Deuteronomy 14:17 kjv
And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,
Deuteronomy 14:17 nkjv
the jackdaw, the carrion vulture, the fisher owl,
Deuteronomy 14:17 niv
the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant,
Deuteronomy 14:17 esv
and the tawny owl, the carrion vulture and the cormorant,
Deuteronomy 14:17 nlt
the desert owl, the Egyptian vulture, the cormorant,
Deuteronomy 14 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 11:17 | and the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant, | Parallel list of unclean birds |
| Lev 11:13 | 'And these you shall regard as detestable among the birds; they shall not be eaten; they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard, | General detestability of certain birds |
| Deut 14:3 | "You shall not eat any detestable thing." | General command against unclean food |
| Isa 66:17 | "Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig's flesh and abominable things and mice, shall come to an end together," declares the LORD. | Judgment on eating detestable things |
| Mk 7:19 | since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) | Jesus declares all foods clean |
| Acts 10:14 | But Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." | Peter's initial reluctance to eat unclean food |
| Acts 10:15 | And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common." | God's declaration that former distinctions lifted |
| Acts 10:28 | And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, yet God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean." | Application to people, not just food |
| Rom 14:17 | For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. | Emphasis on spiritual, not dietary, kingdom |
| 1 Cor 8:8 | Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do eat. | Food neutrality in Christian life |
| Col 2:16 | Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. | Freedom from ceremonial food laws |
| Col 2:17 | These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. | Old Covenant laws as shadow of Christ |
| 1 Tim 4:3 | who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. | Condemns prohibition of created foods |
| 1 Tim 4:4 | For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, | All food is good for Christians |
| Titus 1:15 | To the pure, all things are pure, but to defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but even their minds and consciences are defiled. | Purity comes from within, not diet |
| Heb 9:10 | (being only regulations for the body, imposed until the time of reformation). | Old Covenant rituals were temporary |
| Ps 102:6 | I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places. | Mentions qa'ath (pelican/owl) in desolation |
| Isa 34:11 | But the pelican and the hedgehog will possess it; the owl and the raven will dwell in it. And He will stretch over it the line of confusion and the plummet of emptiness. | Qa'ath in context of desolate judgment |
| Zeph 2:14 | Even the desert owl and the raven will lodge on her lintels; their voice will hoot in the windows; devastation will be on the thresholds; for He has laid bare the cedar work. | Qa'ath linked to desolation of Nineveh |
| Eph 5:18 | And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. | Contrast external observance with internal Spirit-filling |
Deuteronomy 14 verses
Deuteronomy 14 17 Meaning
Deuteronomy 14:17 specifies three types of birds – the pelican, the vulture, and the cormorant – as "unclean" for consumption by the Israelites. This injunction forms part of God's dietary laws given to His chosen people, intended to distinguish them as a holy nation set apart from the surrounding pagan cultures and practices. The declaration marks these birds as prohibited food, reinforcing principles of ritual purity and obedience to divine commands.
Deuteronomy 14 17 Context
Deuteronomy 14 is a re-affirmation and expansion of the dietary laws originally given in Leviticus 11. It immediately follows chapters discussing Israel's special status as God's treasured possession (Deut 14:2) and their calling to be a holy people, distinct from the surrounding nations. The laws regarding clean and unclean animals serve to underline this separation, defining the boundaries of purity that reflected God's own holiness. The broader context of Deuteronomy is Moses delivering the Law to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab before entering the Promised Land. These statutes provided a blueprint for their national and spiritual identity, emphasizing obedience as foundational to their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Historically, these dietary distinctions would prevent Israel from sharing meals with idolaters and participating in their cultic practices, thereby preserving their religious integrity.
Deuteronomy 14 17 Word analysis
- and the pelican,
- "pelican": From the Hebrew qa'ath (קָאַת). While commonly translated as pelican due to its identification with water and solitary habits, some biblical scholars and versions (e.g., NIV, ESV in Lev 11:18) render it as "owl," "screech owl," or "desert owl." This interpretation connects to passages like Psalm 102:6, Isaiah 34:11, and Zephaniah 2:14, where the qa'ath is associated with desolate places and ruins. Regardless of the exact bird, it signifies an unclean creature often linked to impure environments or practices. Its designation as unclean reinforces the meticulousness of God's purity standards.
- and the vulture,
- "vulture": From the Hebrew racham (רָחָם). This term is often identified as the Egyptian vulture or "gier eagle." This bird is a carrion-eater, a scavenger that consumes dead animals. Such an association with death and decay made it ritually impure in the eyes of God, underscoring the Israelite separation from anything perceived as corrupt or defiled. The inclusion of scavenging birds emphasizes a distinction from those that defile themselves by what they consume.
- and the cormorant,
- "cormorant": From the Hebrew shalakh (שָׁלָךְ). This word literally means "a diver" or "plunger," which aligns well with the behavior of a cormorant, known for diving for fish. Similar to the pelican, it's a water bird, and its dietary habits (eating fish it catches) or its overall nature might have contributed to its unclean status, possibly related to practices in neighboring cultures or simply aligning with the divine distinction set forth.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "the pelican, and the vulture, and the cormorant,": This list specifies types of birds characterized as "unclean" (tame') for consumption. The categorization includes birds often associated with water, solitude, scavenging (consuming carrion), or specific hunting methods (diving). The recurring theme among many unclean birds in these lists (Deut 14, Lev 11) is their predatory nature, consumption of carrion, or association with environments deemed impure, further signifying a stark contrast with the holiness commanded of God's people. This distinction served to constantly remind Israel of their unique covenant relationship with a holy God.
Deuteronomy 14 17 Bonus section
The specific inclusion of certain birds in the "unclean" lists (Deut 14, Lev 11) often points to more than just dietary concerns. Many scholars propose these laws also acted as a protective barrier against pagan practices common in the Near East, where certain birds were used in divination, cultic rituals, or were seen as totems. By forbidding their consumption, God was not only setting dietary boundaries but also subtly guarding Israel against spiritual contamination by disassociating them from the symbols and practices of idolatry prevalent among their neighbors. Furthermore, the very nature of these birds – solitary, associated with desolation (pelican/owl), or preying on carrion (vulture) – implicitly teaches separation from the defiled, the unproductive, or the life-denying aspects, pointing God's people towards a way of life that celebrates purity and sanctification in all spheres.
Deuteronomy 14 17 Commentary
Deuteronomy 14:17 presents a segment of the divine dietary code for ancient Israel, listing specific birds forbidden for food. These injunctions were not merely about hygiene or health, but profoundly symbolic, serving as a constant visible reminder of Israel's unique covenant status with God. By declaring certain animals unclean, God set His people apart from the nations that often consumed such creatures or even revered them. The forbidden birds, like the pelican, vulture, and cormorant, are typically scavengers or predatory birds, often associated with wild, desolate, or death-filled environments. Their inclusion in the list underscores the Israelites' need to maintain ritual purity and holiness, preventing them from internalizing practices or mindsets associated with impurity. For instance, the consumption of carrion by vultures linked them to death and defilement, whereas Israel was to be a people of life, dedicated to God's holiness. These laws, while no longer binding for New Covenant believers (as understood in passages like Acts 10, Romans 14), reflect enduring principles of discernment, obedience, and distinction in following God's commands.