Scriptural Dietary Laws
Many diseases and ailments that people experience is often attributed to their diet and the foods that they consume. The Most High gave us specific laws that are to govern our diet so that our physical temple (our bodies) is kept clean and free from physical and spiritual impurities. When these laws are neglected and disobeyed, our bodies become defiled resulting in sickness, disease and mental and spiritual disarray.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
During the time of the creation, the Most High commanded the earth to bring forth trees and plants, with the fruit of the trees meant to nourish man. He also commanded the earth to produce grass and herbs, which would serve as sustenance and medicines for man’s health and well-being.
Genesis 1:29 “And God said, 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.”
Sirach 38:4 “The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them.”
Additionally, some animals created are fit for human consumption, while others are not. Leviticus chapter 11 and Deuteronomy chapter 14 outline which animals are lawful to eat. This distinction exists because certain creatures serve specific purposes. For example, crab, lobster, catfish, and other sea crustaceans help clean ecosystems by consuming harmful bacteria, waste, and decaying sea life and should not be consumed by humans.
In addition to the creatures of the sea, there are laws to determine which land or flying creatures are to be eaten and which creatures are not. When you examine the dietary habits of the unlawful animals, you’ll see that their diet primarily consists of the waste of the animals that surround them.
Law Regarding Sea Creatures
Leviticus 11:9 “These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
Leviticus 11:10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:
Leviticus 11:11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
Leviticus 11:12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.
According to the scriptures, the creatures that dwell in the oceans, lakes and rivers that are considered clean and fit for consumption must have both fins and scales. An example of this would be Salmon, Whitefish, Trout and such like because these fish have BOTH fins and scales on their bodies. Fish not having BOTH fins and scales are not lawful to be eaten regardless of a nation’s cultural diet or upbringing. Neither should the oils that come from these types of fish be consumed. Examples of unlawful sea creatures would be shark, catfish, oysters, shrimp, lobster, crab, frogs and ALL other creature which do not have BOTH fins and scales on their bodies.
Law Regarding Land Animals
The scriptures also indicate that the land animals that are lawful to eat MUST have these two attributes:
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Have parted hoofs or cloven footed (a hoof that is split into two separate parts or “toes”)
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Chews Cud (animals that have several stomach chambers and regurgitate their food to aid in digestion).
Leviticus 11:2 “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.”
Leviticus 11:3 “Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.”
An example of clean, lawful land animals that can be eaten include cows, bison (buffalo), deer (venison), lamb, sheep, goat, and any animal that chews the cud and has divided hooves.
In contrast, animals like pigs (pork), horses, and camels either chew the cud or have divided hooves, but not both. Since clean animals must meet both criteria, these animals and others like them should not be eaten.
Leviticus 11:4 “Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.”
The scriptures also indicate that any animals that have paws like dogs, cats and bears are also unlawful to be eaten.
Leviticus 11:27 “And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even”
Law Regarding Flying Creatures
The scriptures teach that all birds of prey and scavenger type birds are not lawful to be eaten.
Leviticus 11:13 And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
Leviticus 11:14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;
Leviticus 11:15 Every raven after his kind;
Leviticus 11:16 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
Leviticus 11:17 And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
Leviticus 11:18 And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
Leviticus 11:19 And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
Leviticus 11:20 All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.
On the other hand, more docile type birds are lawful to be eaten like quails and such like them:
Psalms 105:40 “The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.”
These laws are not optional as they are commandments of God. Breaking any of these laws is sin and puts the sinner in judgment.
1John 3:4: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
Proverbs 4:2 “For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.”
The scriptures make it quite clear that the laws have not been eliminated and must be followed. This is important to understand because some teach doctrines stating that the laws have been done away with and do not need to be followed. The scriptures speak contrary to this idea.
Matthew 5:17-18: “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
There are some that attempt to use certain scriptures out of context to support their desire to eat unclean animals. One popular scripture used is:
1 Timothy 4:3-4: “3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving”
This scripture is often interpreted to mean that ANYTHING can be eaten, as long as thanks are given to God. However, when read in context this scripture does not imply this at all. Notice that that the scripture clearly says, “…God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and KNOW THE TRUTH.” This is important to understand because the scriptures clearly tell us what the TRUTH is.
Psalms 119:142 “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth”
The "TRUTH" is the entire Law of God, as revealed in the Scriptures. The correct understanding of 1 Timothy 4:3-4 is that when you know and follow God's laws, all creatures of God are good and should not be rejected. This counters certain doctrines that teach all meat should be avoided (such as Vegetarianism or Veganism). Some also regard certain animals—like cows—as sacred, claiming their flesh should not be consumed. However, the Bible clearly states that cows, along with other animals that chew the cud and have cloven hooves, are lawful to eat. Therefore, clean animals can be received with thanksgiving, as God's laws (the truth) have clearly outlined which animals are permissible to consume and which are not. We should not be confused when reading the scriptures precept upon precept as commanded (Isaiah 28:9-10)