what we should not eat
What does the Bible say about what we should not eat? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
13 passages · most helpful first
1And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 2Say to the sons of Israel: These are the animals that you ought to eat out of all the living things of the earth. 3All that has a divided hoof, and that chews over again, among the cattle, you shall eat. 4But whatever certainly chews over again, but has a hoof that is not divided, such as the camel and others, these you shall not eat, and you shall consider them to be among what is unclean. 5The rock rabbit which chews over again, and whose hoof is not divided, is unclean, 6and so also is the hare, for it too chews over again, yet its hoof is not divided,
7and also the swine, which, though its hoof is divided, does not chew over again.
3And everything that moves and lives will be food for you. Just as with the edible plants, I have delivered them all to you,
1But accept those who are weak in faith, without disputing about ideas. 2For one person believes that he may eat all things, but if another is weak, let him eat plants. 3He who eats should not despise him who does not eat. And he who does not eat should not judge him who eats. For God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge the servant of another? He stands or falls by his own Lord. But he shall stand. For God is able to make him stand. 5For one person discerns one age from the next. But another discerns unto every age. Let each one increase according to his own mind. 6He who understands the age, understands for the Lord. And he who eats, eats for the Lord; for he gives thanks to God. And he who does not eat, does not eat for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God.
1Now the Spirit has clearly said that, in the end times, some persons will depart from the faith, paying attention to spirits of error and the doctrines of devils, 2speaking lies in hypocrisy, and having their consciences seared, 3prohibiting marriage, abstaining from foods, which God has created to be accepted with thanksgiving by the faithful and by those who have understood the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected which is received with thanksgiving; 5for it has been sanctified by the Word of God and by prayer.
29And God said: “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant upon the earth, and all the trees that have in themselves the ability to sow their own kind, to be food for you,
28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose no further burden upon you, other than these necessary things: 29that you abstain from things immolated to idols, and from blood, and from what has been suffocated, and from fornication. You will do well to keep yourselves from these things. Farewell.”
1And so, I beg you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, with the subservience of your mind. 2And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect.
1“Be sons of the Lord your God. You shall not cut yourselves, nor make yourselves bald, because of the dead. 2For you are a holy people, for the Lord your God. And he chose you, so that you may be a people particularly his, out of all the nations on earth. 3You shall not eat the things that are unclean. 4These are the animals which you ought to eat: the ox, and the sheep, and the goat, 5the stag and the roe deer, the gazelle, the wild goat, the addax, the antelope, the giraffe. 6Every beast which has a hoof divided into two parts and which also chews the cud, you shall eat.
1And when the days of Pentecost were completed, they were all together in the same place. 2And suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, like that of a wind approaching violently, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared to them separate tongues, as if of fire, which settled upon each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they began to speak in various languages, just as the Holy Spirit bestowed eloquence to them. 5Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, pious men from every nation that is under heaven. 6And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused in mind, because each one was listening to them speaking in his own language.
2The woman responded to him: “From the fruit of the trees which are in Paradise, we eat. 3Yet truly, from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of Paradise, God has instructed us that we should not eat, and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we may die.” 4Then the serpent said to the woman: “By no means will you die a death. 5For God knows that, on whatever day you will eat from it, your eyes will be opened; and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil.” 6And so the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and beautiful to the eyes, and delightful to consider. And she took from its fruit, and she ate. And she gave to her husband, who ate.
2For one person believes that he may eat all things, but if another is weak, let him eat plants.
21It is good to refrain from eating meat and from drinking wine, and from anything by which your brother is offended, or led astray, or weakened.