1. As a test of obedience, and to teach the Israelites habits of self-denial, and the government of their appetites.

2. To keep them distinct from other nations, and consequently from their idolatrous usages, by throwing hindrances in the way of their social intercourse; for these distinctions were applicable both to persons and things. The Canaanites not only ate the animals prohibited by Moses, which we usually eat, but others also, among which dogs were one. Besides, many of those declared unclean were sacred among the heathen, and sacrificed to their gods.

3. Because those prohibited were innutritive and unwholesome; as the swine, the flesh of which being strong and difficult to digest, affords a very gross aliment, and produces, especially in hot climates, cutaneous, scrophulous, and scorbutic disorders, as the itch, leprosy, etc.

3 Mosebok 7:37
Dette er loven om brennofferet, om matofferet og om syndofferet og om skyldofferet og om innvielsesofferet og om takkofferet,

3 Mosebok 14:54
Dette er loven om alle slags spedalskhet og om skurv

3 Mosebok 15:32
Dette er loven om den som har flod, og om den fra hvem det går sæd, så han blir uren derved,

Esekiel 43:12
Dette er loven om huset: På toppen av fjellet skal hele dets område rundt omkring være høihellig. Se, dette er loven om huset.