The Bible, primarily in the Old Testament books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, classifies most creatures commonly referred to as "bottom feeders"—both aquatic and land-based—as unclean and unsuitable for consumption according to its dietary laws. These dietary regulations, often referred to as kosher laws, distinguish between animals that are considered clean and permissible to eat, and those that are unclean and prohibited.
Aquatic "Bottom Feeders" and Dietary Laws
When it comes to aquatic life, the biblical criteria for clean animals are very specific: they must possess both fins and scales. Any sea creature lacking either of these characteristics is considered unclean and forbidden to eat.
- Clean Aquatic Animals: Fish such as salmon, tuna, cod, and snapper, which have both fins and scales, are permitted.
- Unclean Aquatic Animals: Many common "bottom feeders" fall into this category because they do not have both fins and scales. Examples include:
- Shellfish: This category includes popular bottom-dwelling crustaceans and mollusks like shrimp, crab, lobster, oysters, clams, and mussels. None of these possess fins or scales.
- Certain Fish: Some fish that are known to dwell and feed at the bottom, such as catfish and eels, also lack scales (or sufficient scales) and are therefore considered unclean.
The prohibition against these creatures is rooted in their classification as "detestable" or "abominations" within the biblical text, often interpreted as their role as scavengers or their physical characteristics being contrary to the divinely ordained clean types.
Land-Based "Bottom Feeders" or Creeping Things
The biblical dietary laws also extend to creatures that move about on the ground, many of which could be broadly considered "bottom feeders" due to their habitat and feeding habits. These are explicitly classified as detestable and forbidden for consumption.
The Scriptures state that any creature that moves about on the ground, whether it moves on its belly, walks on all fours, or has many feet, is considered detestable and should not be eaten. Consuming such creatures is explicitly prohibited and considered defiling. This broad category includes:
- Reptiles: Such as snakes, lizards, and chameleons.
- Amphibians: Like frogs and toads.
- Many Insects: Especially those that crawl or have many legs (though some flying insects like certain locusts are permitted).
- Other Creeping Things: Worms and similar ground-dwelling invertebrates.
These animals are generally associated with uncleanliness, often due to their perceived role as scavengers, their method of locomotion, or their general characteristics being deemed contrary to purity laws.
Summary of Biblical Dietary Guidelines
The following table summarizes the general principles for distinguishing between clean and unclean animals according to biblical dietary laws:
| Category | Clean (Permitted) | Unclean (Forbidden) |
|---|---|---|
| Land Animals | Chews the cud AND has a divided hoof (e.g., cows, sheep, deer) | Does NOT chew the cud OR does NOT have a divided hoof (e.g., pigs, camels, rabbits) |
| Creeping Things | Certain winged insects that hop (e.g., specific locusts) | All creatures that move on the ground (e.g., reptiles, insects that crawl) |
| Aquatic Animals | Has fins AND scales (e.g., salmon, cod, tuna) | Lacks fins OR scales (e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster, catfish, eels, sharks) |
| Birds | Non-scavenging birds of prey, non-omnivores | Scavengers, birds of prey, birds that live in darkness (e.g., vultures, owls, eagles) |
The biblical dietary laws clearly define which animals are suitable for consumption. While the term "bottom feeder" is a modern classification, the principles laid out in the Old Testament generally classify both aquatic and land-based creatures that fit this description as unclean. This is primarily based on their physical characteristics (lacking fins and scales for aquatic life) or their mode of movement and habitat (creeping things on the ground). These prohibitions were central to the identity and practices of ancient Israel.
