1. Lévitique 19:23 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

What does it mean for the fruit to be “forbidden”?

Lévitique 19:23 (NEG79)

23 Quand vous serez entrés dans le pays, et que vous y aurez planté toutes sortes d'arbres fruitiers, vous en regarderez les fruits comme incirconcis; pendant trois ans, ils seront pour vous incirconcis; on n'en mangera point.

The literal translation of the term forbidden is circumcised. The word is used widely in the Old Testament to define someone who is outside the holy community. It is also used metaphorically of things that are inappropriate, or that do not work correctly (see, for example, Exodus 6:12, Exodus 6:30; Deuteronomy 10:16). Understood in this way, the word means that the fruit is taboo and not to be touched.