All foods are clean

[JEBofChristTheLord]

Blundered into this one today. Am surprised I had not remembered it.

Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever enters into a person from outside cannot defile him, because it cannot go into his heart, but it goes into his stomach and then passes out into the latrine?” With this statement Jesus declared all foods clean.
Mark 7:18-19

This is a clear and present statement by Christ the Lord, that He and His adopted brothers and sisters, have no bondage to obedience to a large number of Laws of Moses.

It is very relevant indeed, that all of those laws include words stating that they apply between God and the children of the man named Israel. Any of us who were Hebrew in ancestry or adoption, whom Christ the Lord saves, are no longer to be considered so, and so those Laws do not bind us, just like they do not bind Him. Those Laws never bound anyone else, except by tradition of men and vows which He has declared to be evil since His advent.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

All foods are clean​

5 Second rule

 

[Freth]

The context of the chapter is shown in the opening verses.

Mark 7:1-5 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?​

In Matthew 15:20, which chronicles the same event, Jesus makes a closing statement that sets straight exactly what He meant.

Matthew 15:16-20 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.​

Conclusion:

• The subject from the outset is Jesus and the disciples eating with unwashen hands.
• The subject in closing is eating with unwashen hands.
• Jesus and the disciples were eating bread.
• One would have to ignore the context of eating with unwashen hands to come to the conclusion that Jesus is declaring that all foods are good to eat.

What about Peter's vision of common and unclean in Acts 10? Again we find opening and closing context. An angel of God visits a Roman centurion named Cornelius, a devout man of God, to tell him to send for Peter. Immediately it is established that is concerning a meeting between Cornelius and Peter.

Acts 10: There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.​

Meanwhile, Peter has his own vision.

Acts 10:9-18 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. his was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.​

Peter did not immediately come to the conclusion that God was telling him that all foods are good to eat. He pondered the meaning of the vision. The Spirit did not give him the interpretation, but tells Peter to meet the men that were sent for him.

Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.​

Peter takes in the men, and on the next day sets out to go meet with Cornelius.

Acts 10:23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.​

​

Peter arrives.

​

Acts 10:24-27 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.​

Peter discerns the meaning of the vision.

Acts 10:28-29 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?​

Later, Peter expands on the meaning of the vision.

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.​

​

Conclusion:

• Peter does not come to the conclusion that all foods are good to eat, despite the symbols in the vision.
• Peter interprets the vision as God showing him that he should not call any man common or unclean; it was unlawful for a man that was a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation.
• Peter perceives a truth, that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted to him.
• One would have to ignore the context to come to the conclusion that God is declaring all foods as clean to eat. Peter gives the interpretation which has nothing to do with food.

 

[trophy33]

• One would have to ignore the context to come to the conclusion that God is declaring all foods as clean to eat. Peter gives the interpretation which has nothing to do with food.

The detailed dietary laws of the Old Testament were symbolic of the separation from Gentiles. Thats why they were cancelled together.

Its the standard/orthodox Christian view. Its mostly some relatively new sects or cults that try to untie these two things from each other and to keep the Mosaic dietary laws as still valid.

 

[Clare73]

The context of the chapter is shown in the opening verses.

Mark 7:1-5 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?​

In Matthew 15:20, which chronicles the same event, Jesus makes a closing statement that sets straight exactly what He meant.

Matthew 15:16-20 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.​

Conclusion:

• The subject from the outset is Jesus and the disciples eating with unwashen hands.
• The subject in closing is eating with unwashen hands.
• Jesus and the disciples were eating bread.
• One would have to ignore the context of eating with unwashen hands to come to the conclusion that Jesus is declaring that all foods are good to eat.

What about Peter's vision of common and unclean in Acts 10? Again we find opening and closing context. An angel of God visits a Roman centurion named Cornelius, a devout man of God, to tell him to send for Peter. Immediately it is established that is concerning a meeting between Cornelius and Peter.

Acts 10: There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.​

Meanwhile, Peter has his own vision.

Acts 10:9-18 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. his was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.​

Peter did not immediately come to the conclusion that God was telling him that all foods are good to eat. He pondered the meaning of the vision. The Spirit did not give him the interpretation, but tells Peter to meet the men that were sent for him.

Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.​

Peter takes in the men, and on the next day sets out to go meet with Cornelius.

Acts 10:23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.​

​

Peter arrives.

​

Acts 10:24-27 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.​

Peter discerns the meaning of the vision.

Acts 10:28-29 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?​

Later, Peter expands on the meaning of the vision.

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.​

​

Conclusion:

• Peter does not come to the conclusion that all foods are good to eat, despite the symbols in the vision.:3)
• Peter interprets the vision as God showing him that he should not call any man common or unclean; it was unlawful for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation.
• Peter perceives a truth, that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted to him.
• One would have to ignore the context to come to the conclusion that God is declaring all foods as clean to eat. Peter gives the interpretation which has nothing to do with food.

All food is clean (Ge 9:3, Ro 14:14).

Only during the temporary Levitical laws, to teach the meaning of of sin as spiritual defilement, was any food unclean.

The context of the chapter is shown in the opening verses.

Mark 7:1-5 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?​

In Matthew 15:20, which chronicles the same event, Jesus makes a closing statement that sets straight exactly what He meant.

Matthew 15:16-20 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.​

Conclusion:

• The subject from the outset is Jesus and the disciples eating with unwashen hands.
• The subject in closing is eating with unwashen hands.
• Jesus and the disciples were eating bread.
• One would have to ignore the context of eating with unwashen hands to come to the conclusion that Jesus is declaring that all foods are good to eat.

What about Peter's vision of common and unclean in Acts 10? Again we find opening and closing context. An angel of God visits a Roman centurion named Cornelius, a devout man of God, to tell him to send for Peter. Immediately it is established that is concerning a meeting between Cornelius and Peter.

Acts 10: There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.​

Meanwhile, Peter has his own vision.

Acts 10:9-18 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. his was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.​

Peter did not immediately come to the conclusion that God was telling him that all foods are good to eat. He pondered the meaning of the vision. The Spirit did not give him the interpretation, but tells Peter to meet the men that were sent for him.

Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.​

Peter takes in the men, and on the next day sets out to go meet with Cornelius.

Acts 10:23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.​

​

Peter arrives.

​

Acts 10:24-27 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.​

Peter discerns the meaning of the vision.

Acts 10:28-29 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent Later, Peter expands on the meaning of the vision.​

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.​

​

Conclusion:

• Peter does not come to the conclusion that all foods are good to eat, despite the symbols in the vision.
• Peter interprets the vision as God showing him that he should not call any man common or unclean; it was unlawful for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation.
• Peter perceives a truth, that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted to him.

• One would have to ignore the context to come to the conclusion that God is declaring all foods as clean to eat. Peter gives the interpretation which has nothing to do with food.

And one would have to ignore the clear authoritative (Lk 10:16) teaching received in heaven by the apostle, Paul (2 Co 12:1-7, as Jesus received his teaching in heaven, Jn 3:13);

i.e., "no food is unclean in itself" (Ro 14:14).

 

[timothyu]

On the short term, yes. And yet 5000 years later they find that shrimp especially which are natural filters, are full of plastics, becoming a hazard to human health. Is it not common sense that garbage eaters, carrion eaters and filters could pose a problem to human health when eaten? There are plenty of clean foods including meat out there. Problem is humans like to self determine what is good and evil.

 

[Clare73]

On the short term, yes. And yet 5000 years later they find that shrimp especially which are natural filters, are full of plastics, becoming a hazard to human health.

Which has nothing to do with the nature of the food itself.

You are in disagreement with the word of God regarding the inherent nature of food (Ge 9:3, Ro 14:14).

Pollution doesn't make food "evil," it makes it unhealthy.

On the short term, yes. And yet 5000 years later they find that shrimp especially which are natural filters, are full of plastics, becoming a hazard to human health. Is it not common sense that garbage eaters, carrion eaters and filters could pose a problem to human health when eaten? There are plenty of clean foods including meat out there. Problem is humans like to self determine what is good and evil.

The food laws were not about good and evil, they were about teaching the meaning of sin as spiritual defilement.

 

[timothyu]

Is it not common sense that garbage eaters, carrion eaters and filters could pose a problem to human health when eaten?

 

[Soyeong]

Blundered into this one today. Am surprised I had not remembered it.

This is a clear and present statement by Christ the Lord, that He and His adopted brothers and sisters, have no bondage to obedience to a large number of Laws of Moses.

It is very relevant indeed, that all of those laws include words stating that they apply between God and the children of the man named Israel. Any of us who were Hebrew in ancestry or adoption, whom Christ the Lord saves, are no longer to be considered so, and so those Laws do not bind us, just like they do not bind Him. Those Laws never bound anyone else, except by tradition of men and vows which He has declared to be evil since His advent.

Jesus quoted three times from Deuteronomy in order to defeat the temptations of Satan, including saying that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God, so he affirmed its authority, which includes affirming everything that came from the mouth of God in Deuteronomy 5:31-33. In Deuteronomy 12:32, it is a sin to add to or subtract from the Mosaic Law, so Jesus did not do that. In Deuteronomy 13, the way that God instructed His people to determine that someone is a false prophet who is not speaking for Him is if they teach against obeying the Mosaic Law, so again Jesus did not do that. So there is no room for those who consider Jesus to be the Messiah to interpret him in a way that turns him against obeying Deuteronomy 14 or any other part of God's word.

If God saved the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt in order to put them under bondage to His law, then it would be for bondage that God sets us free, however, Galatians 5:1 says that it is for freedom that God sets us free. In Psalms 119:142, the Mosaic Law is truth, and in John 8:31-36, it is the transgression of the Mosaic Law that puts us into bondage while while the truth sets us free. Jesus saves us from our sin (Matthew 1:21) and it is by the Mosaic Law that we have knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20), so Jesus graciously teaching us to be a doer of the Mosaic Law is intrinsically the way that he is giving us his gift of saving us from not being a doer of it. In Titus 2:14, it doesn't say that Jesus gave himself to free us from the Mosaic Law, but in order to free us from all lawless and to purify for himself a people of his own possession who are zealous for doing good works, so the way to believe in what Jesus accomplished through the cross is by becoming zealous for doing good works in obedience to the Mosaic Law and the freedom that we have in Christ is the freedom from sin, not the freedom to sin.

In regard to Jesus declaring all foods clear, there are a number of translations that don't say that, primarily because there is no "thus he declared" in the Greek, but even granting that that is the correct translation it wouldn't mean that we can eat unclean animals. The things the are considered to be food vary from culture to culture, such if you heard an average person from the US speaking about eating food, then it would be incorrect to assume that they speaking about eating animals like cats, rats, bats, dogs, camels, vultures, or horses. Likewise, it would be incorrect for a cannibal to interpret Jesus as saying that human flesh is good to eat. So when we have one Jew speaking to a group of Jews about food, then we should consider them to be speaking about the things that they considered to be food, namely the things that the Mosaic Law says are food. Jesus was having a conversation about whether it is possible for someone to become common by eating bread with unwashed hands (Matthew 15:20), so he wasn't even speaking about eating animals.

While the Greek words "akathartos" and "koinos" both refer to a type of defilement, but Bible never uses them interchangeably, so when Jesus said "koinos", it is incorrect to interpret him as if he had said "akathartos'. For example, in Acts 10:14, Peter used both words to say that he had never eaten anything that was common or unclean.

In Mark 7:1-13, Jesus criticized the Pharisees as being hypocrites for setting aside the commands of God, so he should not be interpreted as turning around and even more hypocritically doing what he just finished criticizing them as being hypocrites for doing. His critics wouldn't have needed to find false witness at his trail, but this incident was never even brought up and no one reacted as if he had been promoting rebellion against God. It is much more reason to interpret Jesus as simply continuing to discuss the topic of conversation.

 

[trophy33]

Is it not common sense that garbage eaters, carrion eaters and filters could pose a problem to human health when eaten?

Many things can pose a problem to human health, from milk to bread to wine to a peanut. Health was not the point of the dietary laws in the Mosaic covenant.

 

[timothyu]

Health was not the point of the dietary laws in the Mosaic covenant.

It should be now.

 

[trophy33]

It should be now.

Health should be the point of our diets, yes. But it has nothing to do with the ceremonial dietary rules of the Mosaic Law. One can find unhealthy food in it and healthy foods outside of it.

 

[rstrats]

Before the ark set sail, Noah was told to take seven of each of every clean animal - both the male and his female - and two each of every unclean animal - both the male and his female (Genesis 7:2).

Any thoughts on why a distinction was made?

 

[timothyu]

They could only eat the clean?

 

[David Lamb]

Before the ark set sail, Noah was told to take seven of each of every clean animal - both the male and his female - and two each of every unclean animal - both the male and his female (Genesis 7:2).

Any thoughts on why a distinction was made?

Possibly for sacrifice.

 

[trophy33]

Before the ark set sail, Noah was told to take seven of each of every clean animal - both the male and his female - and two each of every unclean animal - both the male and his female (Genesis 7:2).

Any thoughts on why a distinction was made?

Genesis was composed/written around the 8th century BC, in the Babylonian exile. It is full of symbolism, I would not take this number 7 literally any more than giants, 40 days, a tower reaching heavens etc.

Even the "clean/unclean" distinction is obviously from the Mosaic Law, inserted retrospectively into the Genesis story.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Before the ark set sail, Noah was told to take seven of each of every clean animal - both the male and his female - and two each of every unclean animal - both the male and his female (Genesis 7:2).

Any thoughts on why a distinction was made?

Lions like to eat cows?

 

[Clare73]

Before the ark set sail, Noah was told to take seven of each of every clean animal - both the male and his female - and two each of every unclean animal - both the male and his female (Genesis 7:2).

Any thoughts on why a distinction was made?

The clean animals were for sacrifice.

 

[rstrats]

Clare73,
re: "The clean animals were for sacrifice."

Not the "distinction" between seven and two, but as to why the animals were categorized as clean and unclean?

 

[timothyu]

Clean, unclean. God didn’t destroy evil with the flood but only what had been created by the misuse of it. Good and evil are a necessary part of creation. Our abuse of it is not.