Is eating pork forbidden in the Bible? I’m hearing conflicting information. Some people cite Leviticus 11 as definitively prohibiting the consumption of pork, while others argue that these Old Testament dietary laws were superseded by the New Testament, perhaps referencing passages about Jesus declaring all foods clean. I’m interested in a comprehensive explanation addressing both Old and New Testament perspectives. What specific passages are cited on both sides of the argument, and what are the common interpretations and counter-interpretations regarding the permissibility of eating pork for Christians and/or people of Jewish faith today?

Answer

The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) contains prohibitions against eating pork. These prohibitions are primarily found in Leviticus 11:7-8 and Deuteronomy 14:8.

Leviticus 11:7-8 states: “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.”

Deuteronomy 14:8 reiterates: “And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.”

These verses classify the pig as an “unclean” animal and explicitly forbid the Israelites from consuming its flesh or even touching its carcass. These dietary laws were part of a larger set of regulations concerning purity and holiness for the people of Israel.

In the New Testament, there are differing views and interpretations regarding these dietary laws. Some passages suggest that the restrictions are no longer binding on Christians, while others imply a continued adherence to at least some aspects of the Old Testament law.

Mark 7:19 (in some translations) quotes Jesus as saying, “…Thus he declared all foods clean.” However, the interpretation of this passage is debated.

Acts 10 describes a vision given to the Apostle Peter, where he is commanded to eat animals that were previously considered unclean. Peter initially objects, citing his adherence to Jewish dietary laws. However, God tells him, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” This vision is interpreted by some as a symbolic representation that God has also cleansed Gentiles and opened salvation to them, rather than a direct revocation of dietary laws. Others interpret it more literally as a removal of the dietary restrictions.

Romans 14 addresses the issue of differing opinions among early Christians regarding what foods are permissible to eat. Paul urges believers not to judge or condemn one another based on their dietary choices.

Ultimately, interpretations of the New Testament regarding the Old Testament dietary laws vary among different Christian denominations and individual believers. Some Christians continue to abstain from pork due to their interpretation of scripture, while others believe that the restrictions have been lifted.