Leviticus 11:33

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.

Original Language Analysis

וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלִי vessel H3627
כְּלִי vessel
Strong's: H3627
Word #: 2 of 14
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
חֶ֔רֶשׂ And every earthen H2789
חֶ֔רֶשׂ And every earthen
Strong's: H2789
Word #: 3 of 14
a piece of pottery
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִפֹּ֥ל whereinto any of them falleth H5307
יִפֹּ֥ל whereinto any of them falleth
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 5 of 14
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מֵהֶ֖ם H1992
מֵהֶ֖ם
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 6 of 14
they (only used when emphatic)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
תּוֹכ֑וֹ H8432
תּוֹכ֑וֹ
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 8 of 14
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
כֹּ֣ל H3605
כֹּ֣ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֧ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּתוֹכ֛וֹ H8432
בְּתוֹכ֛וֹ
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 11 of 14
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
יִטְמָ֖א whatsoever is in it shall be unclean H2930
יִטְמָ֖א whatsoever is in it shall be unclean
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 12 of 14
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
וְאֹת֥וֹ H853
וְאֹת֥וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 13 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תִשְׁבֹּֽרוּ׃ and ye shall break H7665
תִשְׁבֹּֽרוּ׃ and ye shall break
Strong's: H7665
Word #: 14 of 14
to burst (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.

This verse falls within the section on Clean and Unclean Animals. Dietary laws distinguishing clean from unclean animals, teaching Israel holiness and separation from pagan practices.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

Historical Context

Dietary laws distinguishing clean from unclean animals, teaching Israel holiness and separation from pagan practices. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources