Deuteronomy 14:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 14:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 14:6 explains that the Israelites were allowed to eat animals that both have split hooves and chew the cud. This verse sets out a specific rule for which land animals were considered clean and suitable for food under Israel’s law.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land. The verse is part of a larger section where Moses lists dietary laws, helping the people distinguish between animals they could eat and those they could not. The focus is on clear, observable features—split hooves and chewing the cud—to guide everyday choices about food.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 14:6

• בְּהֵמָה (bəhēmāh, "beast"): This word refers broadly to domesticated animals or livestock, not just wild animals. The law is about animals commonly encountered in daily life.
• פָּרַס (pāras, "parteth"): This verb means to split or divide, describing the physical characteristic of the hoof. It emphasizes a visible, easy-to-identify trait.
• פַּרְסָה (parsāh, "hoof/claws"): The same Hebrew word is used for both "hoof" and "claws" in this verse, showing that the law is concerned with the shape and structure of the animal’s foot.
• עָלָה (ʿālāh, "cheweth"): This verb literally means "to go up," but here it refers to the process of bringing up and re-chewing food—what we call "chewing the cud." This is a trait of certain animals like cows and sheep.

Why Deuteronomy 14:6 matters

• Deuteronomy 14:6 clarifies that not every animal with just one of these traits (split hoof or chewing the cud) was allowed; both were required, which helps explain why some animals were excluded in later verses.
• The verse shows how Israel’s dietary laws were based on clear, physical signs, making it practical for ordinary people to follow without needing expert knowledge.
• This rule connects to the broader theme in Deuteronomy of Israel being set apart as a distinct people, even in everyday habits like eating.