Does the Bible Say Not to Eat Meat?

No, the Bible does not universally forbid eating meat. Instead, it provides specific guidelines on which animals are permissible to eat and which are not, particularly within the Old Testament.

Biblical Dietary Laws

In the Bible, divine instructions regarding diet are detailed, especially in the Old Testament books. These guidelines distinguish between animals that are considered "clean" and suitable for consumption and those deemed "unclean" and forbidden. This means that while some types of meat are prohibited, many others are permitted.

Distinguishing Clean and Unclean Animals

One of the most prominent passages outlining dietary laws is found in Leviticus 11. Here, the criteria for permissible meat are clearly set out:

• Permissible Animals: You may eat any animal that possesses both a divided hoof and chews the cud.
• Forbidden Animals: Animals that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof are expressly forbidden for consumption.

This distinction highlights that the Bible establishes regulations on what kind of meat can be eaten, rather than imposing a blanket ban on meat consumption altogether.

Criteria for Consumption

To further clarify, here's a breakdown of the animal characteristics mentioned in these dietary laws:

These specific instructions demonstrate that the consumption of certain types of meat is allowed under biblical law.