They shall be an abomination to you;In the context of
Leviticus 11, God is providing dietary laws to the Israelites, distinguishing between clean and unclean animals. The term "abomination" signifies something that is detestable or loathsome. This strong language underscores the importance of holiness and separation from practices that are not in alignment with God's commands. The use of "abomination" is consistent with other parts of the Old Testament where certain practices or objects are considered detestable to God (e.g.,
Deuteronomy 7:25-26). This reflects the broader theme of holiness found throughout Leviticus, where God's people are called to be set apart.
you must not eat their meat,
The prohibition against eating certain animals is part of the dietary laws given to Israel. These laws served multiple purposes, including health, hygiene, and the symbolic representation of purity. By abstaining from unclean animals, the Israelites were reminded of their covenant relationship with God and their distinct identity as His chosen people. This command also reflects the broader biblical principle of obedience to God's law, as seen inDeuteronomy 14:3-21, where similar dietary restrictions are reiterated.
and you must detest their carcasses.
The command to detest the carcasses of unclean animals emphasizes the need for ritual purity. Contact with dead bodies, particularly those of unclean animals, rendered a person ceremonially unclean, requiring purification rituals (Leviticus 11:24-28). This reflects the broader biblical theme of life and death, where death is associated with impurity and separation from God. The detestation of carcasses can also be seen as a type of Christ, who, in His death and resurrection, overcame the impurity of death and provided a way for believers to be cleansed and made holy (Hebrews 9:13-14).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, who received the laws from God, including dietary laws.
2.
AaronMoses' brother and the first high priest, who helped communicate God's laws to the people.
3.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were given these dietary laws to set them apart from other nations.
4.
Mount SinaiThe place where God gave Moses the laws, including the dietary restrictions found in Leviticus.
5.
The WildernessThe setting where the Israelites wandered and received the laws before entering the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
Holiness and SeparationThe dietary laws were given to set the Israelites apart as a holy nation. As Christians, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness and distinctiveness.
Obedience to God's CommandsThe Israelites were required to obey God's laws as a sign of their covenant relationship. Today, obedience to God's Word remains a vital aspect of our faith journey.
Understanding AbominationThe term "abomination" (Hebrew: "sheqets") indicates something detestable or repulsive. It reminds us to detest sin and anything that separates us from God.
Spiritual DiscernmentWhile the specific dietary laws are not binding on Christians, the principle of discernment in what we consume—physically and spiritually—remains relevant.
Unity in DiversityThe New Testament teaches that dietary laws no longer separate believers. We are united in Christ, and our focus should be on love and unity rather than dietary practices.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 11:11?
2.Why are certain sea creatures considered "detestable" in Leviticus 11:11?
3.How does Leviticus 11:11 reflect God's call to holiness?
4.What New Testament passages relate to dietary laws in Leviticus 11:11?
5.How can we apply Leviticus 11:11 to modern dietary choices?
6.What does Leviticus 11:11 teach about obedience to God's commands?
7.Why does Leviticus 11:11 prohibit eating certain sea creatures?
8.How does Leviticus 11:11 reflect God's view on dietary laws?
9.What historical context influenced the dietary restrictions in Leviticus 11:11?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 11?
11.Does God disapprove of eating shrimp?
12.If Leviticus 11 is God's eternal command, why does Acts 10:9-16 appear to contradict these dietary laws?
13.Deuteronomy 14:8 forbids eating pork, but it is consumed safely today. What is the rationale behind this prohibition?
14.Acts 10:9-16 - Does Peter's vision about eating unclean animals contradict Leviticus 11 and God's previous dietary laws?What Does Leviticus 11:11 Mean
They shall be an abomination to you– The Lord Himself labels certain sea creatures (those without fins and scales, vv. 9–10) as “an abomination,” alerting Israel that they are ritually offensive.
– Calling something an abomination is more than personal distaste; it signals a divine verdict.
•Leviticus 11:43–45 reinforces that touching or eating what God rejects contaminates the worshiper.
•Isaiah 52:11 urges God’s people, “Depart, depart…touch no unclean thing,” a call echoed in2 Corinthians 6:17 for believers to separate from defilement.
– Behind the command lies God’s holiness (Leviticus 19:2;1 Peter 1:16). Israel’s diet became a daily reminder: “We belong to a God who sets boundaries and expects us to live differently.”
you must not eat their meat– Abstaining from the meat is an act of obedience, not dietary preference.
•Deuteronomy 14:3 restates, “You must not eat any detestable thing.”
• Daniel’s refusal of the royal food (Daniel 1:8) shows devotion expressed through what is— and is not—consumed.
– The New Testament later records Peter’s hesitation to eat formerly unclean animals (Acts 10:14), underscoring how ingrained these commands were. God later broadens the menu (Acts 10:15;Mark 7:19), but the principle of submitting appetite to Him endures.
– Practical lessons today:
• Let God, not culture, define what is acceptable.
• Honor Him with everyday choices (1 Corinthians 10:31).
• Remember that self-denial trains the heart to obey in larger matters (Luke 16:10).
and you must detest their carcasses– Detesting the dead bodies closes loopholes: even handling remains defiles (Leviticus 11:24-25).
•Numbers 19:11 shows similar concern over contact with human corpses.
•2 Corinthians 7:1 exhorts believers to “cleanse ourselves from all defilement of body and spirit.”
– The carcass reminds Israel of death and corruption, pictures of sin’s effect (Romans 6:23).
– Guarding against contamination teaches:
• Sin pollutes more than we think; stay clear of it (Ephesians 5:11).
• Holiness involves both what we do and what we avoid (Psalm 1:1-2).
• Respect for life includes respect for how we treat death—even animals’.
summaryLeviticus 11:11 calls God’s people to view certain creatures as detestable, abstain from eating them, and avoid even their carcasses. The verse underscores God’s holiness, the need for obedience in everyday matters, and the seriousness of defilement. Although Christ has fulfilled ceremonial boundaries, the heart of the command still pulses: belong wholly to the Lord, let Him set the standards, and keep clear of anything that would stain a life devoted to Him.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
They shall beיִהְי֣וּ(yih·yū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bean abominationוְשֶׁ֖קֶץ(wə·še·qeṣ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8263:Detestation, detestable thingto you;לָכֶ֑ם(lā·ḵem)Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrewyou must notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noeatתֹאכֵ֔לוּ(ṯō·ḵê·lū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 398:To eattheir meat,מִבְּשָׂרָם֙(mib·bə·śā·rām)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1320:Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, manand you must detestתְּשַׁקֵּֽצוּ׃(tə·šaq·qê·ṣū)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8262:To be filthy, to loathe, pollutetheir carcasses.נִבְלָתָ֖ם(niḇ·lā·ṯām)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5038:A flabby thing, a carcase, carrion, an idol
Links
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OT Law: Leviticus 11:11 And you detest them (Le Lv Lev.) 
