Leviticus 7:21 details three scenarios that would render someone unclean. Someone would be rendered unclean if they touch human uncleanness (this will be discussed in more detail in Leviticus 12–15), animal uncleanness (e.g., the carcass of a dead animal), or a “detestable thing.” Elsewhere in Leviticus the word detestable
is used of water creatures or small reptiles (see Leviticus 11:10, Leviticus 11:20–21, Leviticus 11:29, Leviticus 11:41–42). The person who touches such things is required to be ritually purified before participating in a peace offering.
21 And if anyone touches an unclean thing, whether human uncleanness or an unclean beast or any unclean detestable creature, and then eats some flesh from the sacrifice of the LORD’s peace offerings, that person shall be cut off from his people.”