What Does the Bible Say Not to Eat – The Bible has a long and varied list of dietary restrictions and prohibitions that have been observed by many different cultures throughout history. In the Old Testament, the most prominent dietary restrictions are found in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, which forbid the eating of certain animals, including pigs, rabbits, and camels, as well as birds of prey and scavenging animals, such as vultures.
Additionally, shellfish, such as crabs, lobster, and shrimp, are prohibited. These restrictions are based on the belief that the consumption of these animals is unclean, and thus, impure. Furthermore, there are also restrictions on the consumption of certain parts of animals, such as blood and fat.
In the New Testament, Jesus expands on these dietary restrictions by prohibiting the consumption of food that has been offered to idols or has been strangled. Thus, for many religious believers, what not to eat boils down to following these biblical instructions.
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What Does the Bible Say Not to Eat
The Bible is a source of wisdom and guidance for many people when it comes to making decisions about how to live their lives. It contains many instructions about what to eat and what not to eat – and the Bible has been interpreted in different ways over the years. In this blog, we’ll explore the different interpretations of what the Bible says about what is an abomination, as well as explore the differences between kosher and non-kosher foods and what eating habits the Bible promotes
- Leviticus 11:7-8 – This verse states that all creatures that do not have fins and scales are an abomination and should not be eaten. This includes animals such as pigs, rabbits, and camels.
- Leviticus 11:9-12 – This verse states that all birds of prey, scavengers, and water birds are an abomination and should not be eaten. This includes animals such as eagles, hawks, and vultures.
- Leviticus 11:13-19 – This verse states that all bats, rats, lizards, geckos, and other land and sea creatures are an abomination and should not be eaten.
- Deuteronomy 14:3-8 – This verse states that all scavenger and unclean animals are an abomination and should not be eaten. This includes animals such as dogs, cats, and rodents.
- Leviticus 11:20-23 – This verse states that all winged insects that walk on all fours are an abomination and should not be eaten. This includes insects such as beetles and locusts.
- Leviticus 11:24-25 – This verse states that all creatures that swarm on the ground are an abomination and should not be eaten. This includes animals such as lice, fleas, and flies.
- Leviticus 11:26-30 – This verse states that all creatures that swam in the water and live in the water are an abomination and should not be eaten. This includes animals such as frogs, turtles, and eels.
- Leviticus 11:41-42 – This verse states that all creatures that move along the ground are an abomination and should not be eaten. This includes animals such as mice, snakes, and lizards.
- Leviticus 11:43-44 – This verse states that all creatures that live in the air and on the ground are an abomination and should not be eaten. This includes animals such as bats, owls, and crows.
- Genesis 9:3 – This verse states that all animals that are not clean are an abomination and should not be eaten. This includes animals such as bears, camels, and rabbits.
Overview of What the Bible Says Not to Eat
The Bible contains a number of passages that explicitly forbid the eating of certain foods, such as pork, shrimp, shellfish, and rabbits. Other foods that are forbidden include any animals that are not cloven-hoofed or do not chew the cud, such as camels, horses, and pigs. The Bible also forbids the eating of any creature that lives in the water, such as fish and shellfish. In addition, the Bible forbids the eating of any blood or any food that has been sacrificed to idols.
List of Unclean Food
- Pig (Leviticus 11:7): Also known as swine, the pig is considered unclean by the Bible and forbidden for consumption. This includes the flesh, fat, and even the droppings of the animal.
- Raptors (Leviticus 11:13-19): The Bible forbids the consumption of raptors or birds of prey, such as owls, eagles, and hawks.
- Sea Creatures without Fins and Scales (Leviticus 11:9-12): The Bible forbids the consumption of any sea creature without fins and scales, including shellfish, such as crabs and lobsters.
- Camel (Leviticus 11:4): The Bible forbids the consumption of camels, as well as their milk, flesh, and even their dung.
- Hare (Leviticus 11:5-6): The Bible forbids the consumption of hares, as well as their milk, flesh, and even their dung.
- Badger (Leviticus 11:5-6): The Bible forbids the consumption of badgers, as well as their milk, flesh, and even their dung.
- Most Insects (Leviticus 11:20-23): The Bible forbids the consumption of most insects, including grasshoppers, locusts, beetles, and moths.
- Rat (Leviticus 11:29): The Bible forbids the consumption of rats, as well as their milk, flesh, and even their dung.
- Fox (Leviticus 11:29): The Bible forbids the consumption of foxes, as well as their milk, flesh, and even their dung.
- Weasel (Leviticus 11:29): The Bible forbids the consumption of weasels, as well as their milk, flesh, and even their dung.
Unclean List in the Old Testament
- Pigs
- Fish without fins and scales
- Shellfish
- Birds of prey
- Reptiles
- Camels
- Certain insects
- Animals that have died of natural causes
- Blood
- Fat
- Anything sacrificed to idols
- Anything strangled
- Anything with its blood still in it
- Anything that has been offered to the gods of other religions
- Anything that has been boiled in milk
Eating Habits Described in the Bible
The Bible also contains passages that describe certain eating habits that are encouraged. These include eating food that is clean and pure, avoiding foods that are unclean or unhealthy, and abstaining from food that has been offered to idols. The Bible also encourages moderation in all eating habits, as well as eating in fellowship with other believers.
What Did Adam and Eve Eat according to the Bible?
The Bible does not go into detail about the exact diet of Adam and Eve when they were in the Garden of Eden, however, it does provide some clues about what they ate. According to Genesis 1:29-30, God gave Adam and Eve “every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you, it shall be for meat.”
This suggests that Adam and Eve ate mostly a vegetarian diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Additionally, Genesis 2:9 states that God gave Adam and Eve “every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food” which implies that they may have also consumed some animal products such as eggs, milk, and fish.
What Does the Bible say men began to Eat Meat?
The Bible contains several passages that suggest that men were given permission to eat meat after the Great Flood. In Genesis 9:3, God says to Noah and his sons, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant.” This implies that meat was not part of the original diet for humans and that God gave Noah and his son’s permission to eat meat after the flood.
Additionally, in Genesis 1:29-30, God says to Adam and Eve, “Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” This implies that initially, the diet of humans was vegetarian, but that God allowed them to eat meat after the flood.
Foods Specifically Prohibited by God
The Bible specifically forbids the consumption of certain foods, including pork, shrimp, shellfish, rabbits, camels, horses, and pigs. It also forbids the consumption of any creature that lives in the water, such as fish and shellfish. In addition, the Bible forbids the consumption of any blood or any food that has been sacrificed to idols.
Comparing Different Bible Versions on Eating
Different Bible versions interpret the passages on eating in different ways. For example, the King James Version of the Bible states that pork, shrimp, shellfish, rabbits, camels, horses, and pigs are all forbidden. However, the New International Version of the Bible states that pork, shrimp, and shellfish are forbidden, but does not mention the other animals. This difference in interpretation is an important factor to consider when deciding what to eat.
Exploring the Difference Between Kosher and Non-Kosher Foods
The Bible also outlines a distinction between kosher and non-kosher foods. Kosher foods are those that are deemed to be “clean” and “pure” according to Jewish dietary laws. These foods include all species of fish and animals that have cloven hooves and chew the cud, such as cows, goats, and sheep. Non-kosher foods include any animals that do not have cloven hooves or chew the cud, such as pigs and camels, as well as any creatures that live in the water, such as fish and shellfish.
What Eating Habits Does the Bible Promote?
The Bible promotes eating habits that are clean and pure, avoiding any foods that are unclean or unhealthy. It also encourages moderation in all eating habits, as well as eating in fellowship with other believers. The Bible also encourages a vegan diet, as it does not mention any animals that should be eaten in the Old Testament.
What Does the New Testament Teach about Eating Meat
The New Testament provides a great deal of guidance regarding the consumption of meat. The Bible does not explicitly command or forbid the eating of meat, but rather offers practical guidance and principles for believers to consider when eating meat. In the New Testament, Jesus and the Apostle Paul offer advice about how believers should approach the consumption of meat and other foods.
For example, Jesus encourages believers to be mindful of what they eat, and Paul’s teaching on food in 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 emphasizes that believers should not eat meat for the purpose of pleasing themselves, but rather should be mindful of how their choices affect others. The New Testament also provides an ethical framework for believers to consider when deciding whether or not to eat meat, including an emphasis on stewardship, the importance of charity, and the need to be mindful of the environment.
What Was Peter’s Vision of Clean and Unclean Meat Mean
The vision of Peter related to clean and unclean meat was a vision meant to demonstrate that the traditional Jewish laws regarding food were not binding on the Gentile believers. In the vision, a sheet containing four-footed animals, birds, and reptiles descended from heaven with a voice commanding Peter to “kill and eat”. This was a message to Peter that God had abolished the distinction between clean and unclean animals, thereby declaring them all suitable for human consumption.
This message was further reinforced by Peter’s encounter with the centurion Cornelius, in which God commanded Peter to preach the gospel to Cornelius and his household and declared them acceptable to receive the Holy Spirit. The vision of Peter was meant to demonstrate that man is no longer subject to the dietary laws of the Old Testament, and that all food is now considered clean and acceptable for consumption.
The Benefits of Eating a Vegan Diet According to the Bible
Eating a vegan diet has many benefits, according to the Bible. It is seen as a way to honor God, as it avoids the consumption of any animal products. Eating a vegan diet also reduces the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. It is also beneficial for the environment, as it reduces the amount of water and land required to produce animal products. Finally, a vegan diet can help to reduce animal suffering, as it eliminates the need to use animals for food.
Examples of Biblical Recipes for Eating According to the Bible
If you are looking for recipes to follow a biblical diet, there are plenty of options available. Some examples of biblical recipes include vegan recipes such as lentil soup, quinoa and vegetable stir fry, or chickpea and vegetable curry. Other recipes include vegetarian dishes such as roasted vegetables and quinoa, ratatouille, and stuffed peppers.
Final Thoughts – What Does the Bible say not to Eat
The Bible is a great source of wisdom and guidance when it comes to making decisions about what to eat. It contains many instructions about what to eat and what not to eat, including specific animals that are prohibited. There are also distinctions between kosher and non-kosher foods, as well as encouraging a vegan diet. If you are looking for more information about what to eat according to the Bible, there are many Bible blogs available online that provide helpful advice. Finally, there are many recipes available that follow a biblical diet.
