A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 10:12

"wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven." — Acts 10:12 (ASV)

Were (υπηρχεν). Imperfect of υπαρχω in sense of ην, to exist, be. Fish are not mentioned, perhaps because the sheet had no water, though they were clean and unclean also (Leviticus 11:9; Deuteronomy 14:9).

All manner of (παντα). Literally, all, but clearly all varieties, not all individuals. Both clean and unclean animals are in the sheet.