What is the relationship between reflecting the Lord’s holiness and distinguishing between clean and unclean animals?
The Hebrews are called to be set apart because the Lord is holy. As such, they are called to reflect his holiness by distinguishing between the clean and unclean. The emphasis of this command is highlighted by Currid who points out that these verses are structured as a chiasm:
A You shall separate
B the clean beast
C from the unclean
C’ the unclean bird
B’ from the clean1
25 Vous observerez la distinction entre les animaux purs et impurs, entre les oiseaux purs et impurs, afin de ne pas rendre vos personnes abominables par des animaux, par des oiseaux, par tous les reptiles de la terre, que je vous ai appris à distinguer comme impurs.