Leviticus 11:21
New International Version
There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground.

New Living Translation
You may, however, eat winged insects that walk along the ground and have jointed legs so they can jump.

English Standard Version
Yet among the winged insects that go on all fours you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to hop on the ground.

Berean Standard Bible
However, you may eat the following kinds of flying insects that walk on all fours: those having jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground.

King James Bible
Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;

New King James Version
Yet these you may eat of every flying insect that creeps on all fours: those which have jointed legs above their feet with which to leap on the earth.

New American Standard Bible
Yet these you may eat among all the winged insects that walk on all fours: those which have jointed legs above their feet with which to jump on the earth.

NASB 1995
Yet these you may eat among all the winged insects which walk on all fours: those which have above their feet jointed legs with which to jump on the earth.

NASB 1977
‘Yet these you may eat among all the winged insects which walk on all fours: those which have above their feet jointed legs with which to jump on the earth.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yet these you may eat among all the swarming things that fly and that walk on all fours: those which have above their feet jointed legs with which to jump on the earth.

Amplified Bible
yet of all winged insects that walk on all fours you may eat those which have legs above their feet with which to leap on the ground.

Christian Standard Bible
But you may eat these kinds of all the winged insects that walk on all fours: those that have jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But you may eat these kinds of all the winged insects that walk on all fours: those that have jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground.

American Standard Version
Yet these may ye eat of all winged creeping things that go upon all fours, which have legs above their feet, wherewith to leap upon the earth.

English Revised Version
Yet these may ye eat of all winged creeping things that go upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, you may eat winged insects that swarm if they use their legs to hop on the ground.

Good News Translation
except those that hop.

International Standard Version
However, you may eat winged creatures that crawl on four legs that extend over its head and by which it hops on the ground.

Majority Standard Bible
However, you may eat the following kinds of flying insects that walk on all fours: those having jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground.

NET Bible
However, this you may eat from all the winged swarming things that walk on all fours, which have jointed legs to hop with on the land.

New Heart English Bible
Yet you may eat these: of all winged crawling creatures that go on all fours, which have legs above their feet, with which to hop on the earth.

Webster's Bible Translation
Yet these may ye eat, of every flying creeping animal that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap with upon the earth;

World English Bible
Yet you may eat these: of all winged creeping things that go on all fours, which have long, jointed legs for hopping on the earth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Only, this you eat of any teeming thing which is flying, which is going on four, which has legs above its feet, to move with them on the earth;

Young's Literal Translation
'Only -- this ye do eat of any teeming thing which is flying, which is going on four, which hath legs above its feet, to move with them on the earth;

Smith's Literal Translation
But this ye shall eat, from every creeping bird going upon four, to which legs from above its feet to spring with them upon the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But whatsoever walketh upon four feet, but hath the legs behind longer, wherewith it hoppeth upon the earth,

Catholic Public Domain Version
But whatever certainly walks upon four feet, and also has longer legs behind, with which it hops upon the earth,

New American Bible
But of the various winged insects that walk on all fours you may eat those that have legs jointed above their feet for leaping on the ground;

New Revised Standard Version
But among the winged insects that walk on all fours you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to leap on the ground.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Yet these things you may eat of every flying insect that goes upon all fours, which have legs above their feet with which to leap on the earth;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And eat these things from every offspring of insects that walks on four that has legs over its feet, that scratches with them in the earth;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Yet these may ye eat of all winged swarming things that go upon all fours, which have jointed legs above their feet, wherewith to leap upon the earth;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But these ye shall eat of the creeping winged animals, which go upon four feet, which have legs above their feet, to leap with on the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
20All flying insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you. 21However, you may eat the following kinds of flying insects that walk on all fours: those having jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground. 22Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper.…

Cross References
Acts 10:12-15
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. / Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” ...

Deuteronomy 14:19-20
All flying insects are unclean for you; they may not be eaten. / But you may eat any clean bird.

Mark 7:18-19
“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)

Genesis 7:2-3
You are to take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate; a pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate; / and seven pairs of every kind of bird of the air, male and female, to preserve their offspring on the face of all the earth.

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

Romans 14:14
I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

1 Timothy 4:4-5
For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Genesis 1:24-25
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, land crawlers, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. / God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that crawls upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Ezekiel 4:14
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”

Isaiah 66:17
“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.

1 Corinthians 10:25-26
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, / for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

Genesis 9:3
Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things.

Acts 15:28-29
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: / You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

Romans 14:20
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.


Treasury of Scripture

Yet these may you eat of every flying creeping thing that goes on all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap with on the earth;

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Animal Creatures Creeping Earth Eat Feet Flying Four Four-Footed Fours Ground Hopping However Insects Legs Move Swarming Teeming Wherewith Winged Withal
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Leviticus 11
1. What animals may be eaten
4. and what may not be eaten
9. What fishes
13. What fowls
29. The creeping things which are unclean














However
This word introduces an exception to the previous prohibitions regarding unclean animals. In Hebrew, the word is often translated from "אַךְ" (akh), which serves to contrast or limit what has been previously stated. It signifies a shift in the narrative, highlighting God's grace and provision even within the boundaries of the law. This reminds us of the balance between divine holiness and mercy, where God provides for His people within the framework of His commandments.

you may eat
The permission granted here is significant. In Hebrew, "תֹּאכְלוּ" (tokhlu) is used, which is a form of the verb "to eat." This allowance underscores God's concern for the dietary needs of His people, ensuring they have sustenance while maintaining ritual purity. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God as a provider, who cares for the physical and spiritual well-being of His followers.

the following kinds of winged creatures
The phrase refers to specific types of insects that are permissible to eat. In the Hebrew text, "מִכֹּל שֶׁרֶץ הָעוֹף" (mikkol sheretz ha'of) is used, indicating a subset of flying creatures. This distinction highlights the importance of discernment and obedience in the life of a believer, as not all creatures are deemed clean. It serves as a metaphor for the need to distinguish between what is holy and profane in our spiritual walk.

that walk on all fours
This description might seem contradictory since insects typically have six legs. However, the phrase "הַהֹלֵךְ עַל אַרְבַּע" (haholekh al arba) can be understood as a general description of their movement. It emphasizes the need for careful observation and understanding of God's laws, as they may not always align with human logic or expectations. This calls believers to trust in God's wisdom and guidance.

those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground
The specific characteristic of "jointed legs" (in Hebrew, "כְּרָעַיִם מִמַּעַל לְרַגְלָיו" - kera'ayim mimma'al leraglav) identifies permissible insects like locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers. These creatures are not only clean but also symbolize resilience and provision. Historically, locusts were a common food source in the ancient Near East, providing protein and sustenance. Spiritually, this can inspire believers to recognize God's provision in unexpected forms and to be adaptable and resilient in their faith journey.

(21) Of every flying creeping thing.--Rather, of all winged creeping things. Having laid down the general rule that those creatures which creep along upon their feet in the manner of quadrupeds, and which have also wings, must not be eaten, the Lawgiver now mentions those which form an exception.

Which have legs above their feet.--Better, which have knees above their hinder legs, that is, those which have the third or hindmost pair of legs much longer and stronger than ordinary insects. Those insects, therefore, in whose hindermost legs the second joint is much larger and stronger, whereby they are enabled to leap or raise themselves up with great force and leap a great distance upon the earth, are excepted. These are the locusts. The canonical law which obtained during the second Temple defines more minutely the characteristics of clean locusts. A clean locust we are told has (1) four front feet, (2) four wings, (3) two springing feet, and (4) the wings so long and broad that they cover the greater portion of the back body of the insect. If it possesses these four characteristics it is clean, whether it is with a tail or without it, and whether it has an oblong or round head.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
However,
אַ֤ךְ (’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

you may eat
תֹּֽאכְל֔וּ (tō·ḵə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

the following
זֶה֙ (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

kinds of
מִכֹּל֙ (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

winged
הָע֔וֹף (hā·‘ō·wp̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5775: Flying creatures

creatures
שֶׁ֣רֶץ (še·reṣ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8318: A swarm, active mass of minute animals

that walk
הַהֹלֵ֖ךְ (ha·hō·lêḵ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all fours:
אַרְבַּ֑ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702: Four

those having jointed legs
כְרָעַ֙יִם֙ (ḵə·rā·‘a·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 3767: The leg, of men, locusts

above
מִמַּ֣עַל (mim·ma·‘al)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

their feet
לְרַגְלָ֔יו (lə·raḡ·lāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

for hopping
לְנַתֵּ֥ר (lə·nat·têr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5425: To jump, be violently agitated, to terrify, shake off, untie

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the ground—
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Law: Leviticus 11:21 Yet you may eat these: of all (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 11:20
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