Why does the Old Testament (Tanach) forbid the eating of pork?

Question

Does hypertension have anything to do with the prohibition?

Answer 1

no hypertension had nothing to do with it. These laws seem to have been intended,

1. As a test of the people's obedience, as Adam was forbidden to eat of the tree of knowledge; and to teach them self-denial, and the government of their appetites.

2. To keep the Israelites distinct from other nations. Many also of these forbidden animals were objects of superstition and idolatry to the heathen.

3. The people were taught to make distinctions between the holy and unholy in their companions and intimate connexions.

4. The lawforbad, not only the eating of the unclean beasts, but the touching of them. Those who would be kept from any sin, must be careful to avoid all temptations to it, or coming near it. The exceptions are very minute, and all were designed to call forth constant care and exactness in their obedience; and to teach us to obey. Whilst we enjoy our Christian liberty, and are free from such burdensome observances, we must be careful not to abuse our liberty.


Here is the scripture,

Leviticus 11(KIng James Version)
1And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,

2Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.

3Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.

4Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

5And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

6And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

7And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.

8Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.......

God bless

Answer 2

First, the new and old Testament has not been changed. If one wants to be a critic and debate changes within the word of God, they should first consider that the original manuscripts are still available for anyone to review. God did command not to eat pork which was a foul animal. God did not allow the eating of any animal that was foul which including more than the pig. The only type of meat that was allowed was the meat from clean animals that could be used as a sacrifice before God. Look into the clean and foul animals and study a little, it will be worth your time.

Answer 3

The dietary code was based on a time when there was no refridgeration and it was given to a group of people who lived in close proximity. It was only one of many practical health codes in the Law of Moses to prevent sickness and disease which could spread to the whole camp of Israel.

Pigs are not particular about what they eat. They will eat almost anything you give them. Without a lot of antibiotics they are prone to infections in their meat, more than the plant eating animals. In the ancient days their diet was not controlled at all and they were full of Trichinosis worms that would enter into men who ate their meat. Other animals that are omnivores like Pigs are bears and raccoons and rodents (such as squirrels) Some people eat them and some do not.

Grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, and deer have generally safer meat than pork.

We still do not eat the meat of predatory animals (meat eating) in general.

The modern pork meat is leaner, and safer and still we are cautioned not to eat it without thorough cooking. The amount of fat in pork today is relatively smaller than formerly.

Answer 4

People didn't cook/handle pork right; it was usually undercooked; pork can easily cause worms if not cooked thoroughly. Thus, it was banned for health reasons.

Hypertension has nothing to do with it, as far as I know...they did not know about hypertension/cholesterol; the ban on food was to keep people from getting sick.

Answer 5

Yeah, sort of, due to the grease or lard in pork. Improperly cooked or handled, pork is not good for humans. It was worse in the Bible times because of no refrigeration and improper cooking on poor stoves, etc. There is a worm in pork that will cause a sickness in people if it isn't cooked well done. Trichinosis is the result of eating poorly cooked pork or bear meat, sometimes. Good luck.

Answer 6

It has nothing to do with hypertension. God also forbade the use of other animals as food because they were scavengers. The saying that "you are what you eat" also applies to the animals, and those animals that God called unclean were scavengers that he had created to clean the earth. Those animals that he made as "clean" were animals that ate only vegetables or grass and that had a good digestive system that would help to prevent them from becoming diseased.

Answer 7

Wasn't just pork. Shellfish...things that eat of the dead.

Remember reading a book "the King's Diet" and was surprised...it points out that there really is a lot more health reasons to follow Kosher.

Answer 8

Because in those days pork was disease ridden. Now, though, we have eradicated trichinosis and that coupled with the breeding and raising of pigs in cleaner conditions by farmers has made a world of difference. There are no health hazards in eating pork today and in fact it is quite nutritious.

Answer 9

Three reasons.In Israel the pigs would eat a plant that was toxic to humans but not to them.Tricinosis (tape worm eggs and larvae) was common back then and Pork spoils quickly without refrigeration.Same with shell fish.

Answer 10

A pig is a filthy animal. LOL. I've been wanting to quote Samuel L. Jackson for soooo long.