Deuteronomy 14 14

Deuteronomy 14:14 kjv

And every raven after his kind,

Deuteronomy 14:14 nkjv

every raven after its kind;

Deuteronomy 14:14 niv

any kind of raven,

Deuteronomy 14:14 esv

every raven of any kind;

Deuteronomy 14:14 nlt

ravens of all kinds,

Deuteronomy 14 verses

Deuteronomy 14 14 Meaning

Deuteronomy 14:14 is a specific prohibition within the dietary laws given to the Israelites, listing three particular birds—the pelican, the vulture, and the cormorant—as unclean and therefore forbidden for consumption. This instruction is part of a larger divine command intended to set Israel apart as a holy nation dedicated to the Lord, distinguishing them from the practices and diets of surrounding pagan nations. The unclean status of these birds, generally predatory or scavengers, reinforced the principle of purity required for those in covenant with God.

Deuteronomy 14 14 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 14 outlines specific regulations for Israel's conduct as a people set apart for God. It begins with the fundamental identity of Israel as children of the Lord and a holy people (Deut 14:1-2), leading to a general prohibition against eating anything "abominable" (Deut 14:3). The bulk of the chapter (Deut 14:4-20) details lists of clean and unclean animals, differentiating between permitted and forbidden species. This particular verse, Deuteronomy 14:14, continues the enumeration of unclean winged creatures. Beyond dietary restrictions, the chapter also addresses tithing practices, highlighting the importance of sharing resources and remembering the less fortunate (Deut 14:22-29). Historically and culturally, these laws served to maintain the distinctiveness of Israel amidst pagan neighbors, whose worship often involved cultic meals with animals considered defiling by the Mosaic Law. These dietary codes provided tangible boundaries, reinforcing a national identity rooted in their covenant relationship with Yahweh, teaching obedience and setting them apart from the idolatrous practices that sometimes included animal worship or the consumption of scavengers/predators.

Deuteronomy 14 14 Word analysis

• and: (וְ - wə-) A simple conjunction linking this item to the preceding list of unclean birds. It signifies continuity within the established category of prohibited winged creatures.
• the pelican: (הַקָּאָת - haqqā’āṯ) This bird's precise modern identification is debated by scholars, sometimes identified as a cormorant, desert owl, or a specific type of pelican. It is often associated with desolation and ruins in other biblical texts (e.g., Ps 102:6, Isa 34:11). The common characteristic across interpretations is that it's a water bird or a bird of desolate places, often preying on fish or carrion, fitting the profile of an unclean scavenger. Its inclusion emphasizes the scope of forbidden avian life.
• and: (וְ - wə-) Connects the next bird in the list.
• the vulture: (הַנָּשֶׁר - hannašer) This Hebrew term can mean "eagle" or "vulture." In the context of unclean animals and specifically a list prohibiting carrion-eaters and birds of prey, "vulture" is a very strong contender and widely accepted for nesher here. Vultures are quintessential scavengers, known for consuming dead flesh. Prohibiting them underscored the principle of avoiding anything associated with decay or death, contrasting with the life-giving nature of Yahweh.
• and: (וְ - wə-) Connects the final bird listed in this specific verse.
• the cormorant: (וְהַמֶּרֶא - wəhammera’) Again, precise identification is somewhat debated, sometimes rendered as osprey, bald vulture, or diving bird. A cormorant is a fish-eating diving bird, linking it to the pelican in its aquatic predatory nature. Like other listed birds, its mode of feeding (often seizing prey from water, sometimes scavenged) or its association with "wilderness" contributes to its classification as unclean.
• Words-group Analysis: The phrase "the pelican, and the vulture, and the cormorant" groups together specific examples of birds considered ritually unclean. These birds often share characteristics: they are predatory, scavengers, or associated with desolate environments, thereby symbolizing impurity and decay in ancient Israelite thought. The careful listing of these specific creatures demonstrates the meticulousness of the dietary laws and God's detailed guidance for His people's distinctness. This short grouping further establishes the divine boundary between Israel and other nations, teaching Israel discernment in what they consumed and who they were as a holy people.

Deuteronomy 14 14 Bonus section

The term "abominable thing" (Hebrew: to'ebah) found earlier in Deut 14:3, which serves as an overarching principle for these lists, often refers to something ethically, morally, or religiously repulsive to God, not just ceremonially unclean. While dietary laws are largely ceremonial, they tie into this broader concept of to'ebah, signaling practices contrary to God's character. In New Testament theology, the ceremonial dietary laws were fulfilled in Christ, as He purified all foods (Mk 7:19). However, the underlying spiritual principle of discernment and abstaining from things that defile (sin, unholy alliances, worldly lusts) remains foundational for believers today (e.g., 2 Cor 6:14-17). The detailed enumeration of specific unclean creatures also speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's law, designed to encompass every aspect of Israelite life, emphasizing that holiness was to permeate their very sustenance.

Deuteronomy 14 14 Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:14, by naming the pelican, vulture, and cormorant as unclean, underscores the covenantal separation demanded of Israel. These specific birds, predominantly predatory and scavengers, inherently represented death, decay, and impurity within the Mosaic worldview. Their prohibition was not arbitrary, but deeply theological, reflecting the nature of Yahweh, who is life, holiness, and order. By abstaining from these, Israelites outwardly manifested their commitment to God's holiness and distinguished themselves from the dietary and religious practices of their neighbors, where such birds might have been consumed, revered, or used in divination. This dietary instruction cultivated discipline, emphasized the sacredness of life, and constantly reminded Israel of their unique identity and call to purity before a holy God. In a broader sense, it taught them discernment, not only in what they ate but in what they allowed into their lives that could defile their spiritual walk.