Moses gives regulations regarding aquatic animals that were acceptable and unacceptable for food. Any fish that has fins and scales is permitted. Any fish that does not have fins and scales is forbidden.
Having dealt with which of the land animals the Israelites may or may not eat, Moses continued to deal with the matter of diet in regard to water creatures. He gave a general rule that these you may eat of all that are in water. Specifically, he told them that anything that has fins and scales you may eat. Fins are appendages (an external body part) used by fish to swim, maintain position, to move, steer, and stop. Scales are small rigid plates that grow out of the fish’s skin.
By contrast, Moses explained to the Israelites that anything that does not have fins and scales you shall not eat (v. 10). This would include creatures such as shellfish, eels, and sharks since they did not have both fins and scales. So, the people were to regard these water creatures as unclean. In fact, Leviticus 11:10 states that such water animals (both freshwater and saltwater) were to be considered detestable to Israel. Therefore, they were not be eaten by God’s covenant people.
Biblical Text:
9 “These you may eat of all that are in water: anything that has fins and scales you may eat, 10 but anything that does not have fins and scales you shall not eat; it is unclean for you.
Check out our other commentaries:
-
Ruth 4:13-22 meaning
Ruth bore a son named Obed, who would become the grandfather of king David....... -
Deuteronomy 4:36-40 meaning
Since God is unique among the gods, Moses calls the Israelites to obey God’s precepts in order that they may live long in the Promised...... -
Deuteronomy 5:22-27 meaning
At Mount Sinai, all the heads of Israel’s tribes urged Moses to serve as Israel’s intercessor because they all were afraid when they heard God’s...... -
Daniel 2:1-6 meaning
The King of Babylon has a dream and demands that his wisemen not only tell him what it meant, but also tell him what he...... -
Exodus 36:14-19 meaning
The roof curtains of the tabernacle were made a specific size along with loops and clasps. A covering for the tabernacle was also made. ......