What Was the Significance of Clean Animals?
The concept of clean and unclean animals is deeply rooted in the Bible and appears long before the Law of Moses. While it becomes fully defined in books like Leviticus and Deuteronomy, the distinction is first introduced indirectly in the story of Noah in Genesis 7. Clean animals had symbolic, practical, and theological importance throughout Scripture.
This article explores why clean animals mattered, what they represented, and how they shaped worship and daily life in biblical times.
1. Introduction to Clean Animals in the Bible
Although the Bible never gives a single, explicit reason for why certain animals are “clean,” it consistently portrays clean animals as those:
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Suitable for sacrifice
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Suitable for food (later defined under the Mosaic Law)
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Symbolic of purity, order, and obedience
The category of “clean” was understood even in early Genesis, showing that God had already revealed this knowledge to humanity long before the law was established at Sinai.
2. Clean Animals Before the Law of Moses
A. In Noah’s Time
The earliest biblical appearance of the distinction is in:
Genesis 7:2–3
Noah is instructed to take seven pairs of every clean animal but only one pair of unclean animals.
This distinction must have already been known to Noah, even though specific laws were not formally given. Its significance becomes clear when we look at what happened after the flood.
B. Clean Animals Used for Sacrifice
After leaving the ark, Noah offered a burnt offering:
Genesis 8:20
He offered “of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl.”
Because only clean animals were acceptable in worship, God required more of them to ensure sacrifices could be made without endangering the species.
This teaches an important truth:
✔ Clean animals were essential for worship and devotion to God.
3. Clean Animals Under the Mosaic Law
The concept becomes deeply developed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, which carefully define:
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Which animals are allowed to be eaten
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Which animals are clean or unclean
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How they may be prepared
Key Characteristics of Clean Animals:
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They had split hooves and chewed the cud (e.g., sheep, goats, cattle)
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Birds that were peaceful and not predators (e.g., doves)
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Certain fish with fins and scales
The requirements were not random but connected to:
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Symbolic purity
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Health considerations
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Cultural separation from pagan nations
4. The Spiritual Significance of Clean Animals
Clean animals held deep symbolic meanings:
A. Symbol of Purity and Moral Order
Clean animals represented:
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Life
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Holiness
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Separateness from corruption
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Submission to God’s commands
Their peaceful nature and tame characteristics contrasted with the wildness and predatory behavior of unclean animals, which often symbolized danger or impurity.
B. Suitable for Sacrifice
Only clean animals could be offered at the altar. These included:
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Lambs
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Goats
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Cows
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Doves
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Pigeons
This made clean animals essential in expressing:
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Worship
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Thanksgiving
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Repentance
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Atonement
God accepted only what was pure and unblemished—a key theme pointing forward to Christ, “a Lamb without blemish.”
C. Reinforcement of Covenant Identity
The dietary laws reminded Israel daily that they were:
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Set apart from other nations
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Called to holiness
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Devoted to God in all aspects of life
Their meals became a form of obedience, teaching that holiness touches even ordinary routines.
5. The Practical Significance of Clean Animals
Beyond symbolism, there were practical reasons clean animals were valuable.
A. Health and Hygiene
Many unclean animals:
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Carried diseases
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Ate carrion
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Lived in unsanitary conditions
Clean animals were generally safer for consumption and livestock management.
B. Agriculture and Economy
Clean animals were central to ancient life:
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Sheep provided wool
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Cows provided milk and labor
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Goats provided meat and skins
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Oxen worked the fields
Thus, clean animals supported the economy and stability of Israelite society.
C. Sustaining Worship
Since clean animals were required for offerings, the agricultural system depended on their availability.
6. Clean Animals as Types and Shadows of Christ
Christian theology views clean animals—especially the lamb—as prophetic symbols of Jesus Christ:
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Innocent
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Pure
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Sacrificial
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Submissive
The repeated use of clean animals in offerings prepared Israel to understand the meaning of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
7. Clean Animals in the New Testament Era
With Christ’s coming, the ceremonial law was fulfilled:
Acts 10:15
“What God has cleansed, do not call unclean.”
The distinction between clean and unclean no longer applies for food or ritual, but the spiritual lesson remains:
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God desires purity of heart
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Believers are called to live set-apart lives
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Holiness involves obedience and discernment
While the ceremonial law has ended, its underlying principles continue to teach timeless truths.
Conclusion
The significance of clean animals in the Bible is both rich and multifaceted. They were essential to:
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Worship
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Covenant identity
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Daily living
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Symbolic teachings of purity and holiness
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The foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice
From Noah’s altar after the flood to the detailed laws of Moses, clean animals served as powerful reminders that God’s people are called to walk in obedience, purity, and reverence. Even today, their symbolism continues to shape our understanding of holiness and devotion to God.