Deuteronomy 14 10

Deuteronomy 14:10 kjv

And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.

Deuteronomy 14:10 nkjv

And whatever does not have fins and scales you shall not eat; it is unclean for you.

Deuteronomy 14:10 niv

But anything that does not have fins and scales you may not eat; for you it is unclean.

Deuteronomy 14:10 esv

And whatever does not have fins and scales you shall not eat; it is unclean for you.

Deuteronomy 14:10 nlt

You may not, however, eat marine animals that do not have both fins and scales. They are ceremonially unclean for you.

Deuteronomy 14 verses

Deuteronomy 14 10 Meaning

Deuteronomy 14:10 concisely dictates that any aquatic creature lacking both fins and scales is prohibited for consumption by the Israelites. Such creatures are explicitly declared "unclean" (Hebrew: tame), rendering them ritually impure for God's chosen people. This commandment reinforces Israel's separation and distinct identity as a holy nation dedicated to Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 14 10 Context

Deuteronomy 14 is part of Moses' farewell addresses, where he reiterates and expands upon laws given at Mount Sinai, preparing the Israelites for life in the promised land. The chapter begins by reminding Israel of their distinct identity as a holy people belonging to Yahweh. The dietary laws (Dt 14:3-20), including verse 10, immediately follow this declaration, underscoring that what Israel consumes is part of their consecrated status. Historically, these laws were given to separate Israel from the idolatrous practices and general "defilement" of surrounding pagan nations. While some believe there were hygienic benefits, the primary emphasis in the text and by ancient Near Eastern scholars is the theological and sociological function: to visibly define Israel's holiness and distinctiveness, preventing assimilation and reinforcing their covenant relationship with God.

Deuteronomy 14 10 Word analysis

• And whatever (וְכֹל v'chol): Literally "and all" or "and everything." This phrase is comprehensive, leaving no room for exceptions within the category of aquatic creatures that lack the specified features. It ensures a clear, exhaustive application of the rule.
• does not have (אֵין לוֹ eyn lo): Simple negation meaning "there is not to it" or "it lacks." This clearly states the absence of the required characteristics for an aquatic creature to be considered clean.
• fins (סְנַפִּיר sanppir): Refers to the locomotive and steering appendages of fish. Fins are essential for navigating, active movement, and survival in flowing water. In symbolic terms, creatures with fins exhibit proper form and function within their environment.
• and scales (וְקַשְׂקֶשֶׁת veqasqeseth): These are the protective plates or layers on the skin of most fish. Scales imply a natural, identifiable form and a defense mechanism. Their absence (e.g., in eels, shellfish like shrimp or lobster, catfish) often corresponds to bottom-dwelling or scavenging behavior, and these creatures were considered ambiguous or abnormal in their environment from an Israelite perspective. The dual requirement for both fins and scales narrows the category of permissible aquatic life considerably.
• you shall not eat (לֹא תֹאכְלוּ lo tochlu): A direct, imperative prohibition. This is a command to cease or refrain from a specific action, emphasizing God's authority and Israel's required obedience in their daily lives. The negative imperative highlights a clear boundary.
• it is unclean for you (טָמֵא הוּא לָכֶם tame hu lakhem):
  • unclean (טָמֵא tame): This term denotes ritual impurity or defilement. It does not necessarily imply hygienic danger, but rather a state that renders a person unfit for holy activities or interactions with God until purification rituals are performed. The tame was the antithesis of qadosh (holy).
  • for you (לָכֶם lakhem): Specifically directed at the Israelites. These dietary laws were for them, distinguishing them from the surrounding nations who did not share their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

Words-Group Analysis

• "And whatever does not have fins and scales": This precise, anatomical description sets the specific criteria for exclusion. It's a simple, observable characteristic, making the law clear and implementable for the common person without complex analysis. The combined absence of both elements is key to the "unclean" designation, highlighting creatures that might be perceived as aberrant or boundary-crossing in their natural environment.
• "you shall not eat; it is unclean for you": This clause directly connects the prohibited act of consumption to the state of ritual impurity. Eating "unclean" food would render the Israelite impure, which then required purification before they could engage in worship or communal life. This illustrates the holistic nature of holiness, permeating even the daily act of eating. It emphasizes that physical acts have spiritual implications and that the boundaries God set were serious and foundational to Israel's covenant identity.

Deuteronomy 14 10 Bonus section

• Scholarly interpretations often connect the prohibition of animals lacking specific "normal" features (like fins and scales for fish, or chewing the cud and split hooves for land animals) to a desire for order and categorization. Creatures that blurred these categories or appeared "abnormal" were often deemed unclean. This system of dietary laws thus reflected and reinforced a worldview of divine order and the proper boundaries established by the Creator.
• The selection of clean and unclean foods also functioned as a profound sociological barrier. It created a tangible separation between Israel and other nations. By regulating what could and could not be eaten, the Law limited communal meals with pagans, which often involved participation in idolatrous rites, thus preserving Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh and guarding against assimilation.
• Beyond mere rules, these regulations taught Israel to view all of life, including mundane acts like eating, through the lens of their covenant with God. Every meal became a reminder of their status as a holy people and the disciplined life required of them. This holistic approach to holiness pointed toward a deeper spiritual truth: just as certain foods were unclean for them, so were certain actions and attitudes incompatible with their divine calling.

Deuteronomy 14 10 Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:10, along with parallel passages in Leviticus, establishes a clear, non-negotiable dietary boundary for ancient Israel. The twin criteria of fins and scales for aquatic life served not primarily as a health regulation, but as a visible identifier for "clean" creatures. Those lacking these features were considered "unclean" or ritually impure. This law, part of the broader system of ritual purity, deeply imprinted on Israel the concept of being "set apart" (qadosh) from the world around them. It fostered discipline, obedience, and a constant awareness of God's sovereign distinction between the sacred and the common. These laws were object lessons in what it meant to live a life wholly consecrated to Yahweh, distinguishing His people from the impure and idolatrous practices of neighboring cultures. The focus was on spiritual separation and identity, prefiguring the New Covenant emphasis on inward holiness through Christ.