And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
And the rabbit, because it chews its cud but doesn't have split hooves, is unclean for you to eat.
This verse explains that rabbits were considered unclean animals that the Israelites were not allowed to eat because they didn't meet both dietary requirements.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of God's detailed dietary laws given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. These laws distinguished between 'clean' animals (those that both chewed cud and had split hooves, like cattle) and 'unclean' animals that were forbidden as food. These dietary restrictions helped set Israel apart as God's chosen people and may have also provided health benefits in an era without refrigeration or modern food safety.
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