In the Bible, specifically the Old Testament, eating shellfish is mentioned as prohibited. This is part of the dietary laws given to the Israelites. These laws classified shellfish and other certain animals as ‘unclean’. However, in the New Testament, the perspective shifts, reflecting a change in these dietary restrictions.
Curious about why shellfish was off the menu in the Old Testament and how things changed in the New Testament? Keep reading to uncover the deeper meanings and changes regarding this dietary law.
What Does the Bible Say About Eating Shellfish?
The topic of eating shellfish in the Bible is an interesting one that evolves from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Initially, in the Old Testament, shellfish were considered ‘unclean’ and thus not to be consumed. But why? And how did this change over time?
In the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites specific dietary laws. These laws were part of a wider covenant that set the Israelites apart as God’s chosen people. Foods were classified as ‘clean’ or ‘unclean’, and shellfish fell into the ‘unclean’ category. These laws were not just about physical health. They carried symbolic significance, reflecting spiritual principles and a call to holiness.
However, the New Testament brought a shift in perspective. Jesus’ teachings and the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish community led to a reevaluation of these laws. Jesus spoke about inner purity over external observances, indicating a move away from strict dietary rules. This is further evidenced in the Acts of the Apostles, where Peter has a vision that leads him to understand that all foods are clean in God’s eyes.
This change didn’t mean that the Old Testament laws were wrong or irrelevant. Instead, it reflected a new phase in God’s relationship with humanity. The focus shifted from external purity laws to internal spiritual and moral guidance. In the New Testament, the emphasis is on what comes out of a person’s heart rather than what goes into their body.
God’s view on what is ‘clean’ or ‘unclean’ extends beyond food. It’s about the purity of heart and mind, living in a way that honors God and reflects His love
and grace. The dietary laws in the Old Testament were a part of a specific covenant with the Israelites. They served as guidelines and symbols of their unique relationship with God. In the New Testament, the emphasis is on a new kind of purity – one that is not about food but about love, faith, and grace.
This shift in dietary law reflects a broader theme in the Bible: the transition from the Law of Moses to the grace brought by Jesus Christ. It’s a transition from a focus on external rituals to internal spiritual transformation. The teachings of Jesus and the New Testament writers invite believers to focus on the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law.
In summary, while the Old Testament prohibited eating shellfish as part of the dietary laws for the Israelites, the New Testament opens the door to a new understanding. It allows believers to see beyond the literal interpretation of such laws and to embrace a faith that is focused more on spiritual purity and less on dietary restrictions.
Bible Verses About Eating Shellfish
- Leviticus 11:9-12 – These verses list the dietary restrictions regarding sea creatures for the Israelites, explicitly stating that creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales, like shellfish, are to be regarded as unclean.
- Deuteronomy 14:9-10 – This passage reiterates the laws in Leviticus, marking shellfish as unclean for consumption.
- Mark 7:18-19 – Jesus declares all foods clean, indicating a shift from the Old Testament dietary laws. This is a significant moment that symbolizes the transition from Jewish dietary laws to the Christian emphasis on spiritual purity.
- Acts 10:10-15 – Peter has a vision where he’s shown various unclean animals and told to eat them. This vision is interpreted as God showing that the dietary laws of the Old Testament are no longer binding, reflecting the new covenant through Christ.
- Romans 14:14 – Paul writes that no food is unclean in itself, but it becomes unclean if someone considers it unclean. This teaching further emphasizes the New Testament perspective that purity is not about what one eats but about faith and the heart’s condition.
- 1 Corinthians 8:8 – “But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.” Paul is explaining that food choices, including eating shellfish, are not what define a person’s relationship with God.
- Colossians 2:16 – This verse encourages believers not to let anyone judge them by what they eat or drink, indicating freedom from dietary laws and a focus on spiritual matters.
- 1 Timothy 4:3-5 – Paul speaks against those who forbid marriage and require abstinence from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving. This passage is understood as a rejection of the idea that certain foods, like shellfish, are inherently unclean or sinful to eat.
- Matthew 15:11 – Jesus teaches that it’s not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth. This teaching downplays the importance of dietary laws and emphasizes moral and spiritual purity.
- Galatians 2:11-16 – In this passage, Paul confronts Peter for refusing to eat with Gentiles, a conflict that touches on the dietary laws. Paul’s argument that justification comes through faith in Christ, not the law, includes a challenge to the dietary restrictions that separated Jews and Gentiles.
These verses reflect the evolution of the understanding of dietary laws, including the consumption of shellfish, in the Bible. They move from a focus on physical dietary restrictions to a greater emphasis on spiritual and moral purity, aligning with the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament.