Unclean under the Mosaic law

Pork

Forbidden to Israel by the criterion of the law. Whether that forbidding binds Christians is debated.

Biblical command← Food Guide

Where it appears in Scripture

Leviticus 11:7-8 and Deuteronomy 14:8 both exclude the swine.

What Scripture says

The swine divides the hoof but does not chew the cud, so it fails the stated criterion.
Israel was told not to eat its flesh.

What Scripture does NOT say

Scripture grounds the command in its stated criterion and Israel's call to holiness; parasites, trichinosis and climate are later explanations, not reasons revealed in the passage.
Claims that pork causes particular diseases must be weighed as present-day health claims rather than given biblical authority.
Scripture does not settle in one sentence whether the restriction continues for Gentile believers.

New Testament context

Christians read Mark 7, Acts 10, Romans 14 and Colossians 2 differently. Many hold the food laws were fulfilled in Christ; others hold the distinction stands. Both groups read the same verses.

Common misconceptions

"God banned pork because of parasites." That explanation is not in the text; it is a guess.
"Eating pork makes a Christian unfaithful." Romans 14 forbids judging a brother over food.

“And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.”

Leviticus 11:7-8

In context: Scripture gives the criterion—cud-chewing and a cloven hoof—and directs Israel toward holiness and belonging to God. Medical explanations go beyond what this passage reveals and should be identified as interpretation.

“These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.”

Leviticus 11:2-3

In context: The dietary law given to Israel at Sinai. Its stated purpose in the chapter is holiness and distinction, not a modern nutrition plan.

“There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.”

Mark 7:15

In context: The dispute in the chapter is about ritual hand-washing traditions. How far this statement extends to the Levitical food laws is debated among Christians.

“And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”

Acts 10:15

In context: Peter himself interprets the vision in verse 28 as being about people, not only about animals. Both readings are discussed among Christians.

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

Colossians 2:16-17

In context: One of the central passages in the Christian discussion of dietary rules. Interpretations differ.

“For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.”

Romans 14:2-3

In context: Paul's instruction is about not despising or judging a brother over food.