Leviticus 11:21Yet you may eat these: of all winged creeping things that go on all fours, which have legs above their feet, with which to hop on the earth.
The setting
Mount Sinai wilderness, ~1445 BC. After forbidding winged insects, God immediately gives an exception - locusts and grasshoppers are permitted in modern-day Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.
The emotion here: careful attention to record both restriction and permission
The original word
karat (כְּרָעַיִם) — jumping legs, the powerful hind legs that distinguish locusts from other insects
Why it matters
Locusts were a valuable protein source in the ancient Middle East, often roasted or ground into flour
Read with care
What most readers miss in Leviticus 11:21
Right after the prohibition comes the exception - God's laws have built-in grace
Common misconceptionPeople focus on what's forbidden and miss that God immediately provided alternatives and exceptions.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Leviticus 11:21
Bible Genome reading
Leviticus 11:21 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Leviticus 11:21 comes from the book of Leviticus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include holiness, dietary laws, permission. Notable phrases: you may eat; winged creeping things; legs above their feet. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Leviticus 11:21 mean to you, today?
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