Clean and Unclean Animals

In the Bible, God makes a distinction between clean animals and unclean animals (Gen. 7:2, 8; 8:20). The definition of which animals are clean and unclean can be found expressed in the biblical law (Lev. 11; Deut. 14:3–21).

Land Animals

A land animal is clean if it has split hooves and ruminates, or “chews the cud” (Lev. 11:2–8; Deut. 14:4–8).

Clean land animals include: oxen, cows, sheep, goats, deer, and antelopes.

Unclean land animals include: pigs, camels, rabbits, dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, and rock badgers.

Water Animals

A water animal is clean if it has fins and scales (Lev. 11:9–12; Deut. 14:9–10).

Clean water animals include: fish.

Unclean water animals include: shellfish, frogs, and sea urchins.

Flying Animals

Generally, flying animals are clean except for the flying animals that are listed as being unclean in the biblical law (Leviticus 11:13–19; Deut. 14:11–19).

Clean flying animals include: chickens, ducks, and pigeons.

Unclean flying animals include: eagles, vultures, falcons, ravens, ostriches, hawks, seagulls, owls, storks, herons, and bats.

Swarming Animals

Generally, swarming animals are unclean except for the swarming animals that are listed as clean in the biblical law (Lev. 11:21–22).

Clean swarming animals include: Locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers.

Application

According to the Bible, we may eat the flesh of any clean animal. However, we should not touch or eat the flesh and dead bodies of unclean animals. This teaches us that our conduct as the people of God should reflect the holiness of God (Lev. 11:44–45; 1 Pet. 1:16).