Thematic Bible: Unclean


Thematic Bible



Say to the Israelites: These are the animals which you may eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, any of these animals you may eat.

Concerning all the animals which divide the hoof, but do not have a split hoof, or which do not chew the cud, they are unclean to you; whoever touches them becomes unclean. Verse ConceptsSanitation, FoodTouching Unclean ThingsCleft HoofsNoting What Animals Eat

Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud or divide the hoof: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you. And the coney or rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you. And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you. read more.
And the swine, because it divides the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud; it is unclean to you. Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean to you.

Turn and take up your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the South (the Negeb), and on the coast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. Behold, I have set the land before you; go in and take possession of the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their descendants after them.

And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you. Verse ConceptsUnclean SpiritsCleft HoofsNoting What Animals EatUnclean Animals

However, you are not to eat any of these [animals] among those which chew the cud, or among those that divide the hoof in two: the camel, the hare and the shaphan, for though they chew the cud, they do not split the hoof; they are unclean for you. Verse ConceptsBadgersAnimals, Types OfUnclean SpiritsRock BadgerUnclean Animals


They will be given over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.


“Sustain me with raisin cakes,
Refresh me with apples,
Because I am sick with love.
Verse ConceptsLove Towards Christ, The Nature Of

Nevertheless, you are not to eat these, among those which chew the cud or divide the hoof: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is [ceremonially] unclean to you. Verse ConceptsCamelsUnclean SpiritsCleft HoofsNoting What Animals EatUnclean Animals

Rebekah also raised her eyes and looked, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from her camel. Verse ConceptsDismountingSeeing People


“Those who [vainly attempt to] sanctify and cleanse themselves to go to the gardens [to sacrifice to idols],
Following after one in the center,
Who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things and mice,
Will come to an end together,” says the Lord.
Verse ConceptsAbominationsGarden, NaturalAbominations, Ceremonial MattersMiceSwineAbstaining From MeatsDesecrationPeople EndedForbidden FoodEating Meatpork

‘These also are unclean to you among the swarming things that crawl around on the ground [and multiply profusely]: the mole, the mouse, and any kind of great lizard, Verse ConceptsAnimals, Types OfMiceAccording To Its KindLizardsMolesMany CreaturesKinds Of Living Things

So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons got up, and every man mounted his mule and fled. Verse ConceptsMulesBackAnimals, Types OfRiding Mules

Every man brought a gift [of tribute]: articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year. Verse ConceptsMulesGiftsHerbs And SpicesRobesUnceasingAlways Being ActivePeople Giving ClothesAcquiring Horses

And the shaphan, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you. Verse ConceptsBadgersAnimals, Types OfUnclean SpiritsCleft HoofsNoting What Animals EatRock BadgerUnclean Animals


The high mountains are for the wild goats;
The rocks are a refuge for the shephanim.
Verse ConceptsBadgersWild GoatRock Badger

the gecko, the crocodile, the lizard, the sand reptile, and the chameleon. Verse ConceptsAnimals, Types OfLizards


In that day men will throw away to the moles and to the bats
Their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
Which they made for themselves [as objects] to worship,
Verse ConceptsGoldThrowing AwayAnimals, Types OfBatsMolesAbandoning Idols

And the swine, because it divides the hoof and makes a split hoof, but does not chew the cud; it is unclean to you. Verse ConceptsSwineAbstaining From MeatsPigsUnclean SpiritsCleft HoofsNoting What Animals EatUnclean Animalspork


“Those who [vainly attempt to] sanctify and cleanse themselves to go to the gardens [to sacrifice to idols],
Following after one in the center,
Who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things and mice,
Will come to an end together,” says the Lord.
Verse ConceptsAbominationsGarden, NaturalAbominations, Ceremonial MattersMiceSwineAbstaining From MeatsDesecrationPeople EndedForbidden FoodEating Meatpork

rams’ skins dyed red, porpoise skins, acacia wood, Verse ConceptsRamsAnimals, Types OfDyeingAnimal SkinsRed Material

I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet; and I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk. Verse ConceptsBarefeetCoveringBadgersClothembroideryLinenSandalsShoesAnimal SkinsGod Clothing PeopleThe Brides Wedding Dressroyalty

So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and then he got up and went to the place of which God had told him. Verse ConceptsAbrahamDonkeysMorningAnimals, Types OfRising EarlySplitting WoodFirewoodThose Who Rose EarlyPreparing To TravelSaddling DonkeysTwo Other Men

saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and at once you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. Verse ConceptsDonkeysRopesAnimal OffspringOpposite SidesEntering CitiesFinding ThingsBinding As Animals

They also brought the barley and straw for the horses and swift steeds (warhorses, chargers) to the place where it was needed, each man according to his assignment. Verse ConceptsGrainFeeding Animals

He wrote [a decree] in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on the royal [mail] relay horses, the offspring of the racing mares. Verse ConceptsMulesSealing The MessageRiding Horses

But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. Verse ConceptsSatan, Compared With AnimalsUnfaithful MinistersScattered Like SheepMen Similar To AnimalsWolvesPeople Abandoning People


“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
In the morning he devours the prey,
And at night he divides the spoil.”
Verse ConceptsWolvesIn The MorningDividing PlunderFierce Men

“You shall be holy men to Me; therefore you shall not eat meat [from any animal] that has been torn to pieces [by predators] in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs. Verse ConceptsAnimals, religious role ofdogsPeople Of God, In OtAnimals, Types OfAnimals Torn To PiecesA Holy NationForbidden FoodPets

So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management [of my affairs], for you can no longer be [my] manager.’ Verse ConceptsOthers SummoningPropertyaccounting


“Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass?
Or does the ox low over his fodder?
Verse ConceptsGrassWild DonkeysNeighing And BrayingWisdomlegacy

Who has sent out the wild donkey, giving him his freedom? Or who has loosed the bands of the swift donkey [by which his tame brother is bound -- "he, the shy, the swift-footed, and the untamable], Whose home I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place? He scorns the tumult of the city and hears not the shoutings of the taskmaster. read more.
The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searches after every green thing.


“Come away with me from Lebanon, my [promised] bride,
May you come with me from Lebanon.
Journey down from the top of Amana,
From the summit of Senir and Hermon,
From the dens of lions,
From the mountains of leopards.
Verse ConceptsLeopard

If it is any unclean animal of the kind which men do not present as an offering to the Lord, then he shall bring the animal before the priest,

‘These also are unclean to you among the swarming things that crawl around on the ground [and multiply profusely]: the mole, the mouse, and any kind of great lizard, Verse ConceptsAnimals, Types OfMiceAccording To Its KindLizardsMolesMany CreaturesKinds Of Living Things

the gecko, the crocodile, the lizard, the sand reptile, and the chameleon. Verse ConceptsAnimals, Types OfLizards

Concerning all the animals which divide the hoof, but do not have a split hoof, or which do not chew the cud, they are unclean to you; whoever touches them becomes unclean. Verse ConceptsSanitation, FoodTouching Unclean ThingsCleft HoofsNoting What Animals Eat

Or if someone touches any [ceremonially] unclean thing—whether the carcass of an unclean wild animal or the carcass of an unclean domestic animal or the carcass of unclean creeping things—even if he is unaware of it, he has become unclean, and he will be guilty. Verse ConceptsLivestockCarcass, Literal UseContaminationIgnorance Of EvilPeople Being PollutedRules About CorpsesGuiltpork

Every firstborn of the womb of all flesh, whether it is man or animal, which they bring to the Lord, shall be yours; nevertheless, the firstborn of man you shall most certainly redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem. Verse ConceptsFirstbornAnimals, religious role ofWomb


“God brought them out of Egypt;
They have the strength of a wild ox.
Verse ConceptsHorns VictoriousWild OxGod Bringing Israel Out Of EgyptUnicornsGuidance And Strength

And Hushai said, “You know your father and his men, that they are brave men, and they are enraged and fierce, like a bear deprived of her cubs in the field. Your father is a [shrewd] man of war, and will not spend the night with the people [knowing that you seek his life]. Verse ConceptsMiddle AgeBearsBereavementFierce MenReady For War

Then Samson and his father and mother went down to Timnah and came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion as he would have torn a kid, and he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.

For the king had at sea the [large cargo] ships of Tarshish with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, monkeys, and peacocks. Verse ConceptsGoldIvorySilverCommerceThree YearsShips For TradingEvery Three YearsTrade With MetalsPetssailing

Have you given the horse his might? Have you clothed his neck with quivering and a shaking mane? Was it you [Job] who made him to leap like a locust? The majesty of his [snorting] nostrils is terrible. He paws in the valley and exults in his strength; he goes out to meet the weapons [of armed men]. read more.
He mocks at fear and is not dismayed or terrified; neither does he turn back [in battle] from the sword. The quiver rattles upon him, as do the glittering spear and the lance [of his rider]. [He seems in running to] devour the ground with fierceness and rage; neither can he stand still at the sound of the [war] trumpet. As often as the trumpet sounds he says, Ha, ha! And he smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.


“Behold now, Behemoth, which I created as well as you;
He eats grass like an ox.
Verse ConceptsCreation, Origin OfGrassAnimals EatingDinosaursmuscles



“The path [deep within] no bird of prey knows,
And the falcon’s eye has not caught sight of it.
Verse ConceptsVulturesFalconsUnknown ThingsBirds


There the arrow snake will make her nest and lay her eggs,
And hatch them and gather her young under her protection;
Indeed, the birds of prey will be gathered there [to breed],
Every one with its own kind.
Verse ConceptsNestsWingsVulturesFalcons

‘These you shall detest among the birds; they are not to be eaten, for they are hated things: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard, Verse ConceptsAbominationsEaglesBirds, Types Of BirdsVulturesForbidden FoodHating UncleannessBirdsfitness

the little owl and the cormorant and the great owl, Verse ConceptsBirds, Types Of BirdsOwls

the little owl and the cormorant and the great owl, Verse ConceptsBirds, Types Of BirdsOwls


But the pelican and the porcupine will take possession of it;
The owl and the raven will dwell in it.
And He will stretch over it (Edom) the measuring line of desolation
And the plumb line of emptiness.
Verse ConceptsChaosRavensPlumb LineCrowsOwlsPelicansHedgehogsDwellings Of CreaturesOther Dwellings Of CreaturesChaos As Judgment



Where the birds make their nests;
As for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
Verse ConceptsNestsBirds, Types Of BirdsBirds

the white owl, the pelican, the carrion vulture, Verse ConceptsWhiteVulturesOwlsPelicans


I am like a [mournful] vulture of the wilderness;
I am like a [desolate] owl of the wasteland.
Verse ConceptsArchaeologyBirds, Types Of BirdsOwlsPelicans


In that day men will throw away to the moles and to the bats
Their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
Which they made for themselves [as objects] to worship,
Verse ConceptsGoldThrowing AwayAnimals, Types OfBatsMolesAbandoning Idols



But the pelican and the porcupine will take possession of it;
The owl and the raven will dwell in it.
And He will stretch over it (Edom) the measuring line of desolation
And the plumb line of emptiness.
Verse ConceptsChaosRavensPlumb LineCrowsOwlsPelicansHedgehogsDwellings Of CreaturesOther Dwellings Of CreaturesChaos As Judgment

“I will also make Babylon a possession of the hedgehog and of swamps of water, and I will sweep it away with the broom of destruction,” declares the Lord of hosts. Verse ConceptsAnimals, Types OfPoolsThreateningsHedgehogsSweepingdistractions

‘These you shall detest among the birds; they are not to be eaten, for they are hated things: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard, Verse ConceptsAbominationsEaglesBirds, Types Of BirdsVulturesForbidden FoodHating UncleannessBirdsfitness


“Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up
And makes his nest on high [in an inaccessible place]?
Verse ConceptsNestsCommands, in OTBirds, Types Of BirdsEaglessoaring



the little owl and the cormorant and the great owl, Verse ConceptsBirds, Types Of BirdsOwls


“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars,
Stretching his wings toward the south [as winter approaches]?
Verse ConceptsSouthBirds, Types Of BirdsHawksFacing SouthFalconsflyingsoaring



“I am a brother to [howling] jackals,
And a companion to ostriches [which scream dismally].
Verse ConceptsBirds, Types Of BirdsOstricheslonliness

For the king had at sea the [large cargo] ships of Tarshish with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, monkeys, and peacocks. Verse ConceptsGoldIvorySilverCommerceThree YearsShips For TradingEvery Three YearsTrade With MetalsPetssailing


“The [flightless] wings of the ostrich wave joyously;
With the pinion (shackles, fetters) and plumage of love,
Verse ConceptsJoy, And Human ExperienceWingsWings Of BirdsFeathersOstriches


“The [flightless] wings of the ostrich wave joyously;
With the pinion (shackles, fetters) and plumage of love,
Verse ConceptsJoy, And Human ExperienceWingsWings Of BirdsFeathersOstriches


“Yet when she lifts herself on high,
[So swift is she that] she laughs at the horse and his rider.
Verse ConceptsLaughterSpeed

and the red kite, the falcon, and the birds of prey of any variety, Verse ConceptsBirds, Types Of BirdsVulturesFalconsKinds Of Living Things

‘These you shall detest among the birds; they are not to be eaten, for they are hated things: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard, Verse ConceptsAbominationsEaglesBirds, Types Of BirdsVulturesForbidden FoodHating UncleannessBirdsfitness

the little owl and the cormorant and the great owl, Verse ConceptsBirds, Types Of BirdsOwls

the white owl, the pelican, the carrion vulture, Verse ConceptsWhiteVulturesOwlsPelicans

the little owl and the cormorant and the great owl, Verse ConceptsBirds, Types Of BirdsOwls


‘These you shall detest among the birds; they are not to be eaten, for they are hated things: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard, Verse ConceptsAbominationsEaglesBirds, Types Of BirdsVulturesForbidden FoodHating UncleannessBirdsfitness




the white owl, the pelican, the carrion vulture, Verse ConceptsWhiteVulturesOwlsPelicans


Nevertheless, you are not to eat these, among those which chew the cud or divide the hoof: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is [ceremonially] unclean to you. Verse ConceptsCamelsUnclean SpiritsCleft HoofsNoting What Animals EatUnclean Animals

However, you are not to eat any of these [animals] among those which chew the cud, or among those that divide the hoof in two: the camel, the hare and the shaphan, for though they chew the cud, they do not split the hoof; they are unclean for you. Verse ConceptsBadgersAnimals, Types OfUnclean SpiritsRock BadgerUnclean Animals



For we all have become like one who is [ceremonially] unclean [like a leper],
And all our deeds of righteousness are like filthy rags;
We all wither and decay like a leaf,
And our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing], like the wind, takes us away [carrying us far from God’s favor, toward destruction].
Verse ConceptsCoolFilthinessImperfection, Influence OfJustification, Necessity OfRagsRighteousness, As FaithSalvation, Necessity And Basis OfSanctification, Nature And BasisSelf Righteousness, And The GospelSin, Effects OfThe Sin NatureHelplessnessThe Frailty Of ManSalvation Not By WorksClothed With RighteousnessPeople WitheredPeople Being UncleanMenstruationRighteousnessGarmentsJustification Is Not By Works

Or if someone touches any [ceremonially] unclean thing—whether the carcass of an unclean wild animal or the carcass of an unclean domestic animal or the carcass of unclean creeping things—even if he is unaware of it, he has become unclean, and he will be guilty. Verse ConceptsLivestockCarcass, Literal UseContaminationIgnorance Of EvilPeople Being PollutedRules About CorpsesGuiltpork

‘All winged insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you; Verse ConceptsAbominationsClean And UncleanGod Hating Thingsbugs

These also are unclean to you among the creeping things [that multiply greatly] and creep upon the ground: the weasel, the mouse, any kind of great lizard, The gecko, the land crocodile, the lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon. These are unclean to you among all that creep; whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until the evening. read more.
And upon whatever they may fall when they are dead, it shall be unclean, whether it is an article of wood or clothing or skin (bottle) or sack, any vessel in which work is done; it must be put in water, and it shall be unclean until the evening; so it shall be cleansed. And every earthen vessel into which any of these [creeping things] falls, whatever may be in it shall be unclean, and you shall break the vessel. Of all the food [in one of these unclean vessels] which may be eaten, that on which such water comes shall be unclean, and all drink that may be drunk from every such vessel shall be unclean. And everything upon which any part of their carcass falls shall be unclean; whether an oven, or pan with a lid, or hearth for pots, it shall be broken in pieces; they are unclean, and shall be unclean to you. Yet a spring or a cistern or reservoir of water shall be clean; but whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean. If a part of their carcass falls on seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean; But if any water be put on the seed and any part of their carcass falls on it, it shall be unclean to you. If any animal of which you may eat dies [unslaughtered], he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening. And he who eats of its carcass [ignorantly] shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening; he also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. And everything that creeps on the ground and [multiplies in] swarms shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has more [than four] feet among all things that creep on the ground and swarm you shall not eat; for they are detestable. You shall not make yourselves loathsome and abominable [by eating] any swarming thing that [multiplies by] swarms, neither shall you make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled by them. For I am the Lord your God; so consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am holy; neither defile yourselves with any manner of thing that multiplies in large numbers or swarms.

And all flying insects are unclean for you; they shall not be eaten. Verse ConceptsInsectsClean And Uncleanbugs

He [eagerly] longed to eat the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Verse ConceptsdogsTablesTongueCrumbsSeeking FoodRemaining FoodPetsAbscessFeeding The Poorlazarus

The thing spoken of in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mire.” Verse ConceptsdogsWicked Described AsDegradationSwinePigsUnclean SpiritsOld SayingsUnclean AnimalsBacksliderspork

‘These you shall detest among the birds; they are not to be eaten, for they are hated things: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard, Verse ConceptsAbominationsEaglesBirds, Types Of BirdsVulturesForbidden FoodHating UncleannessBirdsfitness

But these are the ones which you shall not eat: the eagle, the vulture, and the black buzzard, Verse ConceptsEaglesVultures


and the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk of any variety, Verse ConceptsHornsHawksFalconsOstrichesOwlsSeagullsKinds Of Living Things


“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars,
Stretching his wings toward the south [as winter approaches]?
Verse ConceptsSouthBirds, Types Of BirdsHawksFacing SouthFalconsflyingsoaring

the little owl, the great owl, the long-eared owl, Verse ConceptsOwls

The ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, every species of hawk, The owl, the cormorant, the ibis,

Therefore, be careful not to drink wine or [any other] intoxicating drink, and do not eat anything [ceremonially] unclean. Verse ConceptsAbstinence as a disciplineAbstinenceAlcoholStrong DrinkPollution ForbiddenDrinking No WineAlcoholic BeveragesAlcoholicsbeeralcoholism

Nevertheless, you are not to eat these, among those which chew the cud or divide the hoof: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is [ceremonially] unclean to you. Verse ConceptsCamelsUnclean SpiritsCleft HoofsNoting What Animals EatUnclean Animals


He shall not eat that which dies [of natural causes] or is torn by a predator, becoming unclean by it; I am the Lord. Verse ConceptsAnimals, religious role ofAnimals Torn To PiecesDeath Of CreaturesCorpses Of AnimalsI Am The LordForbidden Foodnatural DeathDeath Of A Family MemberEating Meat

But Peter said, “Not at all, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common (unholy) and [ceremonially] unclean.” Verse ConceptsHoliness,  Worldly SeparationUnclean SpiritsFar Be It!Forbidden FoodLack Of HolinessDefilementEating Meatporkbugspeter

“You shall not eat anything that is detestable [to the Lord and forbidden by Him]. Verse ConceptsPurity, Nature OfDisgustEating Forbidden Food

but you may not eat anything that does not have fins and scales; it is unclean for you. Verse ConceptsUnclean SpiritsUnclean AnimalsFish

She may not eat anything that comes from the vine nor drink wine or [any other] intoxicating drink, nor eat anything [ceremonially] unclean. She shall observe everything that I commanded her.” Verse ConceptsStrong DrinkPollution ForbiddenDrinking No WineAlcoholic Beverages

You shall not eat anything that is abominable [to the Lord and so forbidden by Him]. These are the beasts which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, The hart, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. read more.
And every beast that parts the hoof and has it divided into two and brings up and chews the cud among the beasts you may eat. Yet these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud or have the hoof split in two: the camel, the hare, and the coney, because they chew the cud but divide not the hoof; they are unclean for you. And the swine, because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud; it is unclean to you. You shall not eat of their flesh or touch their dead bodies. These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales you may eat, And whatever has not fins and scales you may not eat; it is unclean for you. Of all clean birds you may eat. But these are the ones which you shall not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the ospray, The buzzard, the kite in its several species, The raven in all its species, The ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any variety, The little owl, the great owl, the horned owl, The pelican, the carrion vulture, the cormorant, The stork, the heron of any variety, the hoopoe, and the bat. And all flying insects are unclean for you; they shall not be eaten. But of all clean winged things you may eat.