“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.”
This verse is part of the larger context of the book of Leviticus, which contains laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. In this particular verse, God is instructing the Israelites regarding the types of creatures they are permitted to eat from the waters.
Dietary Restrictions: Leviticus 11 provides a comprehensive list of animals that are considered clean or unclean for consumption. God establishes specific guidelines for the Israelites to follow when it comes to their diet. The verse states that fish with both fins and scales are permissible for consumption. This means that creatures such as tuna, salmon, and herring, which have both fins and scales, would be considered clean and suitable for consumption according to these instructions.
Significance of Fins and Scales: The requirement for fins and scales serves as a distinctive feature of permissible aquatic creatures. The presence of both fins and scales is seen as an indication of a healthy fish that is appropriate for human consumption. Fins are used for swimming and scales act as a form of protection for the fish. This guideline helps distinguish between the clean and unclean animals in the waters.
Symbolism and Spiritual Application: While the dietary laws of the Old Testament have specific historical and cultural significance for the Israelites, as Christians, we do not adhere to these regulations as binding. However, we can draw some spiritual principles from this verse. In the New Testament, there are teachings about maintaining spiritual discernment and being cautious about what we “consume” spiritually. Just as the Israelites were instructed to discern between clean and unclean animals, we are encouraged to discern between truth and falsehood, good and evil, and to be mindful of the influences we allow into our lives.
It’s important to note that the dietary laws mentioned in Leviticus served a specific purpose in the context of the Israelites’ covenant relationship with God. These laws helped distinguish the Israelites from other nations and had ceremonial and symbolic significance. However, with the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant, the dietary restrictions of the Old Testament were no longer binding for Christians (Mark 7:14-23, Acts 10:9-16).
In summary, Leviticus 11:9 provides dietary guidelines for the Israelites, specifically regarding the consumption of aquatic creatures with fins and scales. While these regulations have historical and cultural significance, Christians are not bound by these dietary laws today. However, we can derive spiritual principles from this verse, such as discernment and being cautious about what we consume spiritually.
