In the biblical context, the consumption of pork is addressed primarily within the Old Testament, where dietary laws are established for the Israelites. The pig is classified as an unclean animal, and its consumption is explicitly prohibited in the Mosaic Law. This prohibition is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where dietary laws served as a means of setting the Israelites apart as a holy people.

Old Testament References

The primary reference to the prohibition of eating pork is found in Leviticus 11:7-8 : "And the pig, though it has a split hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you." This command is reiterated in Deuteronomy 14:8 : "And the pig, though it has a split hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses."

The dietary laws, including the prohibition against eating pork, were part of the broader Levitical code that defined ritual purity and holiness. These laws were intended to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding nations and to promote physical and spiritual cleanliness.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets also addressed the issue of eating pork, often associating it with idolatry and rebellion against God. In Isaiah 65:3-4 , God expresses His displeasure with those who engage in pagan practices: "These people continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick, sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the flesh of pigs, and putting polluted broth in their bowls."

Similarly, Isaiah 66:17 warns of judgment against those who defile themselves: "Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves, following after one in the midst of those who eat the flesh of pigs and vermin and rats, will perish together," declares the LORD.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the issue of dietary laws, including the consumption of pork, is revisited in light of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. The early church grappled with the question of whether Gentile converts were required to adhere to Jewish dietary restrictions. In Acts 10, Peter receives a vision in which God declares all foods clean, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles into the faith. Acts 10:15 states, "The voice spoke to him a second time: 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'"

The Apostle Paul further addresses the issue in his epistles, emphasizing that dietary practices should not be a source of division among believers. In Romans 14:14 , Paul writes, "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."

Cultural and Theological Implications

The prohibition against eating pork in the Old Testament reflects the broader theme of holiness and separation that characterized the Israelite identity. While the New Testament reinterprets these laws in the context of the new covenant, the underlying principle of living a life set apart for God remains central.

For conservative Christians, the discussion around dietary laws often centers on the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments. While the ceremonial aspects of the law are seen as fulfilled in Christ, the moral and ethical teachings continue to inform Christian conduct. The issue of eating pork, therefore, serves as a lens through which broader theological themes of holiness, obedience, and community identity are explored.