Leviticus 11:20

“All fowls that creep, etc.] Or rather “every creeping thing that flies”; for what are designed are not properly fowls, but, as the Jewish writers interpret them, flies, fleas, bees, wasps, hornets, locusts, etc. so the Targum of Jonathan, Jarchi, Ben Gersom, and Maimonides f333: going upon [all] four; that is, upon their four feet, when they walk or creep: [these shall be] an abomination to you; not used as food, but detested as such.”

“All fowls that creep, &c.--By "fowls" here are to be understood all creatures with wings and "going upon all fours," not a restriction to animals which have exactly four feet, because many "creeping things" have more than that number. The prohibition is regarded generally as extending to insects, reptiles, and worms.”

“Rather, “All creeping things which have wings,” etc. The word rendered creeping things may be regarded as coextensive with our word vermin. It is derived from a verb which signifies not only to creep, but to teem, or bring forth abundantly Genesis 1:21; Genesis 8:17; Exodus 8:3; Psalms 105:30, and so easily came to denote creatures which are apt to abound, to the annoyance of mankind. return to 'Top of Page'”

“All fowls - Flying things that crawl or creep upon the earth, and so degenerate from their proper nature, and are of a mongrel kind, which may intimate that apostates and mongrels in religion are abominable in the sight of God. Upon all four - Upon four legs, or upon more than four, which is all one to the present purpose. Leviticus 11:22”

“Lev 11:23, Lev 11:27; Deu 14:19; Kg2 17:28-41; Psa 17:14; Mat 6:24; Phi 3:18, Phi 3:19; Ti2 4:10; Jo1 2:15-17; Jde 1:10, Jde 1:19 Leviticus 11:22”

“(cf. Deu 14:19). To the birds there are appended flying animals of other kinds: "all swarms of fowl that go upon fours," i.e., the smaller winged animals with four feet, which are called sherez, "swarms," on account of their multitude. These were not to be eaten, as they were all abominations, with the exception of those "which have two shank-feet above their feet (i.e., springing feet) to leap with" (לא for לו as in Exo 21:8). Locusts are the animals referred to, four varieties being mentioned with their different species ("after his kind"); but these cannot be identified with exactness, as there is still a dearth of information as to the natural history of the oriental locust. It is well…”