Old Testament
Leviticus 11:31
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
These are the creatures among all the small ground-dwelling animals that are unclean to you. Anyone who touches one of them after it has died will be unclean until evening.
Compare translations
These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.
What Leviticus 11:31 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Leviticus 11:31, God provides guidelines for the Israelites regarding cleanliness and dietary laws. This verse specifically addresses small ground-dwelling animals that are considered unclean. If someone touches one of these animals after it has died, they become ceremonially unclean until evening. This law emphasizes the importance of ritual purity in the community and the need to avoid contact with certain creatures that are deemed impure. The concept of being unclean is not just about hygiene; it also reflects a spiritual state that requires purification. The Israelites were to maintain their holiness and separation from practices that could lead them away from God. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of following divine instructions and the impact of physical actions on spiritual standing.
How to apply Leviticus 11:31 to your life
This verse encourages us to consider what we allow into our lives and how it affects our spiritual health. Just as the Israelites had to avoid unclean animals, we should be mindful of influences that may lead us away from our values and beliefs. Maintaining spiritual cleanliness is essential for a healthy relationship with God.
Curated for this public verse page. Leviticus Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Noah's story: Noah Is Born (Genesis 5:28–32)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Noah
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Leviticus 11:31
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Leviticus 11:31
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Leviticus
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Leviticus 11:31 mean?
Leviticus 11:31 outlines the dietary laws for the Israelites, specifically identifying certain small ground-dwelling animals as unclean. It states that touching a dead unclean animal makes a person ceremonially unclean until evening, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity.
What is the significance of being unclean in Leviticus 11:31?
Being unclean in Leviticus 11:31 reflects a state that requires purification and adherence to God's laws. It highlights the need for the Israelites to maintain their holiness and avoid contact with creatures deemed impure.
What animals are considered unclean in Leviticus 11:31?
Leviticus 11:31 refers to small ground-dwelling animals that creep on the ground, which are categorized as unclean. Specific examples are not listed in this verse, but the broader context of Leviticus 11 provides details on various unclean animals.
How does Leviticus 11:31 apply to modern life?
Leviticus 11:31 encourages individuals to be mindful of influences in their lives that may compromise their values and beliefs. Just as the Israelites avoided unclean animals, we should consider what we allow into our lives to maintain spiritual health.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.