Deuteronomy 14 7

Deuteronomy 14:7 kjv

Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.

Deuteronomy 14:7 nkjv

Nevertheless, of those that chew the cud or have cloven hooves, you shall not eat, such as these: the camel, the hare, and the rock hyrax; for they chew the cud but do not have cloven hooves; they are unclean for you.

Deuteronomy 14:7 niv

However, of those that chew the cud or that have a divided hoof you may not eat the camel, the rabbit or the hyrax. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a divided hoof; they are ceremonially unclean for you.

Deuteronomy 14:7 esv

Yet of those that chew the cud or have the hoof cloven you shall not eat these: the camel, the hare, and the rock badger, because they chew the cud but do not part the hoof, are unclean for you.

Deuteronomy 14:7 nlt

but if the animal doesn't have both, it may not be eaten. So you may not eat the camel, the hare, or the hyrax. They chew the cud but do not have split hooves, so they are ceremonially unclean for you.

Deuteronomy 14 verses

Deuteronomy 14 7 Meaning

This verse specifies certain animals prohibited for consumption, listing the camel, hare, and coney. It highlights that these animals, despite chewing the cud (a characteristic of clean animals), do not have a completely cloven and divided hoof. Because they lack this second required physical trait, they are explicitly declared "unclean" for the Israelites to eat, serving as a boundary for cultic purity and identity.

Deuteronomy 14 7 Context

Deuteronomy 14:7 is situated within a broader section of dietary laws (Deut 14:3-21), which detail clean and unclean foods. This entire chapter is part of Moses' farewell addresses to the generation poised to enter the Promised Land, reiterating and expanding upon the covenant stipulations previously given at Sinai. The context of Deuteronomy consistently emphasizes Israel's unique identity and calling as "a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth" (Deut 14:2). These dietary distinctions, therefore, served not only for purity but primarily as a visible and tangible way for Israel to remain distinct from the idolatrous practices and general ways of life of the surrounding Canaanite nations. By not eating certain animals that were common fare or even cultically significant in pagan worship, Israel's commitment to Yahweh and their identity as His set-apart people was reinforced.

Deuteronomy 14 7 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (אַךְ - 'akh): This conjunctive particle serves as an emphatic qualifier or an adversative, marking a strong distinction or exception. It sets apart the animals about to be listed, indicating that although they share one characteristic with clean animals (chewing cud), they fundamentally fail the complete criteria for purity.
• these (אֵ֣לֶּה - 'elleh): A demonstrative pronoun, directly pointing to and specifying the animals that follow, emphasizing the explicit nature of the prohibition.
• ye shall not eat (לֹ֤א תֹאכְלֽוּ - lo' to'kh'lu): A direct and unconditional divine prohibition. The use of lo' (no, not) signifies a categorical rejection, indicating that consumption of these animals would render the Israelite ritually unclean and in violation of God's covenant commands.
• of them that chew the cud (מִֽמַּעֲלֵ֤ה גֵרָה - mi-ma'aleh gerah): Lit. "from the bringer up of the cud." Gerah (גֵּרָה) is the "cud." This describes a ruminant animal which re-ingests and re-chews partially digested food. In ancient understanding, animals like the hare or coney exhibited similar observed chewing patterns, despite not being true ruminants in a modern zoological sense.
• or of them that divide the cloven hoof (וּמִמַּפְרִ֥ס אֶת־הַפַּרְסָ֖ה וְשֹׁסַֽעַת - u-mi-mafris et-haparsah weshosa'at): Lit. "and from that which parts the hoof and divides (it)." This refers to an animal whose hoof is completely split, top to bottom, into two distinct parts. This specific description is crucial; a partial division or merely being "split" was insufficient. The full "cloven" and "divided" characteristic was required.
• as the camel (הַגָּמָ֗ל - ha-gamal): The camel (גָּמָל - gamal). Though it chews the cud, its foot is padded and cushioned, not a true cloven hoof, leading to its prohibition.
• and the hare (וְהָאַרְנֶ֙בֶת֙ - wĕha-'arneveth): The hare (אַרְנֶבֶת - 'arneveth). From an ancient observation standpoint, it appeared to chew cud (through re-ingestion of pellets or constant jaw motion), but it conspicuously lacks cloven hooves.
• and the coney (וְהַשָּׁפָן - wĕha-shafan): The coney or rock badger (שָּׁפָן - shafan, Hyrax or Dassie). Like the hare, it seems to chew its food extensively but does not have a cloven hoof.
• for they chew the cud (כִּי־מַעֲלֵ֣ה גֵרָה הֵ֔מָּה - ki-ma'aleh gerah hemma): "For they are bringers up of cud." This part specifies the common observable trait these animals possess. Ki (כִּי) introduces the explanation or reason.
• but divide not the hoof (וּפַרְסָה לֹ֥א פָרַ֖סוּ - u-parsah lo parasu): Lit. "and hoof they did not divide." This states the definitive lack of the other required characteristic. The absence of the fully split hoof is the deciding factor in their uncleanness.
• therefore they are unclean unto you (טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵם֙ לָכֶֽם - ṭəmē'im hem lakhem): A definitive legal declaration. Ṭāmē' (טָמֵא) means ritually impure. The phrase "unto you" (lakhem) stresses that this declaration of impurity is specifically for the covenant community of Israel, in their relationship with the Holy God.

Words-group analysis:

• "chew the cud... divide the cloven hoof" vs. "chew the cud, but divide not the hoof": This highlights a fundamental principle of the purity laws: a dual criterion. For an animal to be considered clean, both characteristics must be present. A partial fulfillment, possessing one characteristic but lacking the other, is insufficient and renders the animal unclean. This underscores the precise nature of God's commands and the importance of full obedience.
• "unclean unto you": This phrasing clarifies that the uncleanness is a cultic and covenantal status within the Israelite community, not an inherent moral or hygienic defilement of the animals themselves. Its purpose was to define Israel's set-apart status before God, differentiating them from other nations whose eating practices often involved such animals.

Deuteronomy 14 7 Bonus section

• Observational Basis vs. Zoological Definition: The biblical classification of these animals is based on ancient Israelite observation, which might differ from modern zoological classifications. For example, hares and conies engage in "cecotrophy" or refection (re-ingestion of soft fecal pellets for further nutrient extraction), which an ancient observer could easily mistake for "chewing the cud" given the repetitive mouth movements. The definitive point, however, is the lack of the cloven hoof, making them unclean. This underscores that God's law provides the ultimate categories for purity, not human scientific labels.
• A "Hedge" Against Paganism: The prohibitions, particularly on certain animals, served as a "hedge" or barrier that prevented the Israelites from easily assimilating with pagan cultures. Many pagan festivals involved consuming animals deemed unclean by Mosaic law. This made shared communal meals—a cornerstone of social integration in ancient societies—difficult or impossible, thereby reinforcing Israel's separate identity and discouraging participation in idolatrous practices.
• Symbolic Discernment: The requirement of two distinct characteristics (cud-chewing and cloven hoof) teaches meticulous discernment. It highlights that God's standards are clear and specific, demanding more than a superficial conformity. In spiritual application, it calls believers to avoid anything that looks godly but is not completely aligned with God's word and character, reinforcing the need for both inward reflection and outward walk of separation.

Deuteronomy 14 7 Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:7 is a crucial clarification within the Mosaic dietary laws, specifying that certain animals like the camel, hare, and coney are forbidden not because they lack all characteristics of clean animals, but because they possess one (chewing the cud) while definitively lacking the other required one (a completely cloven and divided hoof). This principle illustrates the precise and non-negotiable nature of God's commands for His covenant people.

Beyond mere dietary rules, these laws were foundational for shaping Israel's identity and commitment to holiness. They reinforced Israel's separation as "a people holy to the LORD your God" (Deut 14:2). In a world where food consumption often carried religious significance, adhering to these unique dietary distinctions visibly marked Israel as different from the pagan nations around them, whose worship sometimes involved forbidden animals. The laws instilled a pervasive sense of discernment, training the people to differentiate between the clean and unclean, not just in food, but in all areas of life, aiming for internal holiness reflective of the external observances.

While the literal application of these food laws has changed under the New Covenant (Mk 7:19, Acts 10:15, Col 2:16-17), the underlying spiritual principles remain profound. The requirement of dual characteristics (cud-chewing and cloven hoof) can be allegorically seen as a metaphor for spiritual completeness. Chewing the cud is sometimes linked to thorough meditation on God's Word (Psa 1:2), truly digesting and assimilating its truth. The cloven hoof, touching the ground yet distinct, symbolizes a life walked in separation from worldly impurity (2 Cor 6:17). Animals like those in Deut 14:7, that might exhibit outward religious activity (chewing cud) but lack true distinction in their "walk" or behavior (not cloven hoof), serve as a timeless reminder that superficial appearances are not enough for true purity before God. Believers are called to discern thoroughly, to embrace full obedience, and to live a life genuinely set apart by grace, not just in part, but in every aspect.