De 14:3-8 Eze 4:14 Da 1:8 Mt 15:11 Mr 7:15-19 Ac 10:12,14
Ro 14:2,3,14,15 1Ti 4:4-6 Heb 9:10 13:9
Of the laws relative to clean and unclean beasts, which are
recorded in this chapter and Deut. ch. 14; the following may
be found a useful abstract. 1. In regard to quadrupeds, all
beasts that have their feet completely cloven, above as well
as below, and at the same time chew the cud, are clean.
Those which have neither, or indeed want one of these
distinguishing marks, are unclean. This is a systematic
division of quadrupeds so excellent, as never yet, after all
the improvements in natural history, to have become obsolete,
but, on the contrary, to be still considered as useful by the
greatest masters of the science. 2. With regard to fishes,
Moses has in like manner, made a very simple systematic
distinction. All that have scales and fins are clean; all
others unclean. 3. Of birds, he merely specifies certain
sorts as forbidden, thereby permitting all others to be
eaten. 4. Insects, serpents, worms, etc., are prohibited;
but with regard, however to those winged insects, which
besides four walking legs, also have two longer springing
legs, (Pedes saltatorii,) Moses makes an exception, and under
the denomination of locusts, declares them clean in all four
stages of their existence. In Palestine, Arabia, and the
adjoining countries, locusts are one of the most common
articles of food, and people would be very ill of if they
durst not eat them: For, when a swarm of them desolates the
fields, they prove in some measure themselves an antidote to
the famine which they occasion. They are not only eaten
fresh, immediately on their appearance, but the people
collect them, and know a method of preserving them for a long
time for food, after they have dried them in an oven.
--Niebuhr's Description of Arabia, pp. 170-175.
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