Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
However, there are some animals you must not eat, even though they either chew their cud or have split hooves. For example, the camel chews its cud but doesn't have a split hoof, so it is unclean for you to eat.
God is giving specific rules about which animals the Israelites could and couldn't eat, explaining that both conditions (chewing cud AND split hooves) must be met for an animal to be considered clean.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of the dietary laws God gave to Moses for the Israelites after their escape from Egypt. These food regulations were meant to set Israel apart as God's holy people and likely had practical health benefits in the ancient world. The distinction between clean and unclean animals was a central part of Old Testament worship and daily life.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.