In the Bible, God gave specific instructions about clean and unclean foods, especially under the Old Covenant. These dietary laws helped to set Israel apart and teach spiritual lessons about holiness and obedience. Though the New Testament brings freedom in Christ regarding food, the principles of discernment, self-control, and honoring God with our bodies still apply. These verses offer guidance and insight into what foods were forbidden and how we can glorify God through our choices today.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Sharing food
Old Testament Dietary Laws
Under the Law of Moses, God gave the Israelites detailed dietary instructions to distinguish between clean and unclean animals. These rules were designed to promote health, obedience, and holiness among God’s people. While these laws were specific to Israel, they reveal how seriously God takes purity and obedience in all areas of life, including what we consume.
Leviticus 11:7-8
“The pig has evenly split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is unclean. You must not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses. They are ceremonially unclean for you.”
Leviticus 11:10-11
“But you must never eat animals from the sea or from rivers that do not have both fins and scales. They are detestable to you.”
Deuteronomy 14:3
“You must not eat any detestable animals.”
Leviticus 11:13
“These are the birds that are detestable to you. You must never eat them—the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture.”
Deuteronomy 14:8
“The pig has evenly split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is ceremonially unclean for you. You must not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses.”
Unclean Sea Creatures
God’s instructions regarding seafood were specific: only creatures with fins and scales were considered clean. This excluded shellfish such as shrimp, lobster, and crab. These laws were part of God’s covenant with Israel and carried health, ceremonial, and spiritual implications. Though Christians are not bound by these laws today, understanding them teaches reverence for God’s instructions and healthy boundaries.
Leviticus 11:12
“Anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be regarded as unclean by you.”
Deuteronomy 14:10
“But you may not eat anything without fins and scales. It is ceremonially unclean for you.”
Leviticus 11:9
“Of all the marine animals, these are the ones you may use for food. You may eat anything from the water if it has both fins and scales, whether taken from salt water or from streams.”
Isaiah 66:17
“Those who ‘consecrate’ and purify themselves in a sacred garden with its idol in the center—feasting on pork and rats and other detestable meats—will come to a terrible end,” says the Lord.”
Leviticus 11:46-47
“These are the instructions regarding land animals, birds, marine creatures, and animals that scurry along the ground. By these instructions you will know what is clean and unclean.”
Forbidden Birds and Flying Insects
The Bible lists certain birds and flying insects that should not be eaten, many of which are scavengers or predators. These dietary restrictions were likely based on health concerns and symbolic meanings related to purity and holiness. Understanding these guidelines shows us God’s concern for what we ingest and His call to live distinct, holy lives.
Leviticus 11:20
“You are not to eat winged insects that walk along the ground; they are detestable to you.”
Leviticus 11:13
“These are the birds that are detestable to you. You must never eat them—the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture.”
Deuteronomy 14:12-13
“These are the birds you are not to eat: the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, the falcon, buzzards of all kinds.”
Leviticus 11:23
“But all other winged insects that walk along the ground are detestable to you.”
Leviticus 11:30
“The gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.”
Symbolism of Unclean Foods
Unclean foods often represented deeper spiritual truths. They were a symbol of moral and spiritual impurity, teaching God’s people the importance of separating themselves from sin and corruption. These food laws were physical reminders of the call to be holy, just as God is holy. They pointed to the need for internal purity and set Israel apart as a holy nation.
Leviticus 20:25-26
“You must therefore make a distinction between ceremonially clean and unclean animals… You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy.”
Ezekiel 4:14
“Then I said, ‘O Sovereign Lord, must I be defiled by using human dung?’ For I have never been defiled before. From the time I was a child until now, I have never eaten any animal that died of sickness or was killed by wild animals. I have never eaten any meat forbidden by the law.”
Isaiah 65:4
“Who eat the flesh of pigs and whose pots hold soup made with unclean meat.”
Daniel 1:8
“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king.”
Hosea 9:3
“But the people will not remain in the Lord’s land. Ephraim will return to Egypt and will eat unclean food in Assyria.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Eating
New Testament Freedom and Discernment
In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles taught that food in itself does not defile a person. However, freedom in Christ comes with responsibility. While the ceremonial laws were fulfilled in Christ, believers are still called to use discernment and avoid anything that would harm the body or cause another believer to stumble. The heart matters more than the plate.
Mark 7:18-19
“Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable.)”
Romans 14:14
“I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.”
1 Timothy 4:4-5
“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.”
Colossians 2:16
“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.”
Acts 10:15
“But the voice spoke again: ‘Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.'”
Honoring God With What We Eat
Even though we are not under the Mosaic dietary laws, we are still called to honor God with our bodies and our choices. Whether eating or abstaining, our focus should be on glorifying God and walking in love. If certain foods hinder our relationship with Him or cause others to stumble, we are called to lay down our rights for the sake of love and purity.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Romans 14:21
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.”
1 Corinthians 8:13
“So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.”
Philippians 3:19
“They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.”
Proverbs 23:20-21
“Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.”
Self-Control and Spiritual Discipline in Eating
While food itself is not sinful, how we approach eating reveals the state of our hearts. Scripture calls believers to practice self-control and discipline, even in their diets. Overindulgence, gluttony, or unhealthy cravings can become spiritual stumbling blocks. God desires that we treat our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, using wisdom in all we consume. Maintaining discipline in eating reflects maturity, gratitude, and a desire to honor God in both body and soul.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Proverbs 25:16
“Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!”
1 Corinthians 9:27
“I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.”
Philippians 4:5
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.”