262

to be filthy, i.e., (intensively) to loathe, pollute

אֶת3 of 12
H853

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

נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם4 of 12

“yourselves”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בְּכָל5 of 12
H3605

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

הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ6 of 12

“with any creeping thing”

H8318

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

הַשֹּׁרֵ֑ץ7 of 12

“that creepeth”

H8317

to wriggle, i.e., (by implication) swarm or abound

וְלֹ֤א8 of 12
H3808

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

תִֽטַּמְּאוּ֙9 of 12

“with them that ye should be defiled”

H2930

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

בָּהֶ֔ם10 of 12
H0
וְנִטְמֵתֶ֖ם11 of 12

“neither shall ye make yourselves unclean”

H2933

to be impure in a religious sense

בָּֽם׃12 of 12
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 11:43 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 11:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 20:25Leviticus 11:41-42

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Leviticus 11 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLeviticus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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