What is Biblically Clean Eating?

Biblically clean eating is eating following Scripture's instructions. Deuteronomy 28:2 says that if we are obedient to these instructions we are blessed! Many people switch to a Biblically clean diet and see improvements in their health. Regardless of if you're trying to get healthier, grow in your faith, or simply honor the Creator with how you live (or all three!), there are blessings to be had in this process. Let's delve into more of the particulars of how you can follow the Creator's instructions for your meals.

Biblically Clean Eating Is:
Eating only the foods that Scripture permits. These include vegetables, greens, herbs, berries, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, honey, eggs, dairy products, and certain meats (beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, venison, and goat, among others), fish, and poultry. Even grasshoppers and locusts if you're so inclined! 

Personally, I want my food choices to reflect all the teachings of Scripture. Not just the dietary commands, but also other ideas like loving our neighbors, treating our bodies as temples for the Holy Spirit, and being good stewards of the land.

What we do NOT eat on a Biblically clean diet:
Pork, rabbit, shellfish, and fish without scales are the main animals we need to watch out for in the modern Western diet. Many other animals are forbidden including alligator, raccoons, horses, tigers, seagulls, bats, owls, and most insects. See Leviticus 11 for the full list, or take a look at this helpful infographic on clean and unclean animals. It's also important to not eat blood, even the blood of clean animals.

Other Restrictions:

Besides specific animals that are unclean, we have a few other instructions in Scripture to look at.

-We are not to cook an animal in the milk of its mother. People interpret this verse in many ways from literally not cooking a specific cut of meat in the milk of that animal's actual mother to not mixing dairy and meat at all. I would encourage you to pray about how the Creator wants you to live out this instruction.

-During the Feast of Matzah each year we are instructed to not eat leaven or even have it in our homes. You can learn more about that here.

-Occasionally in Scripture people took what is called a Nazarite vow, during which they didn't consume wine or other grape products (see Numbers 6 for more information). This is an optional vow though and if you haven't taken it you are free to enjoy grapes and grape products.

A note about GE/GMO plants:

While the Bible permits us to eat plants, it is my opinion that believers should use considerable caution before consuming anything that has been genetically engineered. Common GE/GMO plants are soybeans, canola, corn (not sweet corn, but field corn that gets turned into corn syrup and other processed forms), and sugar beets (not red beets, but beets used to make granulated sugar). These plants have been engineered by scientists, and have differences from the Creator's design that could never happen on their own in nature or through generations of seed selection by farmers. While there is an outcry in the scientific community that questions the safety of these, my question is: does this fit with how Scripture says to eat?

Leviticus 19:19 tells us that seed should not be mixed. The process of making GE/GMO seeds involves splicing the DNA of the plant with DNA of another species (not just other plants, but bacteria, insects, and even fish). To my thinking, that goes directly against what Scripture says. Additionally the amount of greed in this multi-billion dollar industry that robs government support from small farmers, to say nothing of the possible health concerns, makes me work to avoid consuming these products and supporting this industry.

If I eat something with soy, canola, corn, or sugar beets I make sure that it is organic, and not GE/GMO. (GE/GMO ingredients are not allowed in certified organic products.)

What do you eat on a Biblically clean lifestyle?

You have so many choices! Biblically clean eating doesn't have to be ultra health-food where everything is sprouted or fermented. It doesn't have to be traditional Jewish foods. It does not have to be vegan or include weird things you don't like. You don't have to throw out all your family recipes. It can be meat and potatoes. It can be high-carb or high-protein. It can be home cooking and ordering pizza. It doesn't have to be homegrown or homemade. You are free to enjoy dessert and go out for lunch. You can choose healthy options or eat French fries and beef hotdogs. You can make casserole or make curry.

I think ideally we would all eat well enough that we can feel our best and treat our bodies as the Holy Spirit's temple. The process of learning to eat well does not happen all at once. Focus on eating only food permitted by Scripture, and once you have that down pray and see what else the Creator is calling you to in terms of food.

What Biblically clean eating is NOT:

Following Scripture's instructions for eating does not mean that we don't trust the Messiah or that we are trying to 'earn salvation.' I could eat Biblically clean my whole life, but I am still in need of the Savior, just like everyone else.

But Biblically clean eating is a way to honor God by doing what he told us to do. Trusting in him means I don't have to worry about if there's a reason for his instructions. It's about blessing YHWH with my obedience.

Want some recipe ideas?
I have several posts of meal ideas for the Sabbath and Biblical holidays that are linked below. They are all Biblically clean and great for any day of the week!
Biblically Clean Meal Ideas

20 Grill Recipes with No Pork or Shellfish

Sheet Pan Meals that are Biblically Clean

More about eating the Bible's way:
How to Eat Biblically Clean

Did the Messiah "make all foods clean"?
What Scripture Teaches About Peter's Vision
What the Bible Says about Meat and Dairy

Here's Why Believers Should Celebrate the Biblical Holidays

Did you know that no matter what your background is you're called to keep the Biblical set apart times? These aren't just for people in the past or in the future. They aren't just for people who know for a fact their ancestors were the people in the Bible. They are for all of us and each set apart times presents a tremendous opportunity for spiritual growth! With each Biblical holiday that we take part in we learn more about the nature and character of YHWH, and we get to see these parts of Scripture come to life.

Why should we be keeping the feasts?

-We are told to keep these set apart times forever (Exodus 12:14). Do we really need any reasons beyond this? Following Scripture's instructions is in our best interest, whether that necessarily makes sense to us or not. The word tells us to participate in these things, and that should be reason enough - especially when it's something joyful like celebrating a holiday!

-We see the Messiah celebrating these times in Scripture. Many significant events in the Messiah's life happened around the feasts. Yahusha hosted a Passover meal (also known as the last supper), he had much to say at the Feast of Tabernacles, and even expressly told his brothers to go the festival. He rose from the grave on First Fruits, and commanded his disciples to stick around for Shavuot. And he should be our example, right? We are supposed to live like he did, and he celebrated the feasts!

-The New Testament tells us to keep the feasts (1 Corinthians 5:8). Even after the Messiah was ascended into heaven we are told to keep these festivals. By the way, Paul was not just talking to Jewish people here. Corinthians was written to Greek believers, so he didn't just mean for only Jewish people or people living in the land of Israel to celebrate these times. This is a New Testament passage telling us to keep the feasts.

-Scripture tells us not to let anyone judge us for doing this (Colossians 2:16). Why does the Bible mention this if it doesn't expect us to take part in these things? In his all knowing, YHWH knew we would be facing some peer pressure to not keep the feasts. I think that's why in Colossians he reminded us to not let other's opinions make our decisions for us, and to encourage us to take part in these days even when it isn't popular or convenient. We are not to let someone else's opinion change our resolve to keep these special times with our Creator!

-We gain a better understanding of Scripture by participating in these holy times. This is the difference between just reading about something and doing it for yourself. We can share in the experiences of Scripture and better relate to what the Israelites and our Messiah went through. By taking part in the festivals of YHWH we learn more of the Messiah's life, and can grow in prophetic understanding of these times. These times are not pointless or cutesy, they are in Scripture for a reason and we would all benefit to learn more.

-These are times of joy! I don't know anyone who would mind being happier or who wouldn't benefit from a more joyful heart. This is an opportunity for that! Life can be stressful and painful. Schedules can be jam-packed with drudgery. Relationships can be strained or hurtful. Scripture offers us a remedy for those things...and it's participating in the Creator's holy days. Leviticus 23:40 says these are times for rejoicing. If you need more joy in your life here is your opportunity.

The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays

Why I Started Celebrating the Biblical Feasts
Why Biblical Holidays are for All Believers

Sukkot Scavenger Hunt Game (Feast of Tabernacles Kids Activity Idea)

Get excited for an outdoor Bible scavenger hunt - Sukkot edition!

Unlike typical scavenger hunts that just tell you what to go find, kids (or grown ups!) are given clues from Scripture that will lead them to the appropriate item they should collect. The answers to the clues might be something they would know immediately, or they might need to flip open their Bible to find out! 

This scavenger hunt is meant to be done outdoors, at a campground or other place the Feast of Tabernacles is being celebrated. Your backyard works too! There are many different ways this game can be played - solo, as a group, or split into any number of teams. You can set a certain amount of time and see who finds the most items or see how long it takes to find everything. Kids can gather physical items, or you could have them draw pictures of what they find.

Sukkot Scavenger Hunt

You will need:
The list of clues
The list with the answers
Small bag to carry the items (plastic grocery sack or similar sized tote)
A few small jars or baggies to collect certain items

On the answer key I've included some talking points. These are very optional, but this game can be an opportunity for kids to learn more about the meaning of this holiday of the Feast of Tabernacles. You can discuss these as you go around looking for the items, or if you have the kids go on their own you can talk about these things when they return to show you what they collected. Don't feel like you necessarily need to cover every single point either. Feel free to go in a different direction from what I have suggested as well.

These clues could also be reworked into a treasure hunt game! Write out each clue that you want to use separately and then hide the next clue in the appropriate spot. The last clue leads to some sort of prize. Or you could turn it into a trivia game. However you play, I hope you have fun!

Click here to download the scavenger hunt clues for players.

Click here to download the clues with the answers and talking points. 

More ideas for fall feast fun:

Easy Fall Biblical Holiday Crafts for Kids
DIY Happy Sukkot Fall Leaf Garland
Eight Days of Activities for the Feast of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles: What it Means and Why You Should Celebrate It

The Feast of Tabernacles is the seventh and final Biblical holiday given to Believers. It also goes by the name Sukkot, which means something like thicket or temporary shelter. Less often it is called the Feast of Booths or the Festival of the Ingathering, and it is a very special time given to us by the Creator, filled with prophetic and historical significance for his people. 

We are instructed to celebrate Sukkot for eight days. Scripture specifies that this is to be a time of rejoicing and that we are to make temporary dwelling places for ourselves, known as sukkahs or booths. It is a time for gathering with other believers, making offerings to YHWH, and there are two days (in addition to the weekly Sabbath) when we are commanded to do no work. 

Significance of the Feast of Tabernacles:

Prophetically, the time of Sukkot reminds us that one day Yahusha the Messiah will dwell with believers. He will someday 'tabernacle' right here with us. It is amazing to think of the ramifications of living with the Messiah being actually physically present and ruling over us! I can't imagine the difference in the world once it is taken over by whom Scripture refers to as, "the only one worthy," which I think explains why Leviticus 23:40 says that Sukkot is a time of joy. There is so much joy ahead for believers! We especially see cause for rejoicing in the name Festival of Ingathering, when YHWH gathers in his people.

Historically the people of Israel lived in temporary dwellings for their forty-year sojourn in the wilderness while awaiting entry to the Promised Land. There is also evidence that the Messiah was born during this particular feast, which explains why he wasn't born in a house, but outside in a sukkah with animals. We can remember these significant events during this set apart time.

Sukkot serves as a reminder to all of us that this world, our homes, and even our bodies, are but temporary as YHWH has more for us beyond our cultures and lifetime. Since this happens at the time of the autumn harvest of crops, we are reminded both that YHWH provides for our physical needs and nourishment, and also that he will one day gather all believers to himself.

Why you should celebrate Tabernacles:

When we choose to celebrate the set apart time of the Feast of Tabernacles, we are literally doing what Scripture instructs (see Leviticus 23:41). Really just following YHWH's instructions for us should be reason enough, but we also see the Messiah honoring Sukkot and telling others to, and the New Testament tells us to keep the feasts!

By celebrating this special time we are being obedient to the word, we understand more about the Messiah's life, and we can grow in historic and prophetic understanding of Scripture. And if that's still not enough...this is a time of joy! Scripture actually tells us there is joy in this set apart time. Could you use more joy in your life? Then celebrate Tabernacles!

What to do for Tabernacles:

-Decide on your temporary dwelling. Leviticus 23:42 says that we are to dwell in temporary shelters during this time. Scripture does not go into detail on what this shelter is like. Believers do everything from week long camping trips in a traditional tent, RV, or rented cabin to pitching some sort of patio tent in their backyard or on their patio to have their meals in. If you need sukkah inspiration, check out this post.

-Take off the no-work days. While the festival and festivities of Sukkot last for eight days, only on the first and last are we told to rest and not work (in addition to the Sabbath). If you can take the whole time off from work that's great, but if you can't then prioritize having the first and eighth days of Sukkot off. Wondering what a no-work day is? Find out here.

-Give an offering. Though we no longer sacrifice animals, we can give to YHWH in other ways. A financial gift to your congregation or to a ministry teaching Biblical truth would be appropriate during this time. You could also offer up your time and talents volunteering for your congregation or another ministry or cause you believe in. Providing groceries or other assistance to a family in need would be another meaningful option. More ideas on giving here.

-Rejoice! Make this a time of joy for yourself and those in your life. Plan a get together or play games with kids or friends. Reminisce over happy and funny memories or family stories. Make a list of promises found in Scripture. Take a trip, make a special meal, and do what brings joy to you during this season.

More about the Feast of Tabernacles:

Eight Things Scripture Says About the Feast of Tabernacles

Why I Started Celebrating the Biblical Feasts

Things the Messiah Said During Sukkot

Sukkot Scripture Reading

Fresh Perspective on the Biblical Holidays