Leviticus 11:9 - “‘These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 11:9

What does "Leviticus 11:9" mean?


Leviticus 11:9 is part of the dietary laws given to the Israelites, often referred to as Kashrut or Kosher laws in Judaism. This verse specifically deals with which sea creatures are permissible to eat.

The Verse's Meaning:

The verse states that of all the creatures living in water (seas and rivers), only those that possess both fins and scales are considered clean and acceptable for consumption.

In simpler terms:

Fins: The appendages that fish use for swimming and maneuvering.
Scales: The small, bony plates covering the skin of many fish.

Therefore, according to this verse, if a water animal has both fins and scales, it's considered kosher (or permissible to eat according to these laws). If it lacks either fins or scales, it is considered treif (not kosher/unclean and not permitted to eat).

Examples:

Kosher (Permissible): Salmon, tuna, cod, trout, carp, herring. These all have both fins and scales.
Non-Kosher (Not Permissible): Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, oysters), squid, octopus, catfish, sharks. These lack either fins or scales, or both.

Significance:

This verse is a fundamental part of Jewish dietary law. Observant Jews adhere to these rules as a way of following God's commandments and maintaining spiritual purity. The reasons behind these laws are complex and debated, but often involve considerations of hygiene, tradition, and symbolic distinctions between what is considered sacred and profane.

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