Unlocking the Bible's Secrets: What Are Clean and Unclean Foods

Clean and Unclean Foods in the Bible

Clean Land Animals: According to Scripture, clean land animals must both chew the cud and have split hooves. This includes animals like cows, sheep, and goats. These animals were commonly domesticated and are still seen as a healthy source of food today.

Clean Sea Creatures: Fish must have fins and scales to be considered clean. Examples are salmon, cod, and tilapia. Sea creatures like shrimp, crabs, and lobsters, which don’t have these characteristics, are classified as unclean.

Clean Birds: Certain birds, like chickens, doves, and quail, are clean. In contrast, birds of prey like eagles and vultures, which feed on other animals and carcasses, are unclean.

The laws of clean and unclean foods point to a higher spiritual truth: that God is more concerned with the state of our hearts than with our dietary choices. Yes, we should take care of our bodies because they are temples of the Holy Spirit, but God’s ultimate desire is for us to walk in holiness and love, reflecting His character in all that we do.

However, there are still valuable lessons to learn from these dietary guidelines. Many people today still choose to avoid unclean animals like pork and shellfish for health reasons. Whether you follow these guidelines for personal health or spiritual discipline, it’s always beneficial to seek God’s wisdom in all areas of life.