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What the Bible Says About Creeping Things

Overview

The Bible addresses creeping things across 20 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Leviticus. Closely related themes include Sanitation, Reptiles, Insects and Animals.

Key Bible verses about creeping things

Old Testament

Leviticus

Leviticus 11:20

All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.

Leviticus 11:21

Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;

Leviticus 11:22

Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.

Leviticus 11:23

But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.

Leviticus 11:29

These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind,

Leviticus 11:30

And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.

Leviticus 11:31

These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 11:32

And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.

Leviticus 11:33

And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.

Leviticus 11:34

Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.

Leviticus 11:35

And every thing whereupon any part of their carcase falleth shall be unclean; whether it be oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: for they are unclean, and shall be unclean unto you.

Leviticus 11:36

Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean. wherein: Heb. a gathering together of waters

Leviticus 11:37

And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean.

Leviticus 11:38

But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you.

Leviticus 11:39

And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 11:40

And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 11:41

And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.

Leviticus 11:42

Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. hath: Heb. doth multiply feet

Leviticus 11:43

Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. yourselves abominable: Heb. your souls, etc

Leviticus 11:44

For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying creeping things for yourself

  • Begin with Leviticus 11:20, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Sanitation, Reptiles, Insects and Animals.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about creeping things?

The Bible addresses creeping things across 20 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Leviticus. Closely related themes include Sanitation, Reptiles, Insects and Animals.

How many Bible verses are about creeping things?

The Bible references creeping things in 20 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention creeping things?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Leviticus 11:20: “All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.”

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