Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Leviticus, Chapter 11ויקרא 11

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Israel's diet is mapped by clean and unclean: split hoof and cud for land animals, fins and scales for water creatures, a bare list of forbidden birds, with an exception for locusts. Carcasses defile both people and objects. The ground is imitation, not hygiene — 'be holy, for I am holy' — teaching Israel to distinguish.

Translation & textual notes

Leviticus 11 is textually stable in the MT; its genuine cruxes are lexical and taxonomic rather than text-critical. The bird list (vv. 13-19) and the land-swarmer list (vv. 29-30) each contain several hapax legomena — תַּחְמָס, שַׁחַף, אֲנָקָה, כֹּחַ, חֹמֶט among others — whose zoological referents cannot be fixed with confidence; the ancient versions (LXX, Vulgate, Targumim) themselves diverge on many identifications, and modern renderings often reflect post-biblical tradition rather than recoverable Hebrew etymology. תִּנְשֶׁמֶת is used twice (vv. 18, 30) for two apparently unrelated creatures, a genuine puzzle. The most discussed textual detail proper is the Kethiv/Qere at v. 21 (לא written, לוֹ read), where the Masoretes flagged rather than silently corrected an inherited peculiarity. Substantively, the chapter has long been a test case for theories of biblical law: is the clean/unclean distinction hygienic (Maimonides), symbolic — creatures that violate the 'proper' locomotion of their domain being classed as anomalous (Mary Douglas's influential structuralist reading in Purity and Danger), or simply an arbitrary field for practicing sanctification and obedience (Milgrom's mediating view, which stresses the theological refrain of vv. 44-45 over any single rationale)? The chapter itself supplies no single answer, grounding the law instead in YHWH's own holiness and the Exodus. Versification follows the MT throughout.

1

וַיְדַבֵּ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹ֥ר אֲלֵהֶֽם

And YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them,

Narrative introduction (divine speech formula)וַ
The chapter opens with the standard priestly speech formula, but uniquely addresses both Moses and Aaron together (contrast the usual אֶל מֹשֶׁה לֵאמֹר) — fitting for a chapter that ends by naming priestly discernment between clean and unclean as its very point (v. 47).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֧רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the standard verb introducing divine speech to Moses (here also Aaron).
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipient of the divine speech.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prep אֶל (first addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator-lawgiver.
וְאֶֽלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Conjunction + prepositional phrase (second addressee)וְ joins a second addressee; אֶל marks אַהֲרֹן as co-recipient — unusual, since Aaron rarely receives direct address in the legal formulas.
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of prep וְאֶל (second addressee)אַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother and high priest; his inclusion fits the chapter's concern with priestly discernment of clean and unclean (cf. v. 47).
לֵאמֹ֥רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitive: introduces the content of the divine speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר is the standard formula opening quoted speech.
אֲלֵהֶֽםto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase resuming the addresseesאֶל + 3mp suffix, resumptively 'to them' (Moses and Aaron); reinforces the double address of v. 1, a stylistic trait of P.
2

דַּבְּר֛וּ אֶל בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר זֹ֤את הַֽחַיָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאכְל֔וּ מִכָּל הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל הָאָֽרֶץ

Speak to the Israelites, saying: This is the living creature that you may eat from among all the animals that are on the earth.

Direct command opening the dietary instructionasyndeton
The asyndetic imperative דַּבְּרוּ launches the body of the speech introduced in v. 1; the deictic זֹאת ('this') is cataphoric, pointing forward to the criteria of v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
דַּבְּר֛וּspeakPiel impv 2mp · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: direct commandדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; imperative opening the speech to be relayed to Israel.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct 'sons of Israel' = the Israelites collectively.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, addressed here regarding food law.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitive: introduces quoted contentאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; formulaic.
זֹ֤אתthisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject of the verbless clauseזֹאת (H2063), fem. demonstrative, referring forward (cataphoric) to the criteria about to be given.
הַֽחַיָּה֙the living creatureart + N f sg abs · חַיָּה (H2416)Predicate nominativeחַיָּה (H2416) 'living thing, animal', from חיה 'to live'; the chapter's generic term for a land creature, distinct from בְּהֵמָה 'domestic beast'.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing restrictive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative 'which, that'.
תֹּאכְל֔וּyou may eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: permission/modal — what Israel is permitted to eatאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's key recurring verb, framing all criteria in terms of permitted diet.
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; here partitive, 'from among all the land animals'.
הַבְּהֵמָ֖הthe animalsart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of the preposition מִכָּלבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, animal, cattle'; distinct from חַיָּה, generic for four-footed land creatures here.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the locative qualifier.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the land surface generally, the domain of the בְּהֵמָה.
3

כֹּ֣ל מַפְרֶ֣סֶת פַּרְסָ֗ה וְשֹׁסַ֤עַת שֶׁ֨סַע֙ פְּרָסֹ֔ת מַעֲלַ֥ת גֵּרָ֖ה בַּבְּהֵמָ֑ה אֹתָ֖הּ תֹּאכֵֽלוּ

Any animal that has a split hoof, completely divided, and that chews the cud among the animals — that you may eat.

Statement of the positive criterion (double test)asyndeton
The casus pendens כֹּל ... אֹתָהּ תֹּאכֵלוּ fronts the class before resuming it with the object marker, a common legal-style construction. Two criteria are stacked: split hoof and cud-chewing; v. 4 will apply this test to exclude partial matches.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
כֹּ֣לanyN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Casus pendens / fronted subject (resumed by אֹתָהּ)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; fronts the class before the double criterion is given.
מַפְרֶ֣סֶתsplittingHiphil ptc f sg abs · פָּרַס (H6536)Attributive participle modifying כֹּל (first criterion)→ Participle: characteristic, ongoing propertyפָּרַס (H6536) Hiphil 'to split, divide'; describes the hoof's cleft structure.
פַּרְסָ֗הa hoofN f sg abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Direct object of מַפְרֶסֶתפַּרְסָה (H6541) 'hoof'; the anatomical term for the animal's cloven foot.
וְשֹׁסַ֤עַתand cleavingconj וְ + Qal ptc f sg abs · שָׁסַע (H8156)Coordinate attributive participle (second criterion)→ Participle: characteristic propertyשָׁסַע (H8156) Qal 'to split, cleave'; near-synonym of פָּרַס, reinforcing the cleft-hoof description.
שֶׁ֨סַע֙a split ofN m sg constr · שֶׁסַע (H8157)Cognate accusative (internal object of וְשֹׁסַעַת)שֶׁסַע (H8157) 'split, cleft', cognate to שָׁסַע; forms a cognate-accusative phrase emphasizing completeness of the cleft.
פְּרָסֹ֔תhoovesN f pl abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Genitive completing the cognate-accusative phraseפַּרְסָה (H6541), plural, completing שֶׁסַע פְּרָסֹת 'a complete cleft of the hooves'.
מַעֲלַ֥תbringing upHiphil ptc f sg constr · עָלָה (H5927)Attributive participle (third criterion, construct with גֵּרָה)→ Participle: characteristic, ongoing propertyעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up'; idiomatic for rumination, 'bringing up the cud'.
גֵּרָ֖הthe cudN f sg abs · גֵּרָה (H1625)Direct object of מַעֲלַתגֵּרָה (H1625) 'cud'; the regurgitated food of ruminant digestion — the second half of the double test.
בַּבְּהֵמָ֑הamong the animalsprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Locative/partitive prepositional phraseבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'animal, beast'; scopes the rule to land animals.
אֹתָ֖הּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resumptive, fronted for emphasis)אֵת (H853) + 3fs suffix, resuming the fronted כֹּל ('any [animal such]... it you may eat') — a casus pendens construction typical of legal style.
תֹּאכֵֽלוּyou may eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: permission — the positive rulingאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; closes the verse with the ruling of permission.
4

אַ֤ךְ אֶת זֶה֙ לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְל֔וּ מִֽמַּעֲלֵי֙ הַגֵּרָ֔ה וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵ֖י הַפַּרְסָ֑ה אֶֽת הַ֠גָּמָל כִּֽי מַעֲלֵ֨ה גֵרָ֜ה ה֗וּא וּפַרְסָה֙ אֵינֶ֣נּוּ מַפְרִ֔יס טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא לָכֶֽם

But this you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have a split hoof: the camel, for it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof — it is unclean to you.

First exception: fails the hoof criterion despite meeting the cud criterionאַךְ
The double criterion of v. 3 is now applied diagnostically. The camel passes the rumination test but fails the hoof test, showing both conditions — not one — are required for a land animal to be clean.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
אַ֤ךְsurely, butadv · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive/adversative adverb (fronted, marking exception)אַךְ (H389) 'only, surely, but'; here restrictive, introducing the list of exceptions that fail the double test.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; untranslated in English.
זֶה֙thisdem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Direct object (resumed by the class name below)זֶה (H2088), masc. demonstrative referring forward to the specific creatures named in vv. 4-7.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
תֹֽאכְל֔וּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, negated prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition — a durative rule, not a one-time banאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; with לֹא forms the standing dietary prohibition.
מִֽמַּעֲלֵי֙from those that bring upprep מִן + Hiphil ptc m pl constr · עָלָה (H5927)Partitive prepositional phrase (attributive participle, first criterion)→ Participle: characteristic propertyעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up'; idiom for chewing the cud, restated here from v. 3.
הַגֵּרָ֔הthe cudart + N f sg abs · גֵּרָה (H1625)Direct object of מִמַּעֲלֵיגֵּרָה (H1625) 'cud'; see v. 3.
וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵ֖יand from those that splitconj וְ + prep מִן + Hiphil ptc m pl constr · פָּרַס (H6536)Coordinate partitive prepositional phrase (second criterion)→ Participle: characteristic propertyפָּרַס (H6536) Hiphil 'to split'; the hoof-criterion, coordinated with the cud-criterion.
הַפַּרְסָ֑הthe hoofart + N f sg abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Direct object of וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵיפַּרְסָה (H6541) 'hoof'; see v. 3.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (introduces the named exception)אֵת (H853), marking הַגָּמָל as the definite direct object.
הַ֠גָּמָלthe camelart + N m sg abs · גָּמָל (H1581)Direct object of תֹאכְלוּ (fronted, resumed by הוּא below)גָּמָל (H1581) 'camel'; a genuine ruminant (chews the cud) but has padded, non-cloven feet rather than a true hoof — it fails the second criterion.
כִּֽיfor, becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for exclusionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the diagnostic reason the camel is excluded.
מַעֲלֵ֨הbringing upHiphil ptc m sg constr · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate participle (first criterion, met)→ Participle: characteristic propertyעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up (the cud)'; the camel does meet this criterion.
גֵרָ֜הcudN f sg abs · גֵּרָה (H1625)Direct object of מַעֲלֵהגֵּרָה (H1625) 'cud'; see v. 3.
ה֗וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming הַגָּמָלהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun serving as quasi-copula in the verbless clause.
וּפַרְסָה֙and a hoofconj וְ + N f sg abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Subject of the negated existential clause (second criterion)פַּרְסָה (H6541) 'hoof'; here the negated criterion — the camel has no true cloven hoof.
אֵינֶ֣נּוּit is notexistential negative + 3ms suffix · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of the negated existential clauseאַיִן (H369) 'there is not', with pronominal suffix 'it is not [splitting]'; negates the following participle.
מַפְרִ֔יסsplittingHiphil ptc m sg abs · פָּרַס (H6536)Participle negated by אֵינֶנּוּ (criterion failed)→ Participle: characteristic property, here negatedפָּרַס (H6536) Hiphil 'to split'; the camel fails this criterion, hence its exclusion despite chewing the cud.
טָמֵ֥אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'; the chapter's key ritual-status term, the opposite of טָהוֹר.
ה֖וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clauseהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of reference (the ruling's addressees)לְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'; marks the ritual-status ruling as addressed to Israel specifically.
5

וְאֶת הַשָּׁפָ֗ן כִּֽי מַעֲלֵ֤ה גֵרָה֙ ה֔וּא וּפַרְסָ֖ה לֹ֣א יַפְרִ֑יס טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא לָכֶֽם

And the rock badger, for it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof — it is unclean to you.

Second exception: same failure pattern as the camelוְ
The rock badger (שָׁפָן) fails the hoof criterion though its jaw motion resembles rumination — a case where appearance and the technical test diverge, which the text states candidly rather than smoothing over.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (next named exception)וְ joins the next case; אֵת marks הַשָּׁפָן as the definite object.
הַשָּׁפָ֗ןthe rock badgerart + N m sg abs · שָׁפָן (H8227)Direct object of תֹאכְלוּ (implied), resumed by הוּא belowשָׁפָן (H8227), usually identified as the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis), a small mammal that grinds vegetation with a jaw motion resembling rumination but is not a true ruminant and lacks hooves.
כִּֽיfor, becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for exclusionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; as in v. 4.
מַעֲלֵ֤הbringing upHiphil ptc m sg constr · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate participle (first criterion, met)→ Participle: characteristic propertyעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up (the cud)'; applied here to the rock badger's cud-like chewing motion.
גֵרָה֙cudN f sg abs · גֵּרָה (H1625)Direct object of מַעֲלֵהגֵּרָה (H1625) 'cud'; see v. 3.
ה֔וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming הַשָּׁפָןהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
וּפַרְסָ֖הand a hoofconj וְ + N f sg abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Subject of the negated clause (second criterion)פַּרְסָה (H6541) 'hoof'; the rock badger has clawed, padded feet rather than a cloven hoof.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
יַפְרִ֑יסit splitsHiphil impf 3ms · פָּרַס (H6536)Predicate verb of the negated clause (criterion failed)→ Yiqtol negated: the criterion the rock badger failsפָּרַס (H6536) Hiphil 'to split (the hoof)'; negated here — unlike v. 3-4's participles, expressed as a finite verb.
טָמֵ֥אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'.
ה֖וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clauseהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
6

וְאֶת הָאַרְנֶ֗בֶת כִּֽי מַעֲלַ֤ת גֵּרָה֙ הִ֔וא וּפַרְסָ֖ה לֹ֣א הִפְרִ֑יסָה טְמֵאָ֥ה הִ֖וא לָכֶֽם

And the hare, for it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof — it is unclean to you.

Third exception: same failure patternוְ
The hare completes a trio of animals whose chewing motion suggests rumination without meeting the technical criterion — the text is more interested in the observable double test than in modern digestive physiology.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (next named exception)וְ joins the next case; אֵת marks הָאַרְנֶבֶת as the definite object.
הָאַרְנֶ֗בֶתthe hareart + N f sg abs · אַרְנֶבֶת (H768)Direct object, resumed by הִוא belowאַרְנֶבֶת (H768) 'hare'; like the rock badger, its jaw movement (caecotrophy/re-mastication) resembles rumination without being true cud-chewing, and it lacks a cloven hoof.
כִּֽיfor, becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for exclusionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'.
מַעֲלַ֤תbringing upHiphil ptc f sg constr · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate participle (first criterion, met)→ Participle: characteristic propertyעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up (the cud)', fem. agreeing with the hare.
גֵּרָה֙cudN f sg abs · גֵּרָה (H1625)Direct object of מַעֲלַתגֵּרָה (H1625) 'cud'; see v. 3.
הִ֔ואit (is)pron 3fs · הִוא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming הָאַרְנֶבֶתהִוא (H1931), fem. independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
וּפַרְסָ֖הand a hoofconj וְ + N f sg abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Subject of the negated clause (second criterion)פַּרְסָה (H6541) 'hoof'; the hare's paws are not cloven hooves.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
הִפְרִ֑יסָהit splitsHiphil perf 3fs · פָּרַס (H6536)Predicate verb of the negated clause (criterion failed)→ Perfective negated: the criterion the hare failsפָּרַס (H6536) Hiphil 'to split (the hoof)'; negated, fem. agreeing with the hare.
טְמֵאָ֥הuncleanadj f sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure', fem. form טְמֵאָה.
הִ֖ואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clauseהִיא (H1931), fem. independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
7

וְאֶת הַ֠חֲזִיר כִּֽי מַפְרִ֨יס פַּרְסָ֜ה ה֗וּא וְשֹׁסַ֥ע שֶׁ֨סַע֙ פַּרְסָ֔ה וְה֖וּא גֵּרָ֣ה לֹֽא יִגָּ֑ר טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא לָכֶֽם

And the pig, for it has a split hoof — completely divided — but does not chew the cud: it is unclean to you.

Fourth exception: the inverse case (fails the cud criterion instead)וְ
The pig reverses the pattern of vv. 4-6: it genuinely has the cloven hoof but fails the rumination test. The four examples thus cover both possible failure modes, closing the double-criterion demonstration before the general prohibition of v. 8.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (final named exception)וְ joins the last case; אֵת marks הַחֲזִיר as the definite object.
הַ֠חֲזִירthe pigart + N m sg abs · חֲזִיר (H2386)Direct object, resumed by הוּא belowחֲזִיר (H2386) 'pig, swine'; the inverse case from the camel — a genuinely cloven-hoofed animal that does not chew the cud, becoming the paradigm unclean animal in later Jewish and popular usage though textually just one instance among four.
כִּֽיfor, becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for exclusionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'.
מַפְרִ֨יסsplittingHiphil ptc m sg abs · פָּרַס (H6536)Predicate participle (first criterion, met)→ Participle: characteristic propertyפָּרַס (H6536) Hiphil 'to split'; the pig genuinely has a cloven hoof, unlike the previous three cases.
פַּרְסָ֜הa hoofN f sg abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Direct object of מַפְרִיספַּרְסָה (H6541) 'hoof'; see v. 3.
ה֗וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming הַחֲזִירהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
וְשֹׁסַ֥עand cleavingconj וְ + Qal ptc m sg abs · שָׁסַע (H8156)Coordinate attributive participle (restating the hoof-criterion)→ Participle: characteristic propertyשָׁסַע (H8156) Qal 'to split, cleave'; the pig's hoof is doubly confirmed cloven before the negative criterion follows.
שֶׁ֨סַע֙a split ofN m sg constr · שֶׁסַע (H8157)Cognate accusative (internal object)שֶׁסַע (H8157) 'split, cleft'; see v. 3.
פַּרְסָ֔הhoofN f sg abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Genitive completing the cognate-accusative phraseפַּרְסָה (H6541), completing 'a split hoof'.
וְה֖וּאbut itconj וְ + pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Adversative-coordinated subject, fronted before the negated verb (contrastive)הוּא (H1931) with adversative וְ: 'but it' — pivots to the second, failed criterion.
גֵּרָ֣הcudN f sg abs · גֵּרָה (H1625)Direct object of the negated verb יִגָּרגֵּרָה (H1625) 'cud'; the pig does not chew the cud — the criterion it fails.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
יִגָּ֑רit chewsNiphal impf 3ms · גָּרַר (H1641)Predicate verb of the negated clause (criterion failed)→ Yiqtol negated: the criterion the pig failsגָּרַר (H1641) Niphal 'to chew (the cud)'; a rare root distinct from the עָלָה-idiom used elsewhere, but here negated to state plainly the pig does not ruminate.
טָמֵ֥אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'.
ה֖וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clauseהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'; closes the four-animal exception list.
8

מִבְּשָׂרָם֙ לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֔לוּ וּבְנִבְלָתָ֖ם לֹ֣א תִגָּ֑עוּ טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖ם לָכֶֽם

You shall not eat of their flesh, and their carcass you shall not touch; they are unclean to you.

Concluding prohibition summarizing vv. 4-7asyndeton
The section pivots from prohibiting consumption to prohibiting even contact with the carcass, introducing נָגַע ('touch') as the operative verb for the contact-contamination system that dominates the rest of the chapter (vv. 24ff.).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
מִבְּשָׂרָם֙from their fleshprep מִן + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Partitive prepositional phrase (object of prohibition)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, meat'; the prohibition now covers the four named creatures as a class.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
תֹאכֵ֔לוּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, negated prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: standing prohibitionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'.
וּבְנִבְלָתָ֖םand their carcassconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Prepositional phrase (object of the second prohibition)נְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass, corpse'; introduces the chapter's second theme — contact with dead bodies conveys impurity even where the flesh was never eaten.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
תִגָּ֑עוּyou shall touchQal impf 2mp · נָגַע (H5060)Predicate verb (main clause, negated prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: standing prohibitionנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch'; the key verb for the whole contact-contamination system developed through v. 40.
טְמֵאִ֥יםuncleanadj m pl abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean', plural agreeing with the class of four creatures.
הֵ֖םthey (are)pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the verbless clauseהֵם (H1992), independent pronoun, quasi-copula, plural.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'; closes the land-animal section (vv. 2-8).
9

אֶת זֶה֙ תֹּֽאכְל֔וּ מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּמָּ֑יִם כֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ֩ סְנַפִּ֨יר וְקַשְׂקֶ֜שֶׂת בַּמַּ֗יִם בַּיַּמִּ֛ים וּבַנְּחָלִ֖ים אֹתָ֥ם תֹּאכֵֽלוּ

This you may eat, from all that is in the water: everything that has fins and scales, in the seas and in the streams — that you may eat.

Positive criterion for aquatic life (fins and scales)asyndeton
The double criterion here is simpler than the land-animal test: fins and scales together mark a water creature as clean, covering true fish generally while excluding shellfish, eels, and other finless or scaleless aquatic life (v. 10).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking זֶה as the definite object, resumed by אֹתָם below.
זֶה֙thisdem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Direct object (cataphoric, resumed by the class named below)זֶה (H2088), pointing forward to the fin-and-scale criterion, opening the water-creature section (vv. 9-12).
תֹּֽאכְל֔וּyou may eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: permission — the positive rulingאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'.
מִכֹּ֖לfrom allprep מִן + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; partitive, 'from among all that is in the water'.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
בַּמָּ֑יִםin the waterprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phraseמַיִם (H4325) 'water', plural in form; the general domain before it is subdivided into seas and streams below.
כֹּ֣לanyN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Casus pendens / fronted subject (resumed by אֹתָם below)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; fronts the class before the criterion is stated, as in v. 3.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
לוֹ֩it hasprep לְ + 3ms suffixPredicate of possession ('has')לְ + 3ms suffix, possessive 'to it (belongs)' = 'it has'.
סְנַפִּ֨ירfinN m sg abs · סְנַפִּיר (H5579)Subject of the existential clause (first criterion)סְנַפִּיר (H5579) 'fin'; a rare word occurring only in this pericope (vv. 9-12), the first of the double criterion for aquatic life.
וְקַשְׂקֶ֜שֶׂתand scalesconj וְ + N f sg abs · קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת (H7193)Coordinate subject of the existential clause (second criterion)קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת (H7193) 'scale(s)'; the second of the double criterion — both fins and scales are required for a water creature to be clean.
בַּמַּ֗יִםin the waterprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phraseמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; restates the domain before it is specified as seas and streams.
בַּיַּמִּ֛יםin the seasprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יָם (H3220)Locative prepositional phrase (specifying)יָם (H3220) 'sea'; specifies the water domain, paired with נַחַל 'stream' next.
וּבַנְּחָלִ֖יםand in the streamsconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · נַחַל (H5158)Coordinate locative prepositional phraseנַחַל (H5158) 'stream, wadi'; paired with יָם to cover both salt and fresh water habitats.
אֹתָ֥םthemobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resumptive, fronted for emphasis)אֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix, resuming the fronted כֹּל — the casus pendens pattern of v. 3 repeated.
תֹּאכֵֽלוּyou may eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: permission — the positive rulingאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; closes the verse with the ruling of permission for finned, scaled creatures.
10

וְכֹל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֵֽין ל֜וֹ סְנַפִּ֣יר וְקַשְׂקֶ֗שֶׂת בַּיַּמִּים֙ וּבַנְּחָלִ֔ים מִכֹּל֙ שֶׁ֣רֶץ הַמַּ֔יִם וּמִכֹּ֛ל נֶ֥פֶשׁ הַחַיָּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּמָּ֑יִם שֶׁ֥קֶץ הֵ֖ם לָכֶֽם

But anything that does not have fins and scales, in the seas or in the streams, among all the swarming things of the water and among all the living creatures that are in the water — they are a detestable thing to you.

Negative criterion for aquatic life (adversative)וְ
The chapter's strongest term, שֶׁקֶץ ('detestable thing'), rather than the milder טָמֵא ('unclean'), marks finless and scaleless water creatures — shellfish, eels, and similar creatures were evidently regarded with particular revulsion.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְכֹל֩but allconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Casus pendens / fronted subject (contrastive, resumed by הֵם below)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the adversative parallel to v. 9, now fronting the negative case.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
אֵֽיןthere is notexistential negative · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of the negated existential clauseאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; negates possession of fins/scales.
ל֜וֹit (has)prep לְ + 3ms suffixSubject-complement of the possessive negationלְ + 3ms suffix, possessive 'to it (belongs)', negated by אֵין = 'it has no'.
סְנַפִּ֣ירfinN m sg abs · סְנַפִּיר (H5579)Subject of the negated existential clauseסְנַפִּיר (H5579) 'fin'; see v. 9.
וְקַשְׂקֶ֗שֶׂתand scalesconj וְ + N f sg abs · קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת (H7193)Coordinate subject of the negated existential clauseקַשְׂקֶשֶׂת (H7193) 'scale(s)'; see v. 9. This covers, e.g., catfish, eels, and shellfish.
בַּיַּמִּים֙in the seasprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יָם (H3220)Locative prepositional phraseיָם (H3220) 'sea'.
וּבַנְּחָלִ֔יםand in the streamsconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · נַחַל (H5158)Coordinate locative prepositional phraseנַחַל (H5158) 'stream, wadi'.
מִכֹּל֙from allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; partitive over the following construct chain.
שֶׁ֣רֶץthe swarming things ofN m sg constr · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Construct chain (genitival head)שֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'; the chapter's technical term for small, teeming, or crawling creatures — introduced here for water-life, later for winged insects (v. 20-23) and land creatures (vv. 29-43).
הַמַּ֔יִםthe waterart + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Genitive of the construct chainמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; completes 'the swarming things of the water'.
וּמִכֹּ֛לand from allconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; introduces a second, broader category alongside שֶׁרֶץ הַמַּיִם.
נֶ֥פֶשׁthe living being ofN c sg constr · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Construct chain (genitival head)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, living being'; here in construct, 'the living creature'.
הַחַיָּ֖הthe livingart + adj f sg abs · חַי (H2416)Genitive/attributive completing the construct chainחַי (H2416) 'living'; here attributive to נֶפֶשׁ, 'the living creature' — any animate water-dweller.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
בַּמָּ֑יִםin the waterprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phraseמַיִם (H4325) 'water'.
שֶׁ֥קֶץa detestable thingN m sg abs · שֶׁקֶץ (H8263)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseשֶׁקֶץ (H8263) 'detestable thing, abomination'; a stronger term than טָמֵא, reserved in this chapter chiefly for creatures forbidden even to touch as carcasses (cf. v. 11-12) — the language intensifies for what is failed doubly.
הֵ֖םthey (are)pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming the fronted וְכֹלהֵם (H1992), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
11

וְשֶׁ֖קֶץ יִהְי֣וּ לָכֶ֑ם מִבְּשָׂרָם֙ לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֔לוּ וְאֶת נִבְלָתָ֖ם תְּשַׁקֵּֽצוּ

And they shall be a detestable thing to you; you shall not eat of their flesh, and their carcass you shall detest.

Reinforcement of the ruling with the disposition-verb שִׁקֵּץוְ
This verse doubles back to restate v. 10's ruling with fresh emphasis, adding a positive command to actively detest (שִׁקֵּץ) the carcass, not merely avoid eating it — the same rhetorical intensification recurs in v. 13 and v. 43.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְשֶׁ֖קֶץand a detestable thingconj וְ + N m sg abs · שֶׁקֶץ (H8263)Predicate nominative (fronted for emphasis)שֶׁקֶץ (H8263) 'detestable thing'; restates and reinforces v. 10's ruling.
יִהְי֣וּthey shall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative status — a standing classification, not a one-time eventהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; states the fixed ritual status of finless, scaleless water creatures.
לָכֶ֑םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
מִבְּשָׂרָם֙from their fleshprep מִן + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Partitive prepositional phrase (object of prohibition)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, meat'.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
תֹאכֵ֔לוּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, negated prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: standing prohibitionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ joins the clause; אֵת marks נִבְלָתָם as the definite object.
נִבְלָתָ֖םtheir carcassN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Direct object of תְּשַׁקֵּצוּנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'; even the dead body of a forbidden water creature is to be held in abhorrence.
תְּשַׁקֵּֽצוּyou shall detestPiel impf 2mp · שִׁקֵּץ (H8262)Predicate verb (main clause, positive command)→ Yiqtol as volitional: a required attitude, not merely an actשִׁקֵּץ (H8262) Piel 'to regard as detestable, abominate', denominative from שֶׁקֶץ; the law legislates a disposition of revulsion, not only abstention.
12

כֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵֽין ל֛וֹ סְנַפִּ֥יר וְקַשְׂקֶ֖שֶׂת בַּמָּ֑יִם שֶׁ֥קֶץ ה֖וּא לָכֶֽם

Everything in the water that does not have fins and scales — that is a detestable thing to you.

Final summary restating the water-creature ruleasyndeton
A concise closing restatement of vv. 9-11, marking the end of the water-creature section before the bird list begins in v. 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
כֹּ֣לanyN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Casus pendens / fronted subject (resumed by הוּא below)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; summarizes the water-creature rule (vv. 9-12) with the criterion restated once more.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
אֵֽיןthere is notexistential negative · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of the negated existential clauseאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'.
ל֛וֹit (has)prep לְ + 3ms suffixSubject-complement of the possessive negationלְ + 3ms suffix, possessive, negated by אֵין = 'it has no'.
סְנַפִּ֥ירfinN m sg abs · סְנַפִּיר (H5579)Subject of the negated existential clauseסְנַפִּיר (H5579) 'fin'; see v. 9.
וְקַשְׂקֶ֖שֶׂתand scalesconj וְ + N f sg abs · קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת (H7193)Coordinate subject of the negated existential clauseקַשְׂקֶשֶׂת (H7193) 'scale(s)'; see v. 9.
בַּמָּ֑יִםin the waterprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phraseמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; closing summary of the domain, now unspecified (contrast the seas/streams detail of vv. 9-10).
שֶׁ֥קֶץa detestable thingN m sg abs · שֶׁקֶץ (H8263)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseשֶׁקֶץ (H8263) 'detestable thing'; closes the water-creature section with the ruling restated a final time.
ה֖וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming the fronted כֹּלהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'; closes the water-creature section (vv. 9-12).
13

וְאֶת אֵ֨לֶּה֙ תְּשַׁקְּצ֣וּ מִן הָע֔וֹף לֹ֥א יֵאָכְל֖וּ שֶׁ֣קֶץ הֵ֑ם אֶת הַנֶּ֨שֶׁר֙ וְאֶת הַפֶּ֔רֶס וְאֵ֖ת הָעָזְנִיָּֽה

And these you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are a detestable thing: the eagle, the bearded vulture, and the black vulture,

Opens the bird list with no stated positive criterionוְ
Unlike the land and water sections, the bird list gives no general rule (like split-hoof-and-cud or fins-and-scales) — only a bare enumeration of forbidden species, mostly raptors and scavengers. Several names in vv. 13-19 are hapax legomena whose precise zoological referent is simply not recoverable with confidence.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ opens the new section; אֵת marks אֵלֶּה as object, cataphoric to the bird list.
אֵ֨לֶּה֙thesedem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Direct object (cataphoric, resumed by the named birds)אֵלֶּה (H428), plural demonstrative pointing forward to the twenty birds now to be named.
תְּשַׁקְּצ֣וּyou shall detestPiel impf 2mp · שִׁקֵּץ (H8262)Predicate verb (main clause, positive command)→ Yiqtol as volitional: a required attitudeשִׁקֵּץ (H8262) Piel 'to regard as detestable'; as in v. 11, the command targets disposition, not only diet.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; partitive, 'from among the birds'.
הָע֔וֹףthe birdsart + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Object of the preposition מִןעוֹף (H5775) 'flying creature, bird' (collective); unlike the land and water sections, no positive criterion is given for birds — only a named negative list follows, vv. 13-19.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
יֵאָכְל֖וּthey shall be eatenNiphal impf 3mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, passive prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated, passive: standing prohibition stated from the food's perspectiveאָכַל (H398) Niphal 'to be eaten'; the passive voice shifts focus from the eater (as in vv. 4, 8) to the forbidden creature itself.
שֶׁ֣קֶץa detestable thingN m sg abs · שֶׁקֶץ (H8263)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseשֶׁקֶץ (H8263) 'detestable thing'; states the shared classification before the individual species are named.
הֵ֑םthey (are)pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming אֵלֶּההֵם (H1992), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (opens the named list)אֵת (H853), marking the first named bird as object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּ.
הַנֶּ֨שֶׁר֙the eagle/vultureart + N m sg abs · נֶשֶׁר (H5404)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּ (first named bird)נֶשֶׁר (H5404), most likely the griffon vulture (large raptors and vultures are not sharply distinguished in Hebrew usage); a carrion- and flesh-eater, excluded as with all birds of prey in this list.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַפֶּ֔רֶסthe bearded vultureart + N m sg abs · פֶּרֶס (H6538)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּפֶּרֶס (H6538), traditionally the bearded vulture or ossifrage ('bone-breaker'), from the root פרס 'to break, split'; identification is reasonably secure among the ancient versions.
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הָעָזְנִיָּֽהthe black vulture/ospreyart + N f sg abs · עָזְנִיָּה (H5822)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּעָזְנִיָּה (H5822), a hapax legomenon in the singular list; possibly the black vulture or osprey, but the precise species is genuinely uncertain — the ancient versions themselves diverge.
14

וְאֶת הַ֨דָּאָ֔ה וְאֶת הָאַיָּ֖ה לְמִינָֽהּ

the kite and the falcon according to its kind,

Continues the bird listוְ
The recurring לְמִינוֹ/לְמִינָהּ formula ('according to its kind') signals that some named terms are umbrella categories for related species rather than single species.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַ֨דָּאָ֔הthe kiteart + N f sg abs · דָּאָה (H1676)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּדָּאָה (H1676), likely a kite or buzzard, from the root דאה 'to fly, soar'; the parallel in Deut 14:13 has רָאָה instead, a well-known textual variant (possibly a scribal ד/ר confusion).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הָאַיָּ֖הthe falconart + N f sg abs · אַיָּה (H344)Direct object, head of the construct-like class phrase completed by לְמִינָהּאַיָּה (H344), a falcon or hawk species, from a root suggesting a shrill cry; here treated as a category with variant kinds (לְמִינָהּ).
לְמִינָֽהּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3fs suffix · מִין (H4327)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/classificationמִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; recurring formula acknowledging that the named Hebrew term covers a taxonomic group of related species, not one modern species alone — a signal the list is functional/folk-taxonomic rather than scientific.
15

אֵ֥ת כָּל עֹרֵ֖ב לְמִינֽוֹ

every raven according to its kind,

Single-item continuation of the bird listasyndeton
עֹרֵב is one of the few securely identified birds in this list, its kind-formula acknowledging the various corvid species (ravens, crows, jackdaws) it covers.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כָּל עֹרֵב as object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּ.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with עֹרֵב, 'every raven'.
עֹרֵ֖בravenN m sg abs · עֹרֵב (H6158)Genitive of the construct chainעֹרֵב (H6158) 'raven, crow'; a well-identified corvid, here explicitly said to cover 'every kind' (לְמִינוֹ) of corvid.
לְמִינֽוֹaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/classificationמִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; see v. 14.
16

וְאֵת֙ בַּ֣ת הַֽיַּעֲנָ֔ה וְאֶת הַתַּחְמָ֖ס וְאֶת הַשָּׁ֑חַף וְאֶת הַנֵּ֖ץ לְמִינֵֽהוּ

and the ostrich, and the nighthawk, and the gull, and the hawk according to its kind,

Continues the bird listוְ
Several of these names (תַּחְמָס, שַׁחַף) are hapax legomena whose species-identity is genuinely uncertain; the list's value lies in comprehensiveness, not precise zoological classification.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
בַּ֣תdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Construct chain (genitival head)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; idiomatic construct בַּת הַיַּעֲנָה, conventionally 'ostrich' (lit. 'daughter of the wilderness/greed').
הַֽיַּעֲנָ֔הthe ostrichart + N f sg abs · יַעֲנָה (H3284)Genitive of the construct chainיַעֲנָה (H3284), of uncertain etymology, possibly related to a root for greed or to the wilderness (יְשִׁימוֹן); the compound בַּת הַיַּעֲנָה is widely rendered 'ostrich' following ancient tradition, though the sense of the second element alone is unclear.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַתַּחְמָ֖סthe nighthawk/owlart + N m sg abs · תַּחְמָס (H8464)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּתַּחְמָס (H8464), a hapax legomenon in this list; identification as nighthawk, owl, or male ostrich has all been proposed and none is certain — the root (חמס 'violence') suggests a predator but does not fix the species.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַשָּׁ֑חַףthe gull/cuckooart + N m sg abs · שַׁחַף (H7828)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּשַׁחַף (H7828), from a root meaning 'to be lean, gaunt', variously identified as a gull, tern, or cuckoo; the etymology hints at appearance rather than fixing species.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַנֵּ֖ץthe hawkart + N m sg abs · נֵץ (H5322)Direct object, head of the class phrase completed by לְמִינֵהוּנֵץ (H5322) 'hawk', a fairly securely identified small raptor, from a root meaning 'to fly, soar'; explicitly a multi-species category (לְמִינֵהוּ).
לְמִינֵֽהוּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/classificationמִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; see v. 14.
17

וְאֶת הַכּ֥וֹס וְאֶת הַשָּׁלָ֖ךְ וְאֶת הַיַּנְשֽׁוּף

and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,

Continues the bird list (owls and diving birds)וְ
This trio groups nocturnal and aquatic predators; שָׁלָךְ's etymology ('to hurl, plunge') gives unusual confidence for what is otherwise a hapax legomenon.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַכּ֥וֹסthe little owlart + N m sg abs · כּוֹס (H3563)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּכּוֹס (H3563), generally identified as a small owl species (cf. Ps 102:7); reasonably well attested across the versions.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַשָּׁלָ֖ךְthe cormorantart + N m sg abs · שָׁלָךְ (H7994)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּשָׁלָךְ (H7994), from שׁלך 'to hurl, plunge' — a plunge-diver, generally taken as the cormorant; a hapax legomenon here but the etymology gives reasonable confidence.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַיַּנְשֽׁוּףthe great owlart + N m sg abs · יַנְשׁוּף (H3244)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּיַנְשׁוּף (H3244), some kind of owl (perhaps eagle owl or ibis in other versions); the versions diverge, and precise identification is uncertain.
18

וְאֶת הַתִּנְשֶׁ֥מֶת וְאֶת הַקָּאָ֖ת וְאֶת הָרָחָֽם

and the barn owl, and the pelican, and the carrion vulture,

Continues the bird listוְ
תִּנְשֶׁמֶת recurs at v. 30 denoting an entirely different creature (a lizard) — a striking case of one Hebrew form covering two unrelated referents within a single chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַתִּנְשֶׁ֥מֶתthe barn owl/water henart + N f sg abs · תִּנְשֶׁמֶת (H8580)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּתִּנְשֶׁמֶת (H8580), the same word recurs at v. 30 for a lizard — the identical form is used for two entirely different creatures in this chapter, a genuine lexical puzzle; here in the bird list it is usually taken as an owl or water hen, but the identification is not secure.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַקָּאָ֖תthe pelicanart + N f sg abs · קָאָת (H6893)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּקָאָת (H6893), commonly identified as the pelican, from a root suggesting vomiting or disgorging (matching pelican feeding behavior), though 'desert owl' has also been proposed.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the final bird of this verse's group as object.
הָרָחָֽםthe carrion vultureart + N m sg abs · רָחָם (H7360)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּרָחָם (H7360), likely the Egyptian vulture, from the root רחם ('womb, compassion') — an odd semantic pairing whose connection to the bird (perhaps a folk-etymology about maternal devotion) is unclear.
19

וְאֵת֙ הַחֲסִידָ֔ה הָאֲנָפָ֖ה לְמִינָ֑הּ וְאֶת הַדּוּכִיפַ֖ת וְאֶת הָעֲטַלֵּֽף

and the stork, the heron according to its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.

Closes the bird list (vv. 13-19) with the batוְ
The bat's inclusion among עוֹף confirms the category is defined by flight, not zoological class — the list closes with the chapter's clearest example of functional rather than modern taxonomy.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַחֲסִידָ֔הthe storkart + N f sg abs · חֲסִידָה (H2624)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּחֲסִידָה (H2624) 'stork', from חֶסֶד 'loyal love, kindness' — ironically named for its (proverbial) devotion to its young, a securely identified bird.
הָאֲנָפָ֖הthe heronart + N f sg abs · אֲנָפָה (H601)Direct object in apposition/parallel with הַחֲסִידָה, head of the class phrase completed by לְמִינָהּאֲנָפָה (H601), generally 'heron', though the root (אנף 'to be angry') has suggested to some a bird known for aggression; treated here as a multi-species category.
לְמִינָ֑הּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3fs suffix · מִין (H4327)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/classificationמִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; see v. 14.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next bird as object.
הַדּוּכִיפַ֖תthe hoopoeart + N f sg abs · דּוּכִיפַת (H1744)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּדּוּכִיפַת (H1744) 'hoopoe', a hapax legomenon but consistently identified across the ancient versions with the distinctive crested bird known for foraging in dung and carrion.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the final creature of the bird list as object.
הָעֲטַלֵּֽףthe batart + N m sg abs · עֲטַלֵּף (H5847)Direct object of the implied תְּשַׁקְּצוּ (closing the עוֹף list)עֲטַלֵּף (H5847) 'bat'; a mammal classed with עוֹף because it flies — a reminder that the chapter's taxonomy is functional (locomotion/habitat) rather than modern biological classification, closing the bird section on this note.
20

כֹּ֚ל שֶׁ֣רֶץ הָע֔וֹף הַהֹלֵ֖ךְ עַל אַרְבַּ֑ע שֶׁ֥קֶץ ה֖וּא לָכֶֽם

Every winged swarming creature that walks on four legs is a detestable thing to you.

Opens the winged-insect section with the general ruleasyndeton
עוֹף here denotes flying insects rather than birds (the same word spans both categories); the general rule excludes four-legged crawling insects before the locust exception of vv. 21-22.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
כֹּ֚לeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted topicכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; opens the new section on winged swarming creatures (vv. 20-23).
שֶׁ֣רֶץswarming thing ofN m sg constr · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Construct chain (genitival head)שֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'; here for winged insects, as at v. 10 for water creatures.
הָע֔וֹףthe flying creaturesart + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Genitive of the construct chainעוֹף (H5775) 'flying creature'; here covering winged insects, not birds — the same term spans both categories (cf. v. 13).
הַהֹלֵ֖ךְthat walksart + Qal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive participle modifying הָעוֹף→ Participle: characteristic propertyהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; describes insects that walk on four (or more) legs rather than merely flying.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; idiomatic with numerals for manner of locomotion, 'on four [legs]'.
אַרְבַּ֑עfournumeral f sg abs · אַרְבַּע (H702)Object of the preposition עַלאַרְבַּע (H702) 'four'; elliptical for legs, describing insects that crawl on all their legs rather than hopping (contrast v. 21's exception).
שֶׁ֥קֶץa detestable thingN m sg abs · שֶׁקֶץ (H8263)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseשֶׁקֶץ (H8263) 'detestable thing'; the general ruling before the locust exception of v. 21-22.
ה֖וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming כֹּלהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
21

אַ֤ךְ אֶת זֶה֙ תֹּֽאכְל֔וּ מִכֹּל֙ שֶׁ֣רֶץ הָע֔וֹף הַהֹלֵ֖ךְ עַל אַרְבַּ֑ע אֲשֶׁר לא ל֤וֹ כְרָעַ֨יִם֙ מִמַּ֣עַל לְרַגְלָ֔יו לְנַתֵּ֥ר בָּהֵ֖ן עַל הָאָֽרֶץ

But this you may eat, among all winged swarming creatures that walk on four legs: those which have jointed legs above their feet, with which to leap on the earth.

The locust exception: positive criterion within the winged-swarmer prohibitionאַךְ
The famous Kethiv/Qere at לא/לוֹ preserves an ancient scribal note rather than silently emending the text: the consonants read 'not' but the tradition directs the reader to pronounce 'to it', matching the sense required. It is one of the clearest cases in the Hebrew Bible of the Masoretes flagging, rather than fixing, an inherited textual peculiarity.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
אַ֤ךְhowever, butadv · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive adverb (fronted, marking exception)אַךְ (H389) 'only, but'; introduces the locust exception, as at v. 4 for land animals.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking זֶה as object.
זֶה֙thisdem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Direct object (cataphoric, resumed by the class described below)זֶה (H2088), pointing forward to the leaping-legs criterion about to be described.
תֹּֽאכְל֔וּyou may eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: permission — the positive rulingאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's only permission for a שֶׁרֶץ.
מִכֹּל֙from allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; partitive over the following construct chain.
שֶׁ֣רֶץswarming thing ofN m sg constr · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Construct chain (genitival head)שֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'.
הָע֔וֹףthe flying creaturesart + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Genitive of the construct chainעוֹף (H5775) 'flying creature'; winged insects, as in v. 20.
הַהֹלֵ֖ךְthat walksart + Qal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive participle modifying הָעוֹף→ Participle: characteristic propertyהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk'; restates v. 20's description before the exception is introduced.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; idiomatic, 'on four [legs]'.
אַרְבַּ֑עfournumeral f sg abs · אַרְבַּע (H702)Object of the preposition עַלאַרְבַּע (H702) 'four'.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the defining criterionאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
לאnot [Qere: to it]negative particle (Kethiv) · לֹא (H3808)Kethiv-Qere anomaly: written לא ('not') but traditionally read לוֹ ('to it')A classic Kethiv/Qere case: the consonantal text has לא 'not', but the Masoretic reading tradition (Qere) supplies לוֹ 'to it/for it', matching the sense ('which has jointed legs above its feet') rather than a double negative; the Masoretes preserved the anomaly rather than silently correcting it.
ל֤וֹit hasprep לְ + 3ms suffixPredicate of possession ('has'), completing the Qere readingלְ + 3ms suffix, possessive; together with the Qere לוֹ above, 'it has [jointed legs]'.
כְרָעַ֨יִם֙jointed legsN c dual abs · כֶּרַע (H3767)Subject of the possessive clauseכֶּרַע (H3767) 'leg, jointed limb' (dual: a pair), typically the lower leg-segment of an animal; here the springing hind-leg-joint of locusts.
מִמַּ֣עַלabove, higher thanprep מִן + adv · מַעַל (H4605)Locative prepositional phraseמַעַל (H4605) 'above, upward'; describes the leaping-leg joint's position relative to the ordinary feet.
לְרַגְלָ֔יוto its feetprep לְ + N f dual constr + 3ms suffix · רֶגֶל (H7272)Object of the compound preposition מִמַּעַל לְרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot, leg' (dual, a pair); the ordinary walking feet, distinguished from the jointed springing legs above them.
לְנַתֵּ֥רto leapprep לְ + Piel inf constr · נָתַר (H5425)Infinitive of purpose→ Infinitive: purpose — what the jointed legs are forנָתַר (H5425) Piel 'to spring, leap'; names the diagnostic function of the extra leg-joint, distinguishing true locusts/crickets/grasshoppers from other winged crawlers.
בָּהֵ֖ןwith themprep בְּ + 3fp suffixInstrumental prepositional phrase completing לְנַתֵּרבְּ + 3fp suffix, referring back to כְרָעַיִם, 'to leap with them (the jointed legs)'.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; the surface on which the locust lands after leaping.
22

אֶת אֵ֤לֶּה מֵהֶם֙ תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ אֶת הָֽאַרְבֶּ֣ה לְמִינ֔וֹ וְאֶת הַסָּלְעָ֖ם לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וְאֶת הַחַרְגֹּ֣ל לְמִינֵ֔הוּ וְאֶת הֶחָגָ֖ב לְמִינֵֽהוּ

These of them you may eat: the locust according to its kind, the bald locust according to its kind, the cricket according to its kind, and the grasshopper according to its kind.

Names the four permitted locust-kindsasyndeton
Only these four terms are named as exceptions to the general prohibition on swarming winged creatures; all four are probably orthopteran (the locust/grasshopper family), though the second and third are not identifiable with confidence beyond that.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אֵלֶּה as object, cataphoric to the four named locust-kinds.
אֵ֤לֶּהthesedem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Direct object (cataphoric)אֵלֶּה (H428), plural demonstrative pointing forward to the four locust-types now named.
מֵהֶם֙from themprep מִן + 3mp suffixPartitive prepositional phraseמִן + 3mp suffix, 'from them (the winged swarming creatures)' — partitive, since only these four kinds are permitted.
תֹּאכֵ֔לוּyou may eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: permissionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאַרְבֶּה as object.
הָֽאַרְבֶּ֣הthe locustart + N m sg abs · אַרְבֶּה (H697)Direct object, head of the class phrase completed by לְמִינוֹאַרְבֶּה (H697), from רבה 'to multiply' — the common migratory locust, the most frequent locust-term in the Hebrew Bible (e.g. Exod 10) and securely identified.
לְמִינ֔וֹaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/classificationמִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; see v. 14.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next locust-kind as object.
הַסָּלְעָ֖םthe bald locustart + N m sg abs · סָלְעָם (H5556)Direct object, head of the class phrase completed by לְמִינֵהוּסָלְעָם (H5556), a hapax legomenon, from סֶלַע 'rock' — perhaps a rock-dwelling or crag-locust species; the precise identification beyond 'a kind of locust' is uncertain.
לְמִינֵ֑הוּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/classificationמִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; see v. 14.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the next locust-kind as object.
הַחַרְגֹּ֣לthe cricketart + N m sg abs · חַרְגֹּל (H2728)Direct object, head of the class phrase completed by לְמִינֵהוּחַרְגֹּל (H2728), a hapax legomenon, possibly related to a root for leaping or girding; conventionally 'cricket' but the identification rests on tradition rather than certain etymology.
לְמִינֵ֔הוּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/classificationמִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; see v. 14.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links the list; אֵת marks the last locust-kind as object.
הֶחָגָ֖בthe grasshopperart + N m sg abs · חָגָב (H2284)Direct object, head of the class phrase completed by לְמִינֵהוּחָגָב (H2284) 'grasshopper', the same term used for the diminutive self-image of the spies in Num 13:33 — a small, familiar hopping insect.
לְמִינֵֽהוּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/classificationמִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; closes the four-item permitted list (vv. 21-22).
23

וְכֹל֙ שֶׁ֣רֶץ הָע֔וֹף אֲשֶׁר ל֖וֹ אַרְבַּ֣ע רַגְלָ֑יִם שֶׁ֥קֶץ ה֖וּא לָכֶֽם

But any winged swarming creature that has four legs is a detestable thing to you.

Closes the winged-insect section with the general rule restatedוְ
The adversative return to the general prohibition (contrast v. 21's אַךְ) frames the locust exception as a narrow carve-out within an otherwise comprehensive ban on four-legged flying swarmers.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְכֹל֙but everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted contrastive topicכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the adversative return to the general rule after the locust exception.
שֶׁ֣רֶץswarming thing ofN m sg constr · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Construct chain (genitival head)שֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'.
הָע֔וֹףthe flying creaturesart + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Genitive of the construct chainעוֹף (H5775) 'flying creature'; winged insects, as in vv. 20-21.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
ל֖וֹit hasprep לְ + 3ms suffixPredicate of possession ('has')לְ + 3ms suffix, possessive, 'it has'; unlike v. 21, no Kethiv/Qere anomaly here — the plain positive statement of four ordinary legs.
אַרְבַּ֣עfournumeral f sg abs · אַרְבַּע (H702)Modifier of רַגְלָיִםאַרְבַּע (H702) 'four'; here modifying רַגְלַיִם directly, unlike the idiomatic עַל אַרְבַּע of vv. 20-21.
רַגְלָ֑יִםfeetN f dual abs · רֶגֶל (H7272)Subject of the possessive clauseרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot, leg'; here plain 'four legs' without the special leaping-joint of the locust exception — any other four-legged flying swarmer is excluded.
שֶׁ֥קֶץa detestable thingN m sg abs · שֶׁקֶץ (H8263)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseשֶׁקֶץ (H8263) 'detestable thing'; closes the winged-swarming-creature section (vv. 20-23) with the general ruling restated.
ה֖וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming כֹּלהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'; closes the section before the carcass-contamination laws of vv. 24ff.
24

וּלְאֵ֖לֶּה תִּטַּמָּ֑אוּ כָּל הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בְּנִבְלָתָ֖ם יִטְמָ֥א עַד הָעָֽרֶב

And by these you shall become unclean: whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until evening.

Opens the carcass-contact-impurity casuistryוְ
The Hitpael תִּטַּמָּאוּ frames defilement as something contracted through one's own contact, not an inherent state — the first of a long series of contact rules extending through v. 40.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וּלְאֵ֖לֶּהand by theseconj וְ + prep לְ + dem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Prepositional phrase, instrumental/causal (opens new section)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these', referring back to the whole preceding catalogue of unclean creatures; opens the transmission-of-impurity section (vv. 24-40).
תִּטַּמָּ֑אוּyou become uncleanHitpael impf 2mp · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol reflexive: process of becoming defiled through contactטָמֵא (H2930) Hitpael 'to make oneself unclean, become unclean'; the reflexive stem marks contracting impurity as something that happens to a person through contact, not an inherent trait.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
הַנֹּגֵ֥עַthe one touchingart + Qal ptc m sg abs · נָגַע (H5060)Substantival participle (genitive of the construct chain, subject class)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch'; substantival, 'whoever touches', opening the chapter's extended contact-contamination casuistry.
בְּנִבְלָתָ֖םtheir carcassprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Object of the participle הַנֹּגֵעַנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'; refers back to the creatures named in vv. 4-8, 13-23, 29-30, etc.
יִטְמָ֥אhe shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) Qal 'to be/become unclean'; the standard verdict formula recurring throughout the chapter's contact-contamination rulings.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration limit)עַד (H5704) 'until'; sets the standard duration of minor impurity.
הָעָֽרֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; the standard, self-limiting term of minor impurity in P, requiring no sacrifice — only the passage of a day and (as v. 25 adds) laundering.
25

וְכָל הַנֹּשֵׂ֖א מִנִּבְלָתָ֑ם יְכַבֵּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָמֵ֥א עַד הָעָֽרֶב

And whoever carries any part of their carcass shall wash his garments and be unclean until evening.

Escalates from touching to carryingוְ
Carrying the carcass (moving it) requires an additional remedy, laundering clothing, beyond the mere day-long impurity of touching alone (v. 24) — a graduated scale of contact severity.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
הַנֹּשֵׂ֖אthe one carryingart + Qal ptc m sg abs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Substantival participle (genitive of the construct chain, subject class)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; a stronger form of contact than mere touching (v. 24) — moving the carcass, hence the added requirement to launder clothing.
מִנִּבְלָתָ֑םfrom their carcassprep מִן + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Object of the participle הַנֹּשֵׂאנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'.
יְכַבֵּ֥סhe shall washPiel impf 3ms · כִּבֵּס (H3526)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: required remedial actionכִּבֵּס (H3526) Piel 'to wash, launder (clothing)'; the standard first-stage remedy for contact-impurity, always paired with waiting until evening.
בְּגָדָ֖יוhis garmentsN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object of יְכַבֵּסבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'; laundering clothing is the recurring remedy for one-day contact-impurity throughout this chapter.
וְטָמֵ֥אand he shall be uncleanconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: continuing consequence in sequence with the required washingטָמֵא (H2930) Qal 'to be unclean'; states the duration of impurity even after laundering — the wash does not immediately cleanse, but the day's passage does.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration limit)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
הָעָֽרֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; see v. 24.
26

לְֽכָל הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִוא֩ מַפְרֶ֨סֶת פַּרְסָ֜ה וְשֶׁ֣סַע אֵינֶ֣נָּה שֹׁסַ֗עַת וְגֵרָה֙ אֵינֶ֣נָּה מַעֲלָ֔ה טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖ם לָכֶ֑ם כָּל הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּהֶ֖ם יִטְמָֽא

For every animal that has a split hoof but the hoof is not completely divided, or that does not chew the cud, they are unclean to you; whoever touches them shall be unclean.

Extends the double-criterion test to partial/ambiguous casesasyndeton
The verse addresses animals whose hoof is imperfectly cloven — a nuance beyond vv. 3-8's clean cases — and extends impurity to touching the living animal itself, not only its carcass.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
לְֽכָלfor everyprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase of reference (fronted topic)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; returns to the land-animal double criterion of vv. 2-8, now stated from the angle of contact-impurity.
הַבְּהֵמָ֡הthe animalart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive of the preposition לְכָלבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, animal'; see v. 2.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
הִוא֩it (is)pron 3fs · הִוא (H1931)Subject of the relative clauseהִוא (H1931), fem. independent pronoun, resumptive subject of the relative clause.
מַפְרֶ֨סֶתsplittingHiphil ptc f sg abs · פָּרַס (H6536)Predicate participle (first criterion, met)→ Participle: characteristic propertyפָּרַס (H6536) Hiphil 'to split'; the animal has a cloven hoof (first test met).
פַּרְסָ֜הa hoofN f sg abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Direct object of מַפְרֶסֶתפַּרְסָה (H6541) 'hoof'.
וְשֶׁ֣סַעbut a splitconj וְ + N m sg abs · שֶׁסַע (H8156)Subject of the negated clause (second criterion, failed)שֶׁסַע (H8156/H8157) 'split, cleft'; here the hoof is split but not completely cloven through — a partial or malformed hoof that fails the strict criterion of v. 3.
אֵינֶ֣נָּהit is notexistential negative + 3fs suffix · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of the negated existential clauseאַיִן (H369) 'there is not', with 3fs suffix; negates the completeness of the cleft.
שֹׁסַ֗עַתcleavingQal ptc f sg abs · שָׁסַע (H8157)Participle negated by אֵינֶנָּה (criterion failed)→ Participle: characteristic property, here negatedשָׁסַע (H8157) Qal 'to split, cleave'; negated — the hoof does not cleave all the way through.
וְגֵרָה֙or the cudconj וְ + N f sg abs · גֵּרָה (H1625)Subject of the negated clause (an alternative failed criterion)גֵּרָה (H1625) 'cud'; the verse covers two distinct failure modes — a malformed hoof, or lack of rumination — either being sufficient to disqualify.
אֵינֶ֣נָּהit is notexistential negative + 3fs suffix · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of the negated existential clauseאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'.
מַעֲלָ֔הbringing upHiphil ptc f sg abs · עָלָה (H5927)Participle negated by אֵינֶנָּה (criterion failed)→ Participle: characteristic property, here negatedעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up (the cud)'; negated — the animal does not ruminate.
טְמֵאִ֥יםuncleanadj m pl abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; plural agreeing collectively with the class described.
הֵ֖םthey (are)pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the verbless clauseהֵם (H1992), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶ֑םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; shifts to the contact-impurity ruling for this class of animal.
הַנֹּגֵ֥עַthe one touchingart + Qal ptc m sg abs · נָגַע (H5060)Substantival participle (genitive of the construct chain, subject class)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch'; note this rule covers touching the living animal itself, not only its carcass — a broader prohibition than vv. 24-25.
בָּהֶ֖םthemprep בְּ + 3mp suffixObject of the participle הַנֹּגֵעַבְּ + 3mp suffix, referring to the animals themselves (not merely their carcasses).
יִטְמָֽאhe shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'; no evening-limit is stated for this touching-while-alive case, distinguishing it slightly from the carcass rules that follow.
27

וְכֹ֣ל הוֹלֵ֣ךְ עַל כַּפָּ֗יו בְּכָל הַֽחַיָּה֙ הַהֹלֶ֣כֶת עַל אַרְבַּ֔ע טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖ם לָכֶ֑ם כָּל הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בְּנִבְלָתָ֖ם יִטְמָ֥א עַד הָעָֽרֶב

And every creature that walks on its paws, among all the animals that walk on four legs, is unclean to you; whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until evening.

Extends the impurity rule to paw-footed animalsוְ
כַּף ('paw') identifies carnivorous and other soft-footed quadrupeds as a distinct class from both the split-hoofed animals of vv. 3-8 and the many-legged swarmers of vv. 29ff., completing the land-animal taxonomy by locomotion and foot-type.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְכֹ֣לand everyconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Casus pendens / fronted subject (resumed by הֵם below)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; introduces a new class alongside the hoofed-animal cases of v. 26.
הוֹלֵ֣ךְwalkingQal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive participle modifying כֹּל (defining criterion)→ Participle: characteristic propertyהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; describes the mode of locomotion that defines this class.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; idiomatic, 'on its paws'.
כַּפָּ֗יוits pawsN f dual constr + 3ms suffix · כַּף (H3709)Object of the preposition עַלכַּף (H3709) 'palm, paw, sole'; defines this class as animals that walk on soft paws rather than hooves — carnivorous and other paw-footed creatures (e.g. cats, dogs, bears).
בְּכָלamong allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; partitive, scoping the rule to the whole animal kingdom.
הַֽחַיָּה֙the living creaturesart + N f sg abs · חַיָּה (H2416)Object of the preposition בְּכָלחַיָּה (H2416) 'living thing, animal'; see v. 2.
הַהֹלֶ֣כֶתthat walkart + Qal ptc f sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive participle modifying הַחַיָּה→ Participle: characteristic propertyהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk'; restates the four-legged mode of locomotion.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; idiomatic, 'on four [legs]'.
אַרְבַּ֔עfournumeral f sg abs · אַרְבַּע (H702)Object of the preposition עַלאַרְבַּע (H702) 'four'.
טְמֵאִ֥יםuncleanadj m pl abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'.
הֵ֖םthey (are)pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming the fronted וְכֹלהֵם (H1992), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶ֑םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
הַנֹּגֵ֥עַthe one touchingart + Qal ptc m sg abs · נָגַע (H5060)Substantival participle (genitive of the construct chain, subject class)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch'.
בְּנִבְלָתָ֖םtheir carcassprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Object of the participle הַנֹּגֵעַנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'.
יִטְמָ֥אhe shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration limit)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
הָעָֽרֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; see v. 24.
28

וְהַנֹּשֵׂא֙ אֶת נִבְלָתָ֔ם יְכַבֵּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָמֵ֣א עַד הָעָ֑רֶב טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖מָּה לָכֶֽם

And whoever carries their carcass shall wash his garments and be unclean until evening; they are unclean to you.

Parallel carrying-rule for paw-footed animalsוְ
Completes the pattern established in v. 25 for hoofed animals, now applied to the paw-footed class of v. 27, before the chapter turns to small land-swarming creatures in v. 29.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהַנֹּשֵׂא֙and the one carryingconj וְ + art + Qal ptc m sg abs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Substantival participle (fronted subject)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; parallel to v. 25's ruling for the swarming-paw-footed creatures of v. 27.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking נִבְלָתָם as object.
נִבְלָתָ֔םtheir carcassN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Direct object of הַנֹּשֵׂאנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'.
יְכַבֵּ֥סhe shall washPiel impf 3ms · כִּבֵּס (H3526)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: required remedial actionכִּבֵּס (H3526) Piel 'to launder'; see v. 25.
בְּגָדָ֖יוhis garmentsN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object of יְכַבֵּסבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'.
וְטָמֵ֣אand he shall be uncleanconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: continuing consequence in sequenceטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'; see v. 25.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration limit)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
הָעָ֑רֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'.
טְמֵאִ֥יםuncleanadj m pl abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'.
הֵ֖מָּהthey (are)pron 3mp · הֵמָּה (H1992)Subject of the verbless clauseהֵמָּה (H1992), independent pronoun, quasi-copula, expanded form of הֵם.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'; closes the land-animal contact-impurity section (vv. 24-28) before the swarming-creature list of vv. 29-38.
29

וְזֶ֤ה לָכֶם֙ הַטָּמֵ֔א בַּשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץ עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ הַחֹ֥לֶד וְהָעַכְבָּ֖ר וְהַצָּ֥ב לְמִינֵֽהוּ

And this is unclean to you among the swarming things that swarm on the earth: the weasel, the mouse, and the great lizard according to its kind,

Opens the eight-creature swarming-land-creature listוְ
As with the bird list, several of these terms (חֹלֶד, צָב) rest on the ancient versions rather than certain Hebrew etymology; the list functions as a bounded catalogue rather than a scientific taxonomy.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְזֶ֤הand thisconj וְ + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of the verbless clause (cataphoric)זֶה (H2088), opening a new section (vv. 29-38) on small swarming land creatures and the objects they defile.
לָכֶם֙to youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
הַטָּמֵ֔אthe uncleanart + adj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; substantival, 'the unclean [creature]'.
בַּשֶּׁ֖רֶץamong the swarming thingsprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Locative/partitive prepositional phraseשֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'; now applied to small land creatures — the third domain (after water and air) to receive this label.
הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץthat swarmsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · שָׁרַץ (H8317)Attributive participle modifying הַשֶּׁרֶץ→ Participle: characteristic propertyשָׁרַץ (H8317) 'to swarm, teem'; the verbal root behind שֶׁרֶץ, denoting rapid, prolific, low-to-the-ground movement.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'.
הַחֹ֥לֶדthe weasel/moleart + N m sg abs · חֹלֶד (H2467)Subject of the verbless clause (opens the list of eight named creatures)חֹלֶד (H2467), a hapax legomenon; traditionally 'weasel' or 'mole rat', the identification resting mainly on the Septuagint (γαλῆ, 'weasel') rather than a certain Hebrew etymology.
וְהָעַכְבָּ֖רand the mouseconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · עַכְבָּר (H5909)Coordinate subject of the verbless clauseעַכְבָּר (H5909) 'mouse'; a securely identified rodent, also mentioned at 1 Sam 6:4-5.
וְהַצָּ֥בand the great lizardconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · צָב (H6632)Coordinate subject, head of the class phrase completed by לְמִינֵהוּצָב (H6632), generally a large lizard (e.g. dab lizard/spiny-tailed lizard) or possibly tortoise; ancient versions differ.
לְמִינֵֽהוּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/classificationמִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; see v. 14.
30

וְהָאֲנָקָ֥ה וְהַכֹּ֖חַ וְהַלְּטָאָ֑ה וְהַחֹ֖מֶט וְהַתִּנְשָֽׁמֶת

the gecko, the monitor lizard, the lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.

Completes the eight-creature listוְ
This verse's five reptile names include several hapax legomena (אֲנָקָה, כֹּחַ, לְטָאָה, חֹמֶט) whose precise species-identity cannot be recovered with confidence; the translation tradition here rests more on educated guesswork than secure etymology.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וְהָאֲנָקָ֥הand the geckoconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · אֲנָקָה (H604)Coordinate subject continuing v. 29's listאֲנָקָה (H604), from a root meaning 'to groan, cry out'; conventionally a gecko or ferret, distinguished from the identical-sounding אֲנָקָה 'sigh, groan' elsewhere — species identity uncertain.
וְהַכֹּ֖חַand the monitor lizardconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · כֹּחַ (H3581)Coordinate subjectכֹּחַ (H3581), elsewhere 'strength, power' — here a hapax use for a reptile, perhaps a monitor lizard or chameleon; the identification is a guess from context alone.
וְהַלְּטָאָ֑הand the lizardconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · לְטָאָה (H3911)Coordinate subjectלְטָאָה (H3911), a hapax legomenon, generally taken as 'lizard' in a general sense; the root may relate to hiding or clinging.
וְהַחֹ֖מֶטand the sand lizard/snailconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · חֹמֶט (H2546)Coordinate subjectחֹמֶט (H2546), a hapax legomenon of quite uncertain meaning — proposals range from a sand lizard to a snail or chameleon; no confident identification is possible from the Hebrew alone.
וְהַתִּנְשָֽׁמֶתand the chameleonconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · תִּנְשֶׁמֶת (H8580)Coordinate subject, closing the eight-creature listתִּנְשֶׁמֶת (H8580), the same form used at v. 18 for a bird; here usually rendered 'chameleon' or 'gecko', from a root associated with breathing/puffing (perhaps the chameleon's hissing display) — the double usage for bird and reptile within one chapter is a genuine lexical puzzle, not resolved by context alone.
31

אֵ֛לֶּה הַטְּמֵאִ֥ים לָכֶ֖ם בְּכָל הַשָּׁ֑רֶץ כָּל הַנֹּגֵ֧עַ בָּהֶ֛ם בְּמֹתָ֖ם יִטְמָ֥א עַד הָעָֽרֶב

These are the unclean ones among all the swarming things; whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening.

Summarizes the eight-creature list and states the touch-ruleasyndeton
בְּמֹתָם ('in their death') explicitly restricts the rule to carcasses, distinguishing this ruling from v. 26's ruling for hoofed animals touched while alive.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
אֵ֛לֶּהthesedem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming the eight named creaturesאֵלֶּה (H428), summarizing the list of vv. 29-30.
הַטְּמֵאִ֥יםthe uncleanart + adj m pl abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; substantival, plural.
לָכֶ֖םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
בְּכָלamong allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative/partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; scopes the rule to every land-swarming creature.
הַשָּׁ֑רֶץthe swarming thingsart + N m sg abs · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Object of the preposition בְּכָלשֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
הַנֹּגֵ֧עַthe one touchingart + Qal ptc m sg abs · נָגַע (H5060)Substantival participle (genitive of the construct chain, subject class)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch'.
בָּהֶ֛םthemprep בְּ + 3mp suffixObject of the participle הַנֹּגֵעַבְּ + 3mp suffix, referring to the eight creatures alive.
בְּמֹתָ֖םin their deathprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · מָוֶת (H4194)Temporal prepositional phrase ('when dead')מָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; specifies that this touch-rule concerns their carcasses, i.e. 'when they are dead', not while alive (contrast v. 26's ruling).
יִטְמָ֥אhe shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration limit)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
הָעָֽרֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'.
32

וְכֹ֣ל אֲשֶׁר יִפֹּל עָלָיו֩ מֵהֶ֨ם בְּמֹתָ֜ם יִטְמָ֗א מִכָּל כְּלִי עֵץ֙ א֣וֹ בֶ֤גֶד אוֹ עוֹר֙ א֣וֹ שָׂ֔ק כָּל כְּלִ֕י אֲשֶׁר יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה מְלָאכָ֖ה בָּהֶ֑ם בַּמַּ֧יִם יוּבָ֛א וְטָמֵ֥א עַד הָעֶ֖רֶב וְטָהֵֽר

And anything on which one of them falls when dead shall be unclean, whether a vessel of wood, cloth, hide, or sackcloth, whatever vessel it is used for work — it shall be put into water and be unclean until evening, then it shall be clean.

Extends impurity to household objects (the vessel-contamination law)וְ
This is the chapter's key extension: impurity transmits from a dead creature not only to people but to inanimate objects. The four listed materials share water-immersion as their common remedy, in contrast to the more drastic rule for earthenware in v. 33.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
וְכֹ֣לand everyconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Casus pendens / fronted subject (resumed by יִטְמָא below)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; opens the extended rule on objects contaminated by a falling carcass.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
יִפֹּלit fallsQal impf 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb of the relative/protasis clause→ Yiqtol: hypothetical/conditional eventנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; introduces the case of a dead swarming creature falling onto household objects.
עָלָיו֩upon itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (goal of the falling)עַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, referring to whatever object the creature falls upon.
מֵהֶ֨םfrom themprep מִן + 3mp suffixPartitive prepositional phraseמִן + 3mp suffix, 'from them (the eight creatures)'.
בְּמֹתָ֜םin their deathprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · מָוֶת (H4194)Temporal prepositional phrase ('when dead')מָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; specifying the carcass, as in v. 31.
יִטְמָ֗אit shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative state, now applied to an object rather than a personטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'; impurity is here shown to transfer not only to people but to inanimate vessels — the chapter's key extension of the contamination system.
מִכָּלof anyprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase specifying materialכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; introduces the enumeration of vessel-materials affected.
כְּלִיvessel ofN m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Construct chain (genitival head)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement, utensil'; the chapter's key term for household objects susceptible to impurity.
עֵץ֙woodN m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Genitive of the construct chainעֵץ (H6086) 'wood, tree'; first of four vessel-materials named (wood, cloth, hide, sackcloth).
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; links the list of vessel-materials.
בֶ֤גֶדclothN m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Coordinate genitive (second material)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, cloth'; second of the four materials.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
עוֹר֙hideN m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Coordinate genitive (third material)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide, leather'; third of the four materials.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
שָׂ֔קsackclothN m sg abs · שַׂק (H8242)Coordinate genitive (fourth material)שַׂק (H8242) 'sackcloth'; fourth and final material listed.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), resuming the topicכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; resumes with a summarizing generalization after the four-item list.
כְּלִ֕יvesselN m sg abs · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive of the construct chainכְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement'; 'any vessel whatsoever [made of these materials]'.
אֲשֶׁרwith whichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
יֵעָשֶׂ֥הis doneNiphal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause (passive)→ Yiqtol passive: habitual/characteristic useעָשָׂה (H6213) Niphal 'to be done, made'; 'with which work is done' = any vessel put to functional use.
מְלָאכָ֖הworkN f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Subject of the passive verb יֵעָשֶׂהמְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work, occupation, task'; defines the vessel's category by its functional use rather than its shape.
בָּהֶ֑םwith themprep בְּ + 3mp suffixInstrumental prepositional phrase completing יֵעָשֶׂהבְּ + 3mp suffix, referring to the vessels, 'with which [work] is done'.
בַּמַּ֧יִםinto the waterprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the required remedy for a contaminated vessel of these materials — immersion, not destruction (contrast the earthenware vessel of v. 33).
יוּבָ֛אit shall be broughtHophal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (apodosis, passive)→ Yiqtol passive: required remedial actionבּוֹא (H935) Hophal 'to be brought'; the vessel is to be brought/put into water for purification.
וְטָמֵ֥אand it shall be uncleanconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: continuing consequence — the immersion does not immediately purifyטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'; even after immersion, the vessel remains unclean until evening, then becomes clean (וְטָהֵר).
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration limit)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
הָעֶ֖רֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'.
וְטָהֵֽרand it shall be cleanconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · טָהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb (weqatal, resolving the sequence)→ Weqatal: final resulting state after the waiting periodטָהֵר (H2891) Qal 'to be/become clean'; the resolution of the temporary impurity — the vessel is fully restored to use, unlike the earthenware vessel of v. 33.
33

וְכָל כְּלִי חֶ֔רֶשׂ אֲשֶׁר יִפֹּ֥ל מֵהֶ֖ם אֶל תּוֹכ֑וֹ כֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁ֧ר בְּתוֹכ֛וֹ יִטְמָ֖א וְאֹת֥וֹ תִשְׁבֹּֽרוּ

And any earthenware vessel into which one of them falls — whatever is inside it shall be unclean, and you shall break it.

The exceptional case: earthenware cannot be purified, only destroyedוְ
Unlike v. 32's washable materials, porous clay absorbs the carcass's impurity irreversibly; the required remedy is total destruction of the vessel, the chapter's single most vivid and often-cited ruling.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְכָלand anyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted topicכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; singles out earthenware for a distinct rule from the water/wood/cloth/hide/sackcloth vessels of v. 32.
כְּלִיvessel ofN m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Construct chain (genitival head)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel'.
חֶ֔רֶשׂearthenwareN m sg abs · חֶרֶשׂ (H2789)Genitive of the construct chainחֶרֶשׂ (H2789) 'earthenware, potsherd'; porous clay vessels absorb impurity in a way glazed or hard-surfaced vessels do not — the rationale behind the more drastic remedy that follows.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
יִפֹּ֥לit fallsQal impf 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb of the relative/protasis clause→ Yiqtol: hypothetical/conditional eventנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'.
מֵהֶ֖םfrom themprep מִן + 3mp suffixPartitive prepositional phraseמִן + 3mp suffix, 'from them (the eight creatures)'.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, into'.
תּוֹכ֑וֹits interiorN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Object of the preposition אֶלתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, interior'; the creature falls specifically inside the vessel, not merely touching its outer surface.
כֹּ֣לeverythingN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Casus pendens / fronted subject (resumed by יִטְמָא below)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; refers to the vessel's contents.
אֲשֶׁ֧רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
בְּתוֹכ֛וֹin its interiorprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, interior'; whatever is inside the vessel — food, liquid, anything stored there — is likewise defiled.
יִטְמָ֖אit shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'.
וְאֹת֥וֹand itconj וְ + obj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted for emphasis)אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffix, fronted, marking the vessel itself (not merely its contents) as object of the required breaking.
תִשְׁבֹּֽרוּyou shall breakQal impf 2mp · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb (main clause, required action)→ Yiqtol as imperatival: mandated destruction, the only such remedy in the chapterשָׁבַר (H7665) 'to break, shatter'; a porous clay vessel that has absorbed a carcass cannot be cleansed by washing (contrast v. 32) — it must be destroyed. This is the chapter's most concrete, memorable ruling and became a touchstone in later rabbinic discussion of vessel-purity (kelim).
34

מִכָּל הָאֹ֜כֶל אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵאָכֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָב֥וֹא עָלָ֛יו מַ֖יִם יִטְמָ֑א וְכָל מַשְׁקֶה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשָּׁתֶ֔ה בְּכָל כְּלִ֖י יִטְמָֽא

Any food that may be eaten, on which water comes, shall be unclean; and any liquid that may be drunk in any vessel shall be unclean.

Extends impurity to food and drink via moistureasyndeton
Wetness is the operative condition: dry food and drink are not shown susceptible to contamination, but once moistened they can transmit and receive impurity — a principle foundational to later rabbinic purity law (הכשר).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
מִכָּלfrom anyprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; extends the impurity-transmission rule to prepared food and drink.
הָאֹ֜כֶלthe foodart + N m sg abs · אֹכֶל (H400)Genitive of the preposition מִכָּלאֹכֶל (H400) 'food'; from the same root as אָכַל (eat).
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
יֵאָכֵ֗לis eatenNiphal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb of the relative clause (passive)→ Yiqtol passive: characteristic/potential useאָכַל (H398) Niphal 'to be eaten'; defines the food as edible/consumable, distinguishing it from raw, unprocessed produce not yet susceptible to impurity (cf. v. 37-38's seed rule).
אֲשֶׁ֨רupon whichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing a conditional clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
יָב֥וֹאit comesQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the conditional clause→ Yiqtol: hypothetical/conditional eventבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; 'water comes upon it' — the condition that activates the food's susceptibility to impurity.
עָלָ֛יוupon itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, referring to the food.
מַ֖יִםwaterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of יָבוֹאמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; moisture is what activates food's capacity to receive and transmit impurity — a principle elaborated further in rabbinic halakhah (הכשר, hekhsher).
יִטְמָ֑אit shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'; wetted food inside a defiled vessel becomes unclean itself.
וְכָלand anyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted topicכֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
מַשְׁקֶה֙drinkN m sg abs · מַשְׁקֶה (H4945)Genitive of the construct chainמַשְׁקֶה (H4945) 'drink, beverage', from שׁקה 'to give drink'; parallels אֹכֶל, extending the rule to liquids.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
יִשָּׁתֶ֔הis drunkNiphal impf 3ms · שָׁתָה (H8354)Predicate verb of the relative clause (passive)→ Yiqtol passive: characteristic/potential useשָׁתָה (H8354) Niphal 'to be drunk'; defines any liquid meant for consumption.
בְּכָלin anyprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; scopes the rule to any container.
כְּלִ֖יvesselN m sg abs · כְּלִי (H3627)Object of the preposition בְּכָלכְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel'; whatever vessel holds the liquid.
יִטְמָֽאit shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'; closes the food/drink contamination rule (v. 34) before the vessel-summary of v. 35.
35

וְ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁר יִפֹּ֨ל מִנִּבְלָתָ֥ם עָלָיו֮ יִטְמָא֒ תַּנּ֧וּר וְכִירַ֛יִם יֻתָּ֖ץ טְמֵאִ֣ים הֵ֑ם וּטְמֵאִ֖ים יִהְי֥וּ לָכֶֽם

And anything on which their carcass falls shall be unclean; whether oven or stove, it shall be torn down — they are unclean, and unclean they shall remain to you.

Extends the destruction-remedy to fixed cooking installationsוְ
Ovens and stoves join earthenware vessels (v. 33) as objects that cannot be purified, only destroyed, both being fixed, porous clay structures. The doubled statement of uncleanness leaves no room for a purification procedure.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְ֠כֹלand everythingconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Casus pendens / fronted subject (resumed by יִטְמָא below)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; extends the rule to fixed installations — ovens and stoves — not merely portable vessels.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
יִפֹּ֨לit fallsQal impf 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb of the relative/protasis clause→ Yiqtol: hypothetical/conditional eventנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'.
מִנִּבְלָתָ֥םfrom their carcassprep מִן + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Partitive prepositional phraseנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'.
עָלָיו֮upon itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)עַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, referring to the oven or stove.
יִטְמָא֒it shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'.
תַּנּ֧וּרan ovenN m sg abs · תַּנּוּר (H8574)Casus pendens / fronted subject specifying the installationתַּנּוּר (H8574) 'oven', typically a clay firing-structure for baking bread; being fixed and porous like earthenware (v. 33), it cannot be scrubbed clean and must be demolished.
וְכִירַ֛יִםand stoveconj וְ + N m dual abs · כִּיר (H3600)Coordinate fronted subjectכִּיר (H3600) 'stove, cooking-range' (dual, likely 'double stove' or twin fire-holes); paired with תַּנּוּר as the two standard fixed cooking installations of an ancient household.
יֻתָּ֖ץit shall be torn downHophal impf 3ms · נָתַץ (H5422)Predicate verb (main clause, passive, required action)→ Yiqtol passive as imperatival: mandated destructionנָתַץ (H5422) Hophal 'to be torn down, demolished'; the required remedy for a contaminated oven, parallel to breaking the earthenware vessel of v. 33.
טְמֵאִ֣יםuncleanadj m pl abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; restates the classification of oven and stove together.
הֵ֑םthey (are)pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the verbless clauseהֵם (H1992), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
וּטְמֵאִ֖יםand uncleanconj וְ + adj m pl abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective (resumptive, emphatic repetition)טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; the repetition (טְמֵאִים הֵם וּטְמֵאִים יִהְיוּ) underscores the finality of this ruling — no purification procedure is offered, only destruction.
יִהְי֥וּthey shall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative statusהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, remain'; the future-oriented verb underscores that no remedy restores these installations — they simply remain unclean (hence must be destroyed, not purified).
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
36

אַ֣ךְ מַעְיָ֥ן וּב֛וֹר מִקְוֵה מַ֖יִם יִהְיֶ֣ה טָה֑וֹר וְנֹגֵ֥עַ בְּנִבְלָתָ֖ם יִטְמָֽא

Nevertheless a spring or a cistern, a gathering of water, shall remain clean; but whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean.

States the exception for natural water sourcesאַךְ
Large, flowing or standing natural water bodies are exempt from the vessel-contamination rules, but the exemption covers the water itself, not direct contact with a floating carcass, which still defiles the person who touches it.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אַ֣ךְhowever, butadv · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive adverb (fronted, marking exception)אַךְ (H389) 'only, but'; introduces a genuine exception to the vessel-contamination rules — natural water sources are exempt.
מַעְיָ֥ןa springN m sg abs · מַעְיָן (H4599)Subject of the verbless/nominal clauseמַעְיָן (H4599) 'spring', from עַיִן 'eye' (a source welling up); a natural, flowing, self-renewing water source.
וּב֛וֹרand a cisternconj וְ + N m sg abs · בּוֹר (H953)Coordinate subjectבּוֹר (H953) 'pit, cistern'; a dug or hewn water-collection installation, paired with the natural spring.
מִקְוֵהa gathering ofN m sg constr · מִקְוֶה (H4723)Construct chain (genitival head), in apposition explaining בּוֹרמִקְוֶה (H4723) 'a collection, gathering (of water)', from קוה 'to collect, wait'; clarifies that the cistern is defined by its function as a water reservoir.
מַ֖יִםwaterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Genitive of the construct chainמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; completes 'a gathering of water'.
יִהְיֶ֣הit shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative status — a standing exceptionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, remain'; states the ongoing purity of these water sources despite a carcass falling in.
טָה֑וֹרcleanadj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjective completing יִהְיֶהטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; the opposite of טָמֵא — the chapter's other key ritual-status term. Natural water sources, presumably because they are large, flowing, and self-purifying, are exempted from the vessel-contamination rules of vv. 32-35.
וְנֹגֵ֥עַbut the one touchingconj וְ + Qal ptc m sg abs · נָגַע (H5060)Substantival participle (adversative-coordinated fronted subject)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch'; though the spring itself stays clean, a person who reaches in and touches the carcass directly still becomes unclean — the exemption covers the water body, not direct contact with the dead creature.
בְּנִבְלָתָ֖םtheir carcassprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Object of the participle וְנֹגֵעַנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'.
יִטְמָֽאhe shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'; closes the springs-exception verse.
37

וְכִ֤י יִפֹּל֙ מִנִּבְלָתָ֔ם עַל כָּל זֶ֥רַע זֵר֖וּעַ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִזָּרֵ֑עַ טָה֖וֹר הֽוּא

And if part of their carcass falls on any sowing-seed that is to be sown, it remains clean.

States the exception for dry seedוְ
Since a carcass's impurity requires moisture to transmit (as in v. 34), dry seed intended for planting is unaffected by mere contact — a further application of the wetness principle.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְכִ֤יand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisכִּי (H3588) 'if, when'; introduces a second exception case, for seed.
יִפֹּל֙it fallsQal impf 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb of the conditional clause→ Yiqtol: hypothetical/conditional eventנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'.
מִנִּבְלָתָ֔םfrom their carcassprep מִן + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Partitive prepositional phraseנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)עַל (H5921) 'upon'.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'.
זֶ֥רַעseedN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Genitive of the construct chainזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed'; genitive completing כָּל זֶרַע, 'any seed'.
זֵר֖וּעַfor sowingN m sg abs · זֵרוּעַ (H2221)Appositional/attributive noun specifying זֶרַעזֵרוּעַ (H2221), a rare noun cognate to זֶרַע and זָרַע 'to sow'; distinguishes seed intended for planting from harvested grain intended as food.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
יִזָּרֵ֑עַis sownNiphal impf 3ms · זָרַע (H2232)Predicate verb of the relative clause (passive)→ Yiqtol passive: characteristic/potential useזָרַע (H2232) Niphal 'to be sown'; the seed's dry, unprocessed state (destined for the ground, not the table) exempts it from the food-contamination rule of v. 34, which requires moisture.
טָה֖וֹרcleanadj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; dry seed does not contract impurity merely from a carcass falling on it.
הֽוּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clauseהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
38

וְכִ֤י יֻתַּן מַ֨יִם֙ עַל זֶ֔רַע וְנָפַ֥ל מִנִּבְלָתָ֖ם עָלָ֑יו טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא לָכֶֽם

But if water is put on the seed, and part of their carcass falls on it, it is unclean to you.

Reverses the seed exception once moisture is addedוְ
This verse completes the logical pair with v. 37: once seed has been deliberately wetted (e.g., for soaking before planting), it becomes as susceptible to defilement as any other moist substance, closing the moisture-based reasoning of vv. 34-38.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְכִ֤יbut ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasis (contrastive with v. 37)כִּי (H3588) 'if, when'; introduces the qualifying counter-case that reverses v. 37's exemption.
יֻתַּןit is putHophal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the conditional clause (passive)→ Yiqtol passive: hypothetical/conditional eventנָתַן (H5414) Hophal 'to be given, put'; 'if water is put upon seed' — deliberate wetting (e.g. for soaking prior to sowing), unlike the dry state assumed in v. 37.
מַ֨יִם֙waterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of the passive verb יֻתַּןמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; as in v. 34, moisture is the activating condition for contracting impurity.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
זֶ֔רַעseedN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Object of the preposition עַלזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed'.
וְנָפַ֥לand it fallsconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the protasis)→ Weqatal: continuing hypothetical sequenceנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; the second condition — a carcass falling on the now-wetted seed.
מִנִּבְלָתָ֖םfrom their carcassprep מִן + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Partitive prepositional phraseנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'.
עָלָ֑יוupon itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)עַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, referring to the seed.
טָמֵ֥אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; the wetted seed, unlike the dry seed of v. 37, does become defiled — moisture is the decisive variable in both vessel-food and seed cases alike.
ה֖וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clauseהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'; closes the vessel/food/seed contamination section (vv. 29-38).
39

וְכִ֤י יָמוּת֙ מִן הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר הִ֥יא לָכֶ֖ם לְאָכְלָ֑ה הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בְּנִבְלָתָ֖הּ יִטְמָ֥א עַד הָעָֽרֶב

And if any animal that is permitted to you for food dies of itself, whoever touches its carcass shall be unclean until evening.

Opens the natural-death rule for clean animalsוְ
This case is distinct from the preceding unclean-creature rulings: even a permitted animal's meat becomes defiling if the animal died without proper slaughter, since its blood was never drained (cf. 17:15).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְכִ֤יand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisכִּי (H3588) 'if, when'; introduces a new case — the natural death of a permitted (clean) animal, distinct from the unclean creatures of vv. 24-38.
יָמוּת֙it diesQal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the conditional clause→ Yiqtol: hypothetical/conditional eventמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; a natural, unslaughtered death — the carcass of even a permitted animal defiles if it died this way, since its blood was never properly drained (cf. 17:15).
מִןfrom, ofprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; partitive, 'of the animals'.
הַבְּהֵמָ֔הthe animalsart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of the preposition מִןבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, animal'; see v. 2.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
הִ֥יאit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject of the relative clauseהִיא (H1931), fem. independent pronoun, resumptive subject.
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, 'for you'.
לְאָכְלָ֑הfor foodprep לְ + N f sg abs · אָכְלָה (H402)Adverbial prepositional phrase of purpose, completing the relative clauseאָכְלָה (H402) 'food, eating'; specifies the animal in question is a permitted (clean) one, 'which is for you for food' — i.e. from the categories declared clean in vv. 3, 9, etc.
הַנֹּגֵ֥עַthe one touchingart + Qal ptc m sg abs · נָגַע (H5060)Substantival participle (fronted subject)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch'.
בְּנִבְלָתָ֖הּits carcassprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3fs suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Object of the participle הַנֹּגֵעַנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'; here of a clean animal that died of itself, rather than an unclean creature.
יִטְמָ֥אhe shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: resulting/durative stateטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'; even a clean animal's carcass defiles if it died without proper slaughter.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration limit)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
הָעָֽרֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'.
40

וְהָֽאֹכֵל֙ מִנִּבְלָתָ֔הּ יְכַבֵּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָמֵ֣א עַד הָעָ֑רֶב וְהַנֹּשֵׂא֙ אֶת נִבְלָתָ֔הּ יְכַבֵּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָמֵ֥א עַד הָעָֽרֶב

And whoever eats of its carcass shall wash his garments and be unclean until evening; and whoever carries its carcass shall wash his garments and be unclean until evening.

Applies the graduated eating/carrying rule to the self-died clean animalוְ
The verse implies the meat of a self-died animal may still be eaten (unlike the flesh of unclean creatures), but doing so — or carrying the carcass — conveys impurity requiring laundering, paralleling the pattern of vv. 25, 28.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהָֽאֹכֵל֙and the one eatingconj וְ + art + Qal ptc m sg abs · אָכַל (H398)Substantival participle (fronted subject)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the meat of a self-died clean animal may apparently still be eaten by a non-priest (contrast 17:15, 22:8, which forbid it to priests), but doing so conveys impurity requiring laundering.
מִנִּבְלָתָ֔הּfrom its carcassprep מִן + N f sg constr + 3fs suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Partitive prepositional phrase (object of the participle)נְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'.
יְכַבֵּ֥סhe shall washPiel impf 3ms · כִּבֵּס (H3526)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: required remedial actionכִּבֵּס (H3526) Piel 'to launder'; see v. 25.
בְּגָדָ֖יוhis garmentsN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object of יְכַבֵּסבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'.
וְטָמֵ֣אand he shall be uncleanconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: continuing consequenceטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration limit)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
הָעָ֑רֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'.
וְהַנֹּשֵׂא֙and the one carryingconj וְ + art + Qal ptc m sg abs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Substantival participle (fronted subject)→ Participle: the person performing the act, genericנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; the stronger act of moving the carcass, alongside merely eating it.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking נִבְלָתָהּ as object.
נִבְלָתָ֔הּits carcassN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Direct object of הַנֹּשֵׂאנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'carcass'.
יְכַבֵּ֥סhe shall washPiel impf 3ms · כִּבֵּס (H3526)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: required remedial actionכִּבֵּס (H3526) Piel 'to launder'.
בְּגָדָ֖יוhis garmentsN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object of יְכַבֵּסבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'.
וְטָמֵ֥אand he shall be uncleanconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: continuing consequenceטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration limit)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
הָעָֽרֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; closes the natural-death section (vv. 39-40) before the final swarming-creature summary (vv. 41-43).
41

וְכָל הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץ עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ שֶׁ֥קֶץ ה֖וּא לֹ֥א יֵאָכֵֽל

And every swarming creature that swarms on the earth is a detestable thing; it shall not be eaten.

Opens the closing summary on land-swarming creaturesוְ
This verse returns to and generalizes the swarming-creature theme of vv. 29-31 with the strongest term, שֶׁקֶץ, before the threefold locomotion taxonomy of v. 42.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head), fronted subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; opens the closing summary on land-swarming creatures (vv. 41-43).
הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץthe swarming thingart + N m sg abs · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Genitive of the construct chainשֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'.
הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץthat swarmsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · שָׁרַץ (H8317)Attributive participle modifying הַשֶּׁרֶץ→ Participle: characteristic propertyשָׁרַץ (H8317) 'to swarm, teem'.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'.
שֶׁ֥קֶץa detestable thingN m sg abs · שֶׁקֶץ (H8263)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseשֶׁקֶץ (H8263) 'detestable thing'; the general ruling on all land-swarming creatures as food.
ה֖וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clause, resuming כָל הַשֶּׁרֶץהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
יֵאָכֵֽלit shall be eatenNiphal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, passive prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated, passive: standing prohibitionאָכַל (H398) Niphal 'to be eaten'; as in v. 13, the passive shifts focus onto the forbidden creature rather than the human agent.
42

כֹּל֩ הוֹלֵ֨ךְ עַל גָּח֜ וְכֹ֣ל הוֹלֵ֣ךְ עַל אַרְבַּ֗ע עַ֚ד כָּל מַרְבֵּ֣ה רַגְלַ֔יִם לְכָל הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץ עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ לֹ֥א תֹאכְל֖וּם כִּי שֶׁ֥קֶץ הֵֽם

Everything that goes on its belly, and everything that goes on four legs, or that has many legs, among all the swarming creatures that swarm on the earth — you shall not eat them, for they are a detestable thing.

Threefold locomotion taxonomy closing the swarming-creature lawsasyndeton
The threefold classification (legless, quadruped, many-legged) is exhaustive by design, catching every land-swarming creature not already addressed — a comprehensive negative statement closing the chapter's positive-and-negative lists.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
כֹּל֩everythingN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Casus pendens / fronted subject (resumed by תֹאכְלוּם below)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; introduces a threefold locomotion taxonomy (legless, quadruped, many-legged) covering every remaining swarming creature.
הוֹלֵ֨ךְwalkingQal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive participle modifying כֹּל (first sub-class)→ Participle: characteristic propertyהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; here of legless locomotion (on the belly).
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; idiomatic, 'on its belly'.
גָּח֜bellyN m sg abs · גָּחוֹן (H1512)Object of the preposition עַלגָּחוֹן (H1512) 'belly', a hapax legomenon here (elsewhere only Gen 3:14, of the serpent's curse); covers snakes and legless crawlers generally.
וְכֹ֣לand everythingconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate casus pendens (second sub-class)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
הוֹלֵ֣ךְwalkingQal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive participle modifying the second כֹּל→ Participle: characteristic propertyהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk'; here of quadruped land-swarmers.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; idiomatic, 'on four [legs]'.
אַרְבַּ֗עfournumeral f sg abs · אַרְבַּע (H702)Object of the preposition עַלאַרְבַּע (H702) 'four'.
עַ֚דup to, orprep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating prepositional phrase introducing the third sub-classעַד (H5704) 'up to, even', here functioning like a disjunctive 'or' introducing the third category.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
מַרְבֵּ֣הhaving manyHiphil ptc m sg constr · רָבָה (H7235)Attributive participle modifying כֹּל (third sub-class)→ Participle: characteristic propertyרָבָה (H7235) Hiphil 'to multiply, increase'; here 'multiplying legs' = many-legged creatures such as centipedes and millipedes.
רַגְלַ֔יִםlegsN f dual abs · רֶגֶל (H7272)Direct object of מַרְבֵּהרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot, leg'; the dual form used generically for any number beyond a pair.
לְכָלfor everyprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase of reference summarizing the three sub-classesכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'for/regarding every swarming thing' — summarizing the threefold taxonomy just given.
הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץthe swarming thingart + N m sg abs · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Genitive of the preposition לְכָלשֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'.
הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץthat swarmsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · שָׁרַץ (H8317)Attributive participle modifying הַשֶּׁרֶץ→ Participle: characteristic propertyשָׁרַץ (H8317) 'to swarm, teem'.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
תֹאכְל֖וּםyou shall eat themQal impf 2mp + 3mp suffix · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, negated prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: standing prohibitionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat', with pronominal object suffix attached; the verb closes the threefold-taxonomy sentence begun in v. 42's opening כֹּל.
כִּיfor, becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'.
שֶׁ֥קֶץa detestable thingN m sg abs · שֶׁקֶץ (H8263)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseשֶׁקֶץ (H8263) 'detestable thing'; closes the threefold taxonomy with the ruling.
הֵֽםthey (are)pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the verbless clauseהֵם (H1992), independent pronoun, quasi-copula.
43

אַל תְּשַׁקְּצוּ֙ אֶת נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכָל הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵ֑ץ וְלֹ֤א תִֽטַּמְּאוּ֙ בָּהֶ֔ם וְנִטְמֵתֶ֖ם בָּֽם

Do not make yourselves detestable with any swarming creature that swarms, and do not defile yourselves with them, lest you become unclean through them.

Direct exhortation transitioning to the theological groundasyndeton
The jussive אַל (rather than durative לֹא) makes this a direct, urgent appeal rather than a legal ruling — the chapter shifts from casuistic law to hortatory address as it approaches its theological climax in vv. 44-45.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
אַלdo notnegative particle (volitional) · אַל (H408)Negates the following jussive/imperative verbאַל (H408), the negative used with jussive/imperative forms (contrast durative לֹא); marks this as a direct, immediate prohibition addressed to the hearer.
תְּשַׁקְּצוּ֙you shall detestPiel jussive 2mp · שִׁקֵּץ (H8262)Predicate verb (prohibition with אַל)→ Jussive/volitional negated: direct prohibitionשִׁקֵּץ (H8262) Piel 'to regard as detestable'; the chapter's closing exhortation returns to the disposition-verb of vv. 11, 13.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם as object.
נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔םyourselvesN c pl constr + 2cp suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object of תְּשַׁקְּצוּנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, self, life'; here reflexive, 'your very selves' — moving the prohibition from mere dietary abstention to the person's own moral-ritual condition.
בְּכָלby anyprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Instrumental/causal prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץthe swarming thingart + N m sg abs · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Genitive of the preposition בְּכָלשֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'.
הַשֹּׁרֵ֑ץthat swarmsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · שָׁרַץ (H8317)Attributive participle modifying הַשֶּׁרֶץ→ Participle: characteristic propertyשָׁרַץ (H8317) 'to swarm, teem'.
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); coordinated second prohibition, restating the point.
תִֽטַּמְּאוּ֙you shall defile yourselvesHitpael impf 2mp · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (main clause, negated prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated, reflexive: prohibition against self-defiling actionטָמֵא (H2930) Hitpael 'to defile oneself'; the reflexive stem (as in v. 24) makes the point that becoming unclean this way is avoidable, a matter of one's own conduct.
בָּהֶ֔םby themprep בְּ + 3mp suffixInstrumental prepositional phrase completing תִטַּמְּאוּבְּ + 3mp suffix, referring to the swarming creatures.
וְנִטְמֵתֶ֖םand you would become uncleanconj וְ + Niphal perf 2mp (weqatal) · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (weqatal, consequence of the prohibited act)→ Weqatal: resulting consequence — a warning of what would followטָמֵא (H2930) Niphal 'to become unclean'; the passive/resultative stem here (distinct from the Hitpael just used) frames defilement as the outcome that would befall the disobedient — three different stems of the same root (Hitpael, Niphal, and Qal elsewhere) are deployed across this short unit.
בָּֽםby themprep בְּ + 3mp suffixInstrumental prepositional phrase completing וְנִטְמֵתֶםבְּ + 3mp suffix, referring to the swarming creatures; closes v. 43 before the theological ground of vv. 44-45.
44

כִּ֣י אֲנִ֣י יְהוָה֮ אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒ וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם֙ וִהְיִיתֶ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים כִּ֥י קָד֖וֹשׁ אָ֑נִי וְלֹ֤א תְטַמְּאוּ֙ אֶת נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכָל הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הָרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל הָאָֽרֶץ

For I am YHWH your God; and you shall consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that creeps on the earth.

The chapter's theological center: holiness grounded in YHWH's own characterכִּי
כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אָנִי is the most quoted line of the chapter and one of the most quoted in Leviticus, echoed verbatim at 19:2, 20:26, and 21:8 — the dietary code is reframed not as hygiene or convention but as imitatio Dei, holiness modeled on YHWH's own nature.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
כִּ֣יfor, becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the chapter's theological groundכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; opens the famous holiness rationale that grounds the entire dietary law.
אֲנִ֣יIpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589), independent 1cs pronoun; emphatic self-identification opening the divine self-declaration formula (אֲנִי יְהוָה) characteristic of Leviticus's Holiness material.
יְהוָה֮YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative in apposition to אֲנִייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the self-identification formula אֲנִי יְהוָה recurs throughout Leviticus 17-26 as the ground of ethical and ritual demand.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒your GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative continuing the appositionאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; completes the covenant-relationship formula 'I am YHWH your God' underlying the whole holiness ethic.
וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם֙and you shall consecrate yourselvesconj וְ + Hitpael perf 2mp (weqatal) · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Predicate verb (weqatal, imperatival force)→ Weqatal as command: reflexive self-consecration required in response to YHWH's identityקָדַשׁ (H6942) Hitpael 'to consecrate/sanctify oneself'; the reflexive stem makes holiness a task Israel undertakes, not merely a status conferred — the verbal echo of the divine קָדוֹשׁ that follows.
וִהְיִיתֶ֣םand you shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, resulting state)→ Weqatal: resulting condition following the reflexive act of consecrationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the resulting state of the self-consecration just commanded.
קְדֹשִׁ֔יםholyadj m pl abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjective completing וִהְיִיתֶםקָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy, set apart'; plural agreeing with the addressed community — 'you [pl.] shall be holy'.
כִּ֥יfor, becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the chapter's most quoted line, כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אָנִי, echoed at 19:2, 20:26, 21:8.
קָד֖וֹשׁholyadj m sg abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseקָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy'; singular, describing YHWH — the ground and model for Israel's own required holiness. Whether this holiness-ethic is best explained as hygienic rationale, symbolic ordering (Mary Douglas's 'anomaly' thesis), or sanctification through arbitrary divine distinction remains the chapter's central interpretive crux, addressed further in the text_note.
אָ֑נִיI (am)pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589), independent 1cs pronoun, quasi-copula.
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); returns to the concrete prohibition after the theological ground has been stated.
תְטַמְּאוּ֙you shall defilePiel jussive 2mp · טִמֵּא (H2930)Predicate verb (prohibition)→ Jussive/volitional negated: direct prohibitionטִמֵּא (H2930) Piel 'to defile, make unclean'; the causative stem here, distinct from the Hitpael/Niphal of v. 43, closes the ring around the whole exhortation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם as object.
נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔םyourselvesN c pl constr + 2cp suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object of תְטַמְּאוּנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, self'; as in v. 43.
בְּכָלby anyprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Instrumental/causal prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץthe swarming thingart + N m sg abs · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Genitive of the preposition בְּכָלשֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming thing'.
הָרֹמֵ֥שׂthat creepsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · רָמַשׂ (H7430)Attributive participle modifying הַשֶּׁרֶץ→ Participle: characteristic propertyרָמַשׂ (H7430) 'to creep, crawl'; a near-synonym of שָׁרַץ, here varying the vocabulary as the section closes.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; closes the chapter's theological center (vv. 44-45) before the colophon.
45

כִּ֣י אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֗ה הַֽמַּעֲלֶ֤ה אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְיֹ֥ת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים וִהְיִיתֶ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים כִּ֥י קָד֖וֹשׁ אָֽנִי

For I am YHWH, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; and you shall be holy, for I am holy.

Second theological ground: the Exodusכִּי
Where v. 44 grounds holiness in YHWH's own nature, v. 45 grounds it historically in the Exodus — the same verb (עָלָה, 'bring up') used of ruminants bringing up the cud in vv. 3-7 now describes YHWH bringing Israel up from Egypt, a deliberate verbal echo binding the chapter's opening criterion to its theological close.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
כִּ֣יfor, becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing a second, Exodus-based ground for holinessכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; the verse restates and grounds v. 44's demand historically rather than only ontologically.
אֲנִ֣יIpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589), independent 1cs pronoun; repeats the self-declaration of v. 44.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative in apposition to אֲנִייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
הַֽמַּעֲלֶ֤הthe one who brought upart + Hiphil ptc m sg abs · עָלָה (H5927)Substantival/attributive participle in apposition to יְהוָה→ Participle: identifying, historically-grounded epithetעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up'; the same verb used of animals 'bringing up' the cud (vv. 3-7) now describes YHWH bringing Israel up from Egypt — the exodus, not merely creation, is invoked as the ground of the holiness command.
אֶתְכֶם֙youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of הַמַּעֲלֶה)אֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix, marking the addressed community as the object of YHWH's exodus act.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, 'from the land of Egypt' — the exodus formula.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of the construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714), the land of bondage from which YHWH delivered Israel.
לִהְיֹ֥תto beprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Infinitive of purpose→ Infinitive: purpose of the exodusהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; states the covenantal purpose of the exodus — relationship, not merely rescue.
לָכֶ֖םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative of reference completing לִהְיֹתלְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for you'.
לֵאלֹהִ֑יםfor Godprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate complement completing לִהְיֹת לָכֶםאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the covenant formula 'to be your God' — the same relational language as Exod 6:7, now grounding the dietary law.
וִהְיִיתֶ֣םand you shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 2cp (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, imperatival force)→ Weqatal as command: required response to the exodus-relationship just describedהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; repeats v. 44's command, now anchored in the exodus rather than only in divine nature.
קְדֹשִׁ֔יםholyadj m pl abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjective completing וִהְיִיתֶםקָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy'; plural, as in v. 44.
כִּ֥יfor, becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; the refrain כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אָנִי closes both the ontological (v. 44) and historical (v. 45) grounds for holiness.
קָד֖וֹשׁholyadj m sg abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseקָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy'; singular, of YHWH — the refrain's final restatement.
אָֽנִיI (am)pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589), independent 1cs pronoun, quasi-copula; closes the chapter's theological heart (vv. 44-45) before the closing colophon (vv. 46-47).
46

זֹ֣את תּוֹרַ֤ת הַבְּהֵמָה֙ וְהָע֔וֹף וְכֹל֙ נֶ֣פֶשׁ הַֽחַיָּ֔ה הָרֹמֶ֖שֶׂת בַּמָּ֑יִם וּלְכָל נֶ֖פֶשׁ הַשֹּׁרֶ֥צֶת עַל הָאָֽרֶץ

This is the torah of the animal and the bird, and every living creature that creeps in the water, and every living being that swarms on the earth,

Colophon summarizing the whole chapter under four categoriesasyndeton
The fourfold summary (animal, bird, water-creature, land-swarmer) recapitulates the chapter's structure in miniature, matching the summary formula of 7:37-38 for the offering laws — a recurring priestly convention for closing a legal unit.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
זֹ֣אתthisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject of the verbless clause (cataphoric)זֹאת (H2063), fem. demonstrative; opens the closing colophon, echoing the heading formula pattern of Leviticus's ritual manuals (cf. 7:1, 37).
תּוֹרַ֤תthe torah ofN f sg constr · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, direction'; here summarizing the whole chapter as a single procedural/legal unit, as in 7:1, 37.
הַבְּהֵמָה֙the animalart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive of the construct chain (first category)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, animal'; summarizing vv. 2-8, 26-28, 39-40.
וְהָע֔וֹףand the birdconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Coordinate genitive (second category)עוֹף (H5775) 'flying creature, bird'; summarizing vv. 13-23.
וְכֹל֙and everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate construct chain (genitival head, third category)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
נֶ֣פֶשׁthe living being ofN c sg constr · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Construct chain (genitival head)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, living being'.
הַֽחַיָּ֔הthe livingart + adj f sg abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive/genitive completing the construct chainחַי (H2416) 'living'; 'the living creature'.
הָרֹמֶ֖שֶׂתthat creepsart + Qal ptc f sg abs · רָמַשׂ (H7430)Attributive participle modifying נֶפֶשׁ הַחַיָּה→ Participle: characteristic propertyרָמַשׂ (H7430) 'to creep, crawl'; summarizing vv. 9-12's water creatures.
בַּמָּ֑יִםin the waterprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phraseמַיִם (H4325) 'water'.
וּלְכָלand everyconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate prepositional phrase of reference (fourth category)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
נֶ֖פֶשׁliving beingN c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive of the preposition וּלְכָלנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, living being'.
הַשֹּׁרֶ֥צֶתthat swarmsart + Qal ptc f sg abs · שָׁרַץ (H8317)Attributive participle modifying נֶפֶשׁ→ Participle: characteristic propertyשָׁרַץ (H8317) 'to swarm, teem'; summarizing vv. 29-43's land-swarming creatures.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; closes the fourfold summary (animal, bird, water-creature, land-swarmer) of the whole chapter.
47

לְהַבְדִּ֕יל בֵּ֥ין הַטָּמֵ֖א וּבֵ֣ין הַטָּהֹ֑ר וּבֵ֤ין הַֽחַיָּה֙ הַֽנֶּאֱכֶ֔לֶת וּבֵין֙ הַֽחַיָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר לֹ֥א תֵאָכֵֽל

to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.

Final colophon: names the chapter's purpose as an act of discernmentasyndeton
לְהַבְדִּיל ('to distinguish') states in one word what the entire chapter has performed at length; the same verb governs the priests' core task in 10:10 (between holy and common, clean and unclean), tying this dietary law to the larger priestly vocation of discernment.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לְהַבְדִּ֕ילto distinguishprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · בָּדַל (H914)Infinitive of purpose, stating the chapter's overarching aim→ Infinitive: purpose — the chapter's summarizing rationaleבָּדַל (H914) Hiphil 'to divide, separate, distinguish'; names the whole chapter's operation as an act of discernment entrusted to Israel (and especially the priests, cf. v. 1, 10:10) — a key P/Holiness verb for the entire cosmology of clean/unclean, holy/common.
בֵּ֥יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase completing לְהַבְדִּיל (first pair)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; introduces the first contrasted pair.
הַטָּמֵ֖אthe uncleanart + adj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Object of the first בֵּיןטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; substantival, the chapter's key term, recurring some thirty times in this chapter alone.
וּבֵ֣יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinate prepositional phrase (second member of the first pair)בֵּין (H996) 'between'.
הַטָּהֹ֑רthe cleanart + adj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Object of the second בֵּיןטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; substantival, completing the first, most general pair (unclean/clean).
וּבֵ֤יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinate prepositional phrase (opens the second contrasted pair)בֵּין (H996) 'between'.
הַֽחַיָּה֙the living creatureart + N f sg abs · חַיָּה (H2416)Object of the third בֵּין, head of the phrase completed by הַנֶּאֱכֶלֶתחַיָּה (H2416) 'living thing, animal'; introduces the second, more specific pair — edible vs. inedible living creatures, restating the whole chapter's substance in miniature.
הַֽנֶּאֱכֶ֔לֶתthat is eatenart + Niphal ptc f sg abs · אָכַל (H398)Attributive participle modifying הַחַיָּה→ Participle passive: characteristic/potential useאָכַל (H398) Niphal 'to be eaten'; defines the first half of the second pair — the creature that may be eaten.
וּבֵין֙and betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinate prepositional phrase (second member of the second pair)בֵּין (H996) 'between'.
הַֽחַיָּ֔הthe living creatureart + N f sg abs · חַיָּה (H2416)Object of the fourth בֵּין, head of the phrase completed by the relative clauseחַיָּה (H2416) 'living thing, animal'.
אֲשֶׁ֖רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard clause negative.
תֵאָכֵֽלit shall be eatenNiphal impf 3fs · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb of the relative clause (passive prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated, passive: standing prohibitionאָכַל (H398) Niphal 'to be eaten'; the chapter's final word, closing the ring begun at v. 2's דַּבְּרוּ...תֹּאכְלוּ — the whole unit is bounded by the verb 'to eat' from its opening command to its final negation.