Leviticus 11, Overview of Laws of Cleanliness

Here is an outline for Lev. 11-15.

·       11: Clean and unclean food.

·       12: Purification after childbirth.

·       13:1-46: Regulations about infectious skin diseases.

·       13:47-59: Regulations about mildew.

·       14:1-32: Cleansing from infectious skin diseases.

·       14:33-57: Cleansing from mildew.

·       15: Bodily discharges causing uncleanness.

These are chapters many find difficult to read.  They contain a lot of detail.  And people often wonder how this fits in with the rest of Scripture.  I want to share one quote from such a source.  I do not agree at all with this, but it will set up what the Bible itself actually says about these passages.

These chapters are, of course, very unattractive and in part decidedly repulsive.  They are mainly of interest to the anthropologist and sociologist.  Beneath these laws may be hidden early hygiene, ancient superstitions, customs now meaningless, simple prejudices, or perhaps deliberate revulsion from what were once known as the practices of the peoples in the service of their gods.  However meaningless and irrelevant, these laws meant for the Israelites the fulfilment of a divinely appointed way of life.  By the observance of these laws of purification Israel felt that it was dedicating its life to God.  The laws of purification are, then, the dedication of Israel’s national life.  This is their redemptive purpose within the revelation.  (International Bible Dictionary)

The above makes it sound like these regulations were Israel’s idea.  That is not what Scripture says.  These were God’s plan for Israel.  Here’s a better viewpoint.

Beginning with the call of Abraham, Israel’s way of life was increasingly in contrast with that of the Canaanites.  At first the differences had to do essentially with religious matters … After the giving of the law, legislation kept widening to cover social relationships in such a way as to make Israel a nation set apart. (Dr. Edwards, Denver Seminary)

Others seek to emphasize the health aspects of these laws.

Today we are more able to understand and appreciate the sound principles of diet, hygiene and medicine which these laws express.  God works in and through the processes He has build into the natural world. (Eerdmans Handbook of the Bible)

Joseph Seiss gives three purposes for this section.

1.    Health.  Ch. 11 makes good dietary distinctions.  All the clean animals are commonly recognized as clean today. (Cf. Deut. 4:5-8)

2.    Distinction.  These laws distinguish Israel from the surrounding nations.  (Cf. Deut. 7:6).

3.    Holiness.  These laws help Israel to be impressed with God’s holiness (11:44f). 

In the end, each of the above thoughts show God’s love for Israel.  Israel is His special treasure and these details fit that fact.