What are the animals considered clean and unclean in the Old Testament?

Answer

The initial mention of clean and unclean animals is found in the narrative of the flood (Genesis 7:1—8:22) when God commands Noah to bring onto the ark seven pairs of every type of clean animal and one pair of each kind of unclean animal. In Leviticus 11:1–47 (see also Leviticus 22:4-5;Deuteronomy 14:1-21), God establishes a specific set of regulations for the Israelites regarding clean and unclean animals, mainly for dietary and ceremonial purposes. Only clean animals were permitted for consumption as food (Leviticus 20:25-26), for consecration to the Lord (Exodus 13:1-2), and for offering in the sacrificial system of Israel (Leviticus 1:1-2;27:9-13).

Land animals (Leviticus 11:1-8;26-30;Deuteronomy 14:6-8) that possessed completely split or “cleft” hooves and chewed the cud were deemed clean and appropriate for consumption. Any land animals that did not meet this criterion were considered unclean and unfit for eating. If an animal only satisfied one aspect of the requirement, it was classified as unclean. For instance, “the camel, although it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof” and was ritually unclean «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).

Aquatic creatures like fish needed to possess both fins and scales to be considered clean and suitable for consumption. All varieties of shellfish were labeled as unclean and not appropriate for eating (Leviticus 11:9-12).

Birds or “winged” creatures (Leviticus 11:13-19; Deuteronomy 14:11-20) were included in the Israelite diet. Birds of prey and scavengers, known to carry and spread diseases, were considered unclean. Winged insects that crawl on the ground were also unclean and forbidden for consumption “All winged insects that creep, going upon all fours, are an abomination to you.”, (Leviticus 11:20,23) “But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, are an abomination to you.”, (Leviticus 11:20,23); however, those with jointed legs for hopping were considered clean and permissible for consumption (Leviticus 11:21-22).

Examples of clean animals specified in the Old Testament:

• Land animals – cattle, sheep, goats, oxen, deer, gazelles, addaxes, and antelopes

• Aquatic creatures – fish with fins and scales

• Birds – doves, pigeons, fowl, and most flying birds

• Insects – locusts, crickets, grasshoppers