31 Of all those that move along the ground, these are unclean for you. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean till evening.
31 These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.
31 These are unclean to you among all that swarm. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until the evening.
31 Among the crawling creatures, these are unclean for you. If you touch them when they are dead, you are ritually unclean until evening.
31 These are unclean to you among all that creep. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening.
31 All these small animals are unclean for you. If any of you touch the dead body of such an animal, you will be defiled until evening.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 11:31
Chapter Contents
What animals were clean and unclean.
These laws seem to have been intended, 1. As a test of the people's obedience, as Adam was forbidden to eat of the tree of knowledge; and to teach them self-denial, and the government of their appetites. 2. To keep the Israelites distinct from other nations. Many also of these forbidden animals were objects of superstition and idolatry to the heathen. 3. The people were taught to make distinctions between the holy and unholy in their companions and intimate connexions. 4. The law forbad, not only the eating of the unclean beasts, but the touching of them. Those who would be kept from any sin, must be careful to avoid all temptations to it, or coming near it. The exceptions are very minute, and all were designed to call forth constant care and exactness in their obedience; and to teach us to obey. Whilst we enjoy our Christian liberty, and are free from such burdensome observances, we must be careful not to abuse our liberty. For the Lord hath redeemed and called his people, that they may be holy, even as he is holy. We must come out, and be separate from the world; we must leave the company of the ungodly, and all needless connexions with those who are dead in sin; we must be zealous of good works devoted followers of God, and companions of his people.