Good And Bad Foods In The Bible

Most religious leaders assume that Heavenly Father Yahweh’s laws regarding clean and unclean foods ended at Yahshua Messiah’s death on the stake. They suppose that the New Testament of the Bible removes the need for Christians to keep such laws. But is that what the Holy Scripture says? Why did Almighty Yahweh, in the Bible, distinguish between clean and unclean meats—the animals people may or may not eat? Is there more to the story? Can we find a health connection? Are distinctions between clean and unclean meats a matter of health? Did Yahweh reveal them as health guidelines for the ancient Israelites and, by extension, for people today? Can consuming animals classified as unclean truly bring immediate or long-term harm to our health? In today’s message we are going to teach you about the good and bad foods in the Bible. As always, we will let the Holy Spirit help and guide us in teaching you the truth about this very important, yet neglected subject matter in all of the Bible!

When it comes to obeying the clean and unclean food laws of the Bible, many outside the faith will find the practice novel, others peculiar. Still others will cite a passage or two in the New Testament in an effort to say that the true Christians no longer need to concern themselves with that “old Mosaic law” in this age of grace. Is that the truth? Does obeying the Bible’s food law considered a vital part of true worhip? We agree with the Bible and we proclaim that it does! We can see these food laws operating long before they were reiterated to Israel and handed down to Moses on stone tablets at Sinai. We also see clean food laws in operation long before Sinai in Yahweh’s instructions to Noah. Yahweh told Noah that clean animals were to go aboard the ark by sevens, but he was to limit the unclean to only two: “You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female” (Genesis 7:2). Noah obviously had to know the difference because of the clean food laws. The apostle Peter knew the difference as well, as we see in his reaction to his vision in Acts 10 in the New Testament. Yahweh certifies certain foods as acceptable and other foods as unacceptable for our consumption. Yahweh told Adam and Eve which food was right and acceptable and which was not. Obeying Him, we will succeed and prosper. Yahweh and His holy standards never change! The Bible clearly says: “For I Am Yahweh, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). This applies to His food laws mentioned on Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Therefore, the Almighty Yahweh does not change, and so are His laws!

We will now take into account those New Testamant passages that are commonly used in claims that the Old Testament food laws are no longer binding. “For every creature of Yahweh is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4). This doesn’t mean that every creature is acceptable for consumption if received with thanksgiving! “Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths” (Colossians 2:16). This doesn’t mean we are not to judge others on the freedom they now have in Messiah! Also, this doesn’t mean the New Testament believers no longer has to keep the Old testament food laws! “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things, For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for Yahweh has received him” (Romans 14:1-3). This doesn’t mean the apostle Paul shows that those who wish to eat whatever they desire should not be judged by those who choose to follow the clean food laws! ‘And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What Yahweh has cleansed you must not call common” (Acts 10:15). This doesn’t mean Yahweh has cleansed all meats in the New Testament era! “So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him…?” (Mark 7:18). This doesn’t mean that Yahshua was condemning the Scribes and Pharisees for their strict lawkeeping, decreeing that virtually any “food” is harmless and therefore edible! Notice carefully! The Bible clearly tells us: “Yahshua Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Again, the Bible clearly says: “For I Am Yahweh, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). The two last verses you have just read simply and plainly means that the Father in heaven Yahweh, and His Begotten Son and the Savior of this world Yahshua, do not change, and both Their words and holy Laws will always be the same forever and ever!

The following list, based on Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, identifies many of the animals Yahweh designates as clean and unclean. The list below uses their common names. They’re the good and bad foods in Bible.

Here are the animals that are “GOOD” to eat according to the Bible:

• MAMMALS (chew the cud and part the hoof): Antelope, Bison (buffalo), Caribou, Cattle (beef, veal), Deer (venison), Elk, Gazelle, Giraffe, Goat, Hart, Ibex, Moose, Ox, Reindeer, Sheep (lamb, mutton)
• FISH (with fins and scales): Anchovy, Barracuda, Bass, Black pomfret/monchong, Bluefish, Bluegill, Carp, Cod, Crappie, Drum, Flounder, Grouper, Grunt, Haddock, Hake, Halibut, Hardhead, Herring/alewife, Kingfish, Mackerel/cobia, Mahimahi/dorado/dolphinfish, Minnow, Mullet, Perch/bream, Pike/pickerel/jack, Pollack/pollock/boston bluefish, Rockfish, Salmon, Sardine/pilchard, Shad, Silver hake/whiting, Smelt/frost fish/ice fish, Snapper/ebu/jobfish/lehi/onaga/opakapaka/uku, Sole, Steelhead, Sucker, Sunfish, Tarpon, Trout/weakfish, Tuna/ahi/aku/ albacore/bonito/tombo, Turbot, Whitefish
• BIRDS: Chicken, Dove, Duck, Goose, Grouse, Guinea fowl, Partridge, Peafowl, Pheasant, Pigeon, Prairie chicken, Ptarmigan, Quail, Sagehen, Sparrow/songbirds, Swan, Teal, Turkey
• INSECTS: Locusts (crickets, grasshoppers)

Here are the animals that are “BAD” to eat according to the Bible:

• SWINE: Boar, Peccary, Pig/hog/bacon/ham/lard/pork/pork sausage/pepperoni
• BIRDS of PREY (scavengers): Albatross, Bittern, Buzzard, Condor, Coot, Cormorant, Crane, Crow, Cuckoo, Eagle, Flamingo, Grebe, Grosbeak, Gull, Hawk, Herron, Kite, Lapwing, Loon, Magpie, Osprey, Ostrich, Owl, Parrot, Pelican, Penguin, Plover, Rail, Raven, Roadrunner, Sandpiper, Seagull, Stork, Swallow, Swift, Vulture, Water hen, Woodpecker
• MARINE ANIMALS (fish without fins and scales): Bullhead, Catfish, Eel, European turbot, Marlin, Paddlefish, Shark, Stickleback, Squid, Sturgeon/caviar, Swordfish
• SHELLFISH: Abalone, Clam, Conch, Crab, Crayfish/crawfish/crawdad, Lobster, Mussel, Oyster, Scallop, Shrimp/prawn
• MARINE ANIMALS (soft body): Cuttlefish, Jellyfish, Limpet, Octopus, Squid/calamari
• SEA MAMMALS: Dolphin, Otter, Porpoise, Seal, Walrus, Whale
• AMPHIBIANS: Blindworm, Frog, Newt, Salamander, Toad
• REPTILES: Alligator, Caiman, Crocodile, Lizard, Snake, Turtle
• CANINES: Coyote, Dog, Fox, Hyena, Jackal, Wolf
• FELINES: Cat, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Panther, Tiger
• EQUINES: Donkey/ass, Horse, Mule, Onager, Zebra/quagga
• OTHER: Armadillo, Badger, Bat, Bear, Beaver, Camel, Elephant, Gorilla, Groundhog, Hippopotamus, Kangaroo,Llama/alpaca/vicuna, Mole, Monkey, Mouse, Muskrat, Opossum, Porcupine, Rabbit/hare, Raccoon, Rat, Rhinoceros, Skunk, Slug, Snail/escargot, Squirrel, Wallaby, Weasel, Wolverine, Worm, All insects (except some in the locust family)

Again you may be asking yourself, “Why does Yahweh identify some animals as suitable for human consumption and others as unsuitable?” In listing the animals that should not be eaten, Yahweh forbids the consumption of scavengers and carrion eaters, which devour other animals for their food. Animals such as pigs, bears, vultures, and raptors can eat and thrive on decaying flesh. Predatory animals such as wolves, lions, leopards, and cheetahs most often prey on the the weakest, and at times, the diseased in animal herds. When it comes to sea creatures, bottom dwellers such as lobsters and crabs scavenge for dead animals on the sea floor. Shellfish such as oysters, clams and mussels similarly consume decaying organic matter that sinks to the sea floor, including sewage. A common denominator of many of the animals Creator Yahweh designates as unclean is that they routinely eat flesh that would sicken or kill human beings. When we eat such animals we partake of a food chain that includes things harmful to people. Yahweh’s purpose in giving His food law is “that it might be well” with those who seek to obey Him (Deuteronomy 5:29). Yahweh gave all of His laws for good reasons. They teach us His standards—how to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, beneficial from harmful. Yahweh’s Word (the Bible) encompasses all aspects of our lives, including what we eat. Woe to all the preachers who teaches that Almighty Yahweh’s food law no longer apply after Yahshua Messiah’s crucifixion. Have they forgotten Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8?

In addition, the Bible prohibits consumption of both fat and blood (Leviticus 3:17; 7:23, 26-27). The fat of the animal was offered to Yahweh in sacrifice (Leviticus 3:16). It belongs to Him. The life of the animal is found in its blood (Leviticus 17:10-14). Both fat and blood of the sacrifice were treated separately from the meat of the sacrifice and neither were eaten. Thus, it is necessary to remove all blood from the flesh of all biblically clean animals before eating and to avoid eating residual blood. At the time of slaughter, rapid draining of most of the blood must occur. This process is unnecessary with fish, as very little blood remains in the meat of fish. Any remaining blood can be removed by soaking in brine.

In closing, here’s a Bible passage that magnify the food law of Yahweh: “For behold, Yahweh will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword Yahweh will judge all flesh; and the slain of Yahweh shall be many. Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens after an idol in the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, shall be consumed together,” says Yahweh (Isaiah 66:15-17). Here we see, that at Yahshua Messiah’s return, eating unclean things is condemned and those who do so will be punished! Also, the Bible’s book of Revelation, in describing the end-time events leading up to the return of Yahshua Messiah, uses the expression “a haunt for every unclean and hated bird!” (Revelation 18:2). If clean and unclean designations no longer exist, why did Yahshua inspire this picture for apostle John? Yahweh is both love and truth. Again, Yahweh is consistent and unchanging (James 1:17; Malachi 3:6; 4:4; Hebrews 13:8; Matthew 5:17-19). Animals He categorized as unclean thousands of years ago remain unclean in the future! Yahweh designed and gave His laws, including His food law, for our benefit. As the apostle Paul wrote: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but holiness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). The biblical position is clear. Distinctions between clean and unclean meats existed long before the New Testament was written; they were followed by the leaders and members of the early Church or Assembly; and they will still apply at the time of Yahshua Messiah’s return in the future, when He will enforce them. Therefore, they are clearly to be observed today as well by members of the modern Church, which “keeps the commandments of Yahweh and has the testimony of Yahshua Messiah” (Revelation 12:17). We hope the good and bad foods in the Bible that we presented to you today will help to prevent you from getting physical disease and acquiring spiritual infection. We pray that the Holy Spirit convict your heart of this true and faithful message. May Yahweh and Savior Yahshua bless you and keep you. Shalom, Halleluyah!