Leviticus 11:13

And these are they which ye shall haue in abomination among the foules, they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: The Eagle, and the Ossifrage, and the Ospray, Leviticus 11:13 (KJV)

The book of Leviticus, the third book of the Torah, contains the laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. Chapter 11 deals specifically with dietary laws, instructing the people on which animals are clean and which are unclean. In verse 13 the Lord declares that certain birds are an abomination and must not be eaten. The verse lists the eagle, the ossifrage, the ospray, the vulture, and the kite as birds that are detestable among the fowls.

Leviticus 11:13‑19 expands this list to a broader catalogue of unclean birds. The passage includes, in addition to the birds named in verse 13, the raven, the owl, the night‑hawk, the cuckow, the hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the swan, the pelican, the gier eagle, the stork, the heron, the lapwing, and even the bat. These creatures were prohibited for consumption under the Mosaic covenant, providing the Israelites with clear guidance on what was permissible to eat.

The dietary regulations served both practical and symbolic purposes. Practically, avoiding certain birds helped protect the community from disease and from consuming animals that were scavengers or predators, which were more likely to be unclean. Symbolically, the laws set the people of Israel apart from surrounding nations, reinforcing their covenant relationship with God and their call to holiness. By observing these restrictions the Israelites demonstrated obedience and trust in divine instruction.

Holiness is a central theme in Leviticus. Abstaining from prohibited foods was a visible expression of the nation’s commitment to purity and separation from pagan practices. The dietary code acted as a daily reminder of Israel’s identity as God’s chosen people.

In the New Testament, the dietary restrictions are re‑interpreted. Jesus, in Mark 7:19, declares all foods clean, teaching that moral defilement comes from the heart rather than from what is eaten. This shift moves the focus from external regulations to inner righteousness and the freedom found in Christ.

In conclusion, Leviticus 11:13 identifies specific birds—eagle, ossifrage, ospray, vulture, and kite—as abominations, and the surrounding verses enumerate a larger group of unclean fowls. These laws underscored the Israelites’ call to holiness and separation, while the New Testament later reframes the issue, emphasizing heart‑purity over dietary observance.