Deuteronomy 14 6

Deuteronomy 14:6 kjv

And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.

Deuteronomy 14:6 nkjv

And you may eat every animal with cloven hooves, having the hoof split into two parts, and that chews the cud, among the animals.

Deuteronomy 14:6 niv

You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud.

Deuteronomy 14:6 esv

Every animal that parts the hoof and has the hoof cloven in two and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat.

Deuteronomy 14:6 nlt

"You may eat any animal that has completely split hooves and chews the cud,

Deuteronomy 14 verses

Deuteronomy 14 6 Meaning

Deuteronomy 14:6 specifies criteria for edible four-footed animals among the Israelites. It declares that any animal that both has a cloven (or parted) hoof and chews the cud is permissible for consumption. This verse reinforces God's dietary regulations, distinguishing what is ritually clean for His people to eat, setting them apart from other nations.

Deuteronomy 14 6 Context

Deuteronomy 14:6 is part of a larger section (Deuteronomy 14:3-21) detailing dietary laws for Israel, immediately following a prohibition against self-mutilation for the dead, emphasizing Israel's identity as God's holy people. These dietary regulations underscore their distinctiveness and consecration to God. The chapter emphasizes Israel's special status as "a holy people to the Lord your God" and "a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth" (Dt 14:2). The historical context places this as Moses' final address to the Israelites before entering the Promised Land, reiterating and explaining the laws given at Sinai. The dietary laws served to physically set Israel apart from the surrounding Canaanite nations and their pagan practices, many of which involved eating animals deemed unclean by YHWH or participating in cultic feasts involving such animals. This prohibition acted as a protective barrier against assimilation into paganism, preventing spiritual defilement and maintaining the purity required for a people in covenant with a holy God.

Deuteronomy 14 6 Word analysis

• And every beast: The Hebrew term here is behemah (בְּהֵמָה), generally referring to domestic quadrupeds or large land animals. The phrase "every beast" (vechol behemah) indicates a comprehensive application to this category of animals, setting the scope for the dietary laws within the land animals.
• that parteth the hoof: The Hebrew mafriset parsa (מַפְרֶסֶת פַּרְסָה) literally means "divides the hoof" or "splits the hoof." This refers to the physical characteristic of the hoof being visibly cleft or divided into two parts, a hallmark of many ruminant animals. This is one of two key physical criteria for clean animals.
• and cleaveth the cleft into two claws: The Hebrew phrase ve'shoshelet shesa shetei p'rasot (וְשֹׁסַעַת שֶׁסַע שְׁתֵי פְּרָסוֹת) is a very specific anatomical description. Shoshelet means "splits" or "completely divides," shesa refers to the "cleft" or "opening," and shetei p'rasot means "two hoofs" or "two claws/parts of the hoof." This specifies that the hoof must not only be parted, but truly and deeply divided, resulting in two distinct parts, effectively meaning "cloven-footed." This emphasizes a complete anatomical division rather than a mere groove.
• [and] cheweth the cud: While not explicitly present in the original Hebrew of Dt 14:6 but found in its parallel in Lev 11:3 and implied for completeness of the rule (it is present in Dt 14:7 for unclean animals, by contrasting to those that only chew the cud but lack the split hoof), this refers to ma'aleh gerah (מַעֲלֵה גֵרָה). This physiological process involves an animal regurgitating partially digested food and chewing it again. Together with the cloven hoof, it forms the dual requirements for ritual cleanness. Animals like cows, sheep, and goats possess both traits.
• among the beasts: This clarifies that the preceding criteria apply specifically to the category of land-dwelling quadrupeds (behemah).
• that ye shall eat: The phrase ohto tokhekhu (אֹתוֹ תֹּאכֵלוּ) conveys permission and directive for consumption. This specifies what is allowed, contrasted with later verses outlining what is not allowed. The permission to eat certain animals underscores God's provision for His people.

Words-group analysis:

• "parteth the hoof and cleaveth the cleft into two claws": This detailed anatomical description highlights the specificity of the Mosaic Law. It's not a superficial division, but a deep, clear split. This precision underscores the divine authority and intentionality behind the dietary code, distinguishing Israel from other nations who might have more arbitrary dietary customs. The physical characteristics pointed to by God for "cleanness" are not explicitly health-related in the text, but symbolic markers of divine order and distinction for His consecrated people.
• "every beast... that ye shall eat": This combination indicates a divine provision alongside divine restriction. God provides food, but within defined boundaries, teaching obedience and setting His people apart in their daily lives. The act of eating, fundamental to survival, thus became a constant reminder of their covenant relationship and unique identity.

Deuteronomy 14 6 Bonus section

The seemingly unusual animal classifications within the clean/unclean lists have been a subject of extensive rabbinic and scholarly discussion. Beyond direct obedience, these laws often served as identity markers and symbolic expressions of holiness, much like Sabbath observance or circumcision. The act of "chewing the cud" can be metaphorically linked to rumination or meditation on God's word, and the "cloven hoof" could symbolize discernment, walking circumspectly in the world without being fully entangled by it. This is not explicit biblical interpretation, but rather an ancient midrashic approach to finding deeper spiritual meaning in physical laws, seeking parallels between the physical and moral/spiritual realms. While the precise logic for each animal's categorization is not revealed, the overall effect was profound: a continuous, daily reminder for the Israelite to live distinctly from the nations, demonstrating their consecration to the Lord who is holy.

Deuteronomy 14 6 Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:6, echoing Leviticus 11, presents the fundamental criteria for clean, edible land animals: they must possess a truly cloven hoof and also chew the cud. This dual requirement excludes a vast array of common animals like pigs, camels, and rabbits, which either possess one characteristic but not the other, or neither. The meticulousness of these regulations reflects God's meticulousness in setting apart His chosen people. The primary purpose was not merely health (though some benefits might incidentally exist), but theological: to distinguish Israel as a holy nation dedicated to YHWH, reflecting His character and covenant faithfulness in every aspect of their lives, including their diet. By adhering to these seemingly arbitrary distinctions, the Israelites outwardly demonstrated their obedience and prevented assimilation into the idolatrous and promiscuous cultures of the surrounding nations, who often ate animals deemed unclean in association with their pagan rituals. In the New Covenant, the Mosaic food laws are fulfilled in Christ, indicating that external dietary rules no longer define spiritual purity or membership in God's people (Acts 10, Mk 7, Col 2). The spiritual principle of distinguishing between clean and unclean remains, however, transformed from physical dietary laws to discernment between sin and righteousness, truth and error (2 Cor 6:17).