Exodus 22:31 kjv

And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.

Exodus 22:31 nkjv

"And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

Exodus 22:31 niv

"You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.

Exodus 22:31 esv

"You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

Exodus 22:31 nlt

"You must be my holy people. Therefore, do not eat any animal that has been torn up and killed by wild animals. Throw it to the dogs.

Exodus 22 verses

Exodus 22 31 Meaning

This verse is a divine command emphasizing the call for Israel to be set apart, or "holy," unto God. It specifically prohibits the eating of meat from an animal torn by a wild beast, stating that such meat is to be cast to dogs instead. This regulation serves as a tangible expression of Israel's unique status and commitment to God, distinguishing them from surrounding nations through specific dietary and purity laws. It underpins the principle that God's people must reflect His own holy nature in their daily practices, demonstrating separation from all defilement.

Exodus 22 31 Context

Exodus chapter 22 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exod 20:22–23:33), which provides detailed laws and statutes immediately following the Ten Commandments. This section delineates civil, social, ethical, and ritual laws for the nascent nation of Israel. It emphasizes justice in community life, protection for vulnerable groups (strangers, widows, orphans), ethical conduct regarding property and loans, and a commitment to worship God alone. Verse 31 specifically falls within a set of commands about offerings, justice, and the prohibition of practices related to idolatry. It highlights Israel's call to be distinctive and separated unto Yahweh, reflecting His holiness in their daily lives, even down to dietary choices. Historically, these laws were given at Mount Sinai to the Israelites recently freed from Egyptian bondage, aiming to establish them as a holy people distinct from pagan cultures with their varied dietary customs and spiritual practices.

Exodus 22 31 Word analysis

• And you shall be (וְאַנְשֵׁי... תִּהְיוּן - ve'anshei... tih'yoon): The initial "And" connects this command to preceding injunctions, indicating it is part of an ongoing discourse on proper conduct. "You shall be" acts as an imperative command and a declaration of their destined identity. "Men of" specifies the recipients.
• holy (קֹדֶשׁ - qodesh): Signifies something set apart for exclusive divine use or ownership. It conveys distinction, sacredness, and purity. It's not merely moral blamelessness, but a cultic and relational separation unto Yahweh, indicating their consecration and belonging to Him.
• men (אַנְשֵׁי - anshei): "Men" or "people." It refers to the Israelites as individuals who constitute the holy nation.
• to Me (לִי - li): Emphasizes God's exclusive claim and the personal relationship between the Israelites and their divine Owner. Their holiness is for Him, a testament to His nature and their covenant.
• you shall not eat (לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ - lo to'khelu): A strong, direct prohibition, underscoring the absolute nature of the command against consuming forbidden items.
• any flesh (וּבָשָׂר - u'vasar): General term for meat, indicating the prohibition applies broadly to animal flesh.
• torn by beasts (טְרֵפָה - treifah): Literally "torn" or "torn to pieces." This refers to an animal killed by a wild predator. Such meat was considered defiled due to the manner of death—specifically, its blood not being properly drained—which was a major concern for purity and respect for life (Lev 17:11).
• in the field (בַּשָּׂדֶה - ba'sadeh): Specifies the source of the torn meat, implying it was a wild animal kill rather than one from a flock.
• you shall cast it (תַּשְׁלִכוּן אֹתֽוֹ - tashliku oto): An active command for disposal. The phrase signifies definitive removal and rejection, highlighting its unfitness for human consumption or sacred use.
• to the dogs (לַכֶּלֶב - la'kelev): In ancient Israel, dogs were largely scavengers, considered unclean and lowly animals. To throw something to dogs symbolized its utter worthlessness and defilement, underscoring its unsuitability for God's holy people.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And you shall be holy men to Me": This opening clause establishes the fundamental premise for the command that follows. Israel's identity and calling are defined by their unique separation and dedication to Yahweh. Their practices, even daily ones like eating, must align with this sacred status. This holiness is not inherent but an expected lifestyle chosen in response to God's election.
• "you shall not eat any flesh torn by beasts in the field": This sets a specific boundary. The prohibition is not merely for hygiene, though that may be an incidental benefit, but primarily for ritual purity. Consuming "treifah" meat would blur the distinction between the clean and unclean, the holy and common, which Israel was commanded to uphold as a people consecrated to God. The violent, uncontrolled death and improper drainage of blood were key factors rendering it impure for consumption by God's people.
• "you shall cast it to the dogs": This is the prescribed method of disposal for defiled meat. It reinforces the idea of total rejection and clarifies that such meat is utterly unfit for human consumption, underscoring its profanity. The dog, being an unclean scavenger, serves as a fitting recipient for that which is religiously impure for Israel.

Exodus 22 31 Bonus section

• The concept of "treifah" from this verse forms the theological bedrock for significant portions of Kashrut (Jewish dietary laws), particularly concerning the unfitness of animals due to internal injuries or defects, even if properly slaughtered. This demonstrates how ancient biblical commands led to comprehensive legal traditions.
• The demand for holiness is directly linked to God's own nature (Lev 11:44-45). Israel was to reflect their divine patron's character in all aspects of life, underscoring the intimate relationship envisioned by the covenant.
• This law, like others concerning ritual purity and dietary regulations, functioned as a visible marker, creating a distinct social and religious identity for Israel, clearly differentiating them from all other peoples who did not share this covenant with Yahweh.

Exodus 22 31 Commentary

Exodus 22:31 succinctly captures a core principle of the Mosaic covenant: the call to holiness as the defining characteristic of God's people. "Holy men to Me" establishes that Israel's identity is rooted in their consecration and separation for Yahweh's exclusive possession and purpose. This sacred relationship has practical implications for daily living, including diet. The prohibition against eating meat "torn by beasts" (treifah) goes beyond mere hygiene, speaking fundamentally to ritual purity and theological distinction. Such meat, with its blood improperly drained and its origin in violence and the wild, was considered defiled. For the Israelites to partake of it would symbolically compromise their set-apart status, making them like the defiled nations around them. Therefore, they are commanded to dispose of it as unclean, throwing it to scavenging dogs, reinforcing its utter unsuitability. While New Testament teachings declare all foods clean (Mark 7:19, Acts 10), the underlying principle of living a life separated to God, marked by purity, integrity, and discernment of what truly defiles (Rom 12:2, 2 Cor 6:17), remains central for believers today.