Leviticus 11:6

And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

Leviticus 11:6 (KJV)

Context

Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and part of the Torah, the first five books traditionally attributed to Moses. It contains laws God gave to Israel for worship, daily life, and moral conduct. Leviticus 11 focuses on dietary rules, teaching the people which animals are clean and may be eaten, and which are unclean and must be avoided.

Meaning

The hare, also known as the rabbit, is named among the unclean animals. The verse gives the reason: it “cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof.” In the dietary law, a clean land animal must meet two conditions: it must chew the cud and have a divided hoof. The hare appears to chew the cud, but its feet are not divided as required. Because it fails one condition, it is unclean.

This same test applies to other animals in Leviticus 11:4-5, such as the camel and the coney. The rule is repeated in Deuteronomy 14:7. The point is clear: both marks are necessary. Meeting only one standard is not enough for an animal to be accepted as clean.

Biblical connections

The dietary laws were not merely about health. They set Israel apart from surrounding nations and reminded the people that God called them to holiness. The requirement of both conditions teaches a deeper truth: partial obedience is not true obedience. Just as the hare fails because it lacks the divided hoof, a person who follows God only partway falls short of His standard.

In the New Testament, Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19), and He fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17). Christians are no longer bound by these food rules. Yet the spiritual principle remains: God’s people are called to wholehearted devotion, not selective compliance.

Application

For believers today, the hare is a warning against incomplete commitment. It is easy to obey God in some areas while ignoring others. But God looks for consistency and sincerity. The same standard applies to our thoughts, words, and actions. We cannot claim to follow Christ while holding back parts of our lives from His lordship.

This teaching also encourages discernment. Just as Israel had to examine animals carefully, we must examine what we allow into our hearts and minds. The influences we accept, the habits we form, and the choices we make should all be tested against God’s Word. We are called to be set apart, reflecting our identity as followers of Christ in every area of life.

Reflection

The law about the hare shows God’s care in giving clear instructions to His people. He did not leave them guessing. In the same way, He has given us His Word to guide us. The question is whether we will follow it fully. Let us examine our own lives and ask whether we are like the hare, appearing to follow God but missing a vital part of His command. True holiness requires both the inward habit of chewing on God’s truth and the outward walk of a life divided from the world’s ways.