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Leviticus 17:15
And every soul that eateth that which diedof itself, or that which was tornwith beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathehimself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.

Exodus 22:31
And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eatany fleshthat is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.

Deuteronomy 14:21
Ye shall not eatof any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger thatis in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thouart an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.

which would make him unclean
The concept of uncleanness in Leviticus is both physical and spiritual, affecting one's ability to participate in religious activities. Eating unclean food would defile a person, making them unfit for worship and service in the tabernacle. This reflects the broader biblical principle that God is holy, and His people must also strive for holiness (Leviticus 11:44-45). The laws of cleanliness served as a constant reminder of the need for purity in approaching God. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills and transcends these laws, emphasizing inner purity over ritual observance (Mark 7:18-23).

I am the LORD
This declaration serves as a divine signature, affirming the authority and sanctity of the command. It reminds the Israelites that their obedience to the law is not merely a cultural or social obligation but a covenantal duty to their God. The phrase "I am the LORD" appears frequently in Leviticus, reinforcing God's sovereignty and the relationship between Him and His people. It underscores that the laws are not arbitrary but are rooted in God's character and His desire for His people to reflect His holiness. This statement also points to the ultimate fulfillment of the law in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the holiness and righteousness of God (Matthew 5:17).

The command begins with a clear “must not.” For the priests, holiness included even their food choices. Eating an animal that simply died on its own was forbidden.

•Deuteronomy 14:21 echoes this restriction for the nation at large, yet priests—whose work placed them nearest God’s presence—were expected to model it without exception.

•Ezekiel 44:31 revisits the rule for future temple service, showing it was not a temporary custom but a continuing standard of purity.

• The principle reminds us that serving God involves daily, practical obedience in seemingly small matters (Luke 16:10).

The verse widens the ban to meat ripped by predators. Such flesh was likely contaminated and symbolized disorder and death—opposite of the life and order God intends.

•Exodus 22:31 told all Israel, “You must be My holy people. Therefore you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you are to throw it to the dogs”. The priests, again, were held to the highest bar.

•Leviticus 17:15 allowed ordinary Israelites to wash and wait until evening if they accidentally ate this kind of meat, but priests could not risk even accidental defilement because they handled sacred offerings (Leviticus 21:6).

The issue is not merely dietary preference; it is ceremonial purity. To ingest death made a person unfit to approach the living God.

•Leviticus 11:24-28 shows that contact with dead animals already transferred uncleanness; eating them intensified that contact.

• Touching or eating unclean things required washing and exclusion until evening (Leviticus 5:2-3; 17:15), interrupting priestly duty. God guards the purity of worship by guarding the purity of the worshiper.

• In Christ, believers are called to the same vigilance: “Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

The command closes with God’s covenant name, grounding obedience in His character.

• “Be holy, because I am holy” frames dietary laws inLeviticus 11:44-45 and resurfaces for New-Covenant believers in1 Peter 1:15-16.

• Each “I am the LORD” reminds Israel that holiness is relational: they belong to Him, and His authority is absolute (Leviticus 19:37).

• By submitting to this rule, priests testified that God—not appetite, convenience, or culture—sets the standard.

Leviticus 22:8 teaches that priests must avoid any meat that died naturally or was mauled, because consuming it would defile them and hinder their ministry. The prohibition underscores God’s call to spotless holiness in every detail, backed by His own holy name. Today, while dietary laws are fulfilled in Christ (Acts 10:14-15), the passage still urges believers who serve God to pursue practical purity, honoring the Lord who redeemed us.

Parallel Commentaries ...