Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
DEUTERONOMY 14:21KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 14:21 mean?
Deuteronomy 14:21 instructs the Israelites not to eat animals that die naturally but allows them to give or sell such animals to foreigners living among them. The verse also commands the Israelites not to cook a young goat in its mother's milk, emphasizing their distinct status as a people set apart for God.
In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The command sets dietary boundaries that reinforce Israel’s identity as "holy" (set apart) to the LORD. The mention of giving or selling the animal to a "stranger" or "alien" shows a distinction between Israel’s religious obligations and the practices allowed for non-Israelites living among them. The final instruction about not boiling a kid in its mother’s milk is often understood as a prohibition against certain pagan rituals or as a way to show respect for life.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 14:21
- "Stranger" (גֵּר, ger): This word refers to a foreigner who lives among the Israelites but is not fully part of the community. The verse distinguishes between the dietary rules for Israelites and those for resident foreigners.
- "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh): This word means "set apart" or "dedicated." The verse uses it to remind Israel that their unique food laws are part of their special relationship with God.
- "Seethe" (בָּשַׁל, bashal): This word means "to boil" or "to cook." The instruction not to "seethe a kid in his mother's milk" is a specific and unusual command, likely aimed at separating Israelite practices from those of surrounding nations.
Why Deuteronomy 14:21 matters
- This verse clarifies that the food laws were not just about health or ritual but were tied to Israel’s identity as a people set apart for God.
- The distinction between "stranger" and "alien" shows that not everyone in Israel was held to the same religious standards, highlighting the inclusivity and boundaries of the community.
- The command about not boiling a young goat in its mother’s milk is unique to Israel and points to a deeper concern for compassion and separation from pagan customs, themes that run throughout Deuteronomy.