Two Missing Legs:
Did Moses say that insects have only four legs?
Two Missing Legs:
Did Moses say that insects have only four legs?
[Two Missing Legs: Did Moses say that insects have only four legs? by Bodie Hodge]
Leviticus 11:20–23
All flying insects that creep on all fours shall be an abomination to you. Yet
these you may eat of every flying insect that creeps on all fours: those which
have jointed legs above their feet with which to leap on the earth. These you
may eat: the locust after its kind, the destroying locust after its kind, the
cricket after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind. But all other flying
insects which have four feet shall be an abomination to you.
The Bible in Leviticus 11:21 indicates that the hind jumping legs are not
included in the four “walking” or “creeping” feet. The feet are the four front
limbs used for walking and look the same. The back two limbs are primarily for
long hops.
Although today, people lump them all together and say there are six legs, the
Bible distinguished them here. The Bible referred to them in more detail than
perhaps expected. Notice how the feet and legs are separated in the verses and
referred to separately. The Bible is being very precise as to distinguish the
front four from the back two. So, there is no contradiction at all:
4 walking legs + 2 hind hopping legs = 6 total legs
Leviticus 11:20-23 refers only to the insects with these specific feet-leg
combinations that have wings. Now, I know you’re wondering . . . did any
Israelites actually eat these insects? Look up Matthew 3:4 and Mark 1:6!" Two
Missing Legs: Did Moses say that insects have only four legs? Hodge.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/01/26/contradictions-two-missing-legs
Footnotes
Leviticus 11:41-43 excludes other insects, i.e., those that walk on six legs,
arachnids, and myriapods.
The Bible is not a science book but where it speaks on science it is accurate. Are these problem verses in your mind? Do they undermine the authority of scripture?
John the Baptist (Mt 3:4), eew!
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "This kind of frantic attempt to make every single thing in the Bible literal and doctrinal is one of the things that makes people shy away from Christianity."
Let's make the Bible mean anything we want it to mean. We have every right to take away it's literal meaning when we want to (Hermenetics 666). :idunno:
Two Missing Legs: Did
Moses say that insects have only four legs?