Leviticus 11: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Leviticus 11 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, instructing them to tell the children of Israel what living things they may eat (vv. 1-2). Animals that part the hoof, are cloven-footed, and chew the cud are clean and may be eaten (vv.

Key verse

“For I am Yahweh your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth.”
Leviticus 11:44 (WEB)

Outline

Leviticus 11:1–2 God's Instructions to Moses and Aaron
Leviticus 11:3–8 Clean and Unclean Land Animals
Leviticus 11:9–12 Clean and Unclean Water Creatures
Leviticus 11:13–19 Unclean Birds Listed
Leviticus 11:20–23 Guidelines for Insects
Leviticus 11:24–28 Consequences of Contact with Unclean Animals
Leviticus 11:29–47 Further Unclean Creatures and the Call to Holiness

Discussion questions

What types of animals are identified as 'unclean' in vv. 4-8?
In v9, what characteristics define the sea creatures that may be eaten?
The phrase 'you shall detest them' in v11: what underlying principle might this convey about the Israelites' relationship to these creatures?
In v44, why does Yahweh emphasize 'for I am holy' in the context of dietary laws?
When have you felt the need to maintain boundaries like the Israelites did with 'unclean' animals (v43)?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Leviticus 11: 1 Peter 1, Deuteronomy 14, Leviticus 20.

Before next time: read Leviticus 12.