Deuteronomy 14:7 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 14:7 mean?

Deuteronomy 14:7 lists certain animals that the Israelites were not allowed to eat, even though these animals chew the cud or have a divided hoof, but not both. The verse specifically names the camel, hare, and coney as examples of animals that are considered unclean for food because they do not meet both requirements.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, giving them detailed instructions about which animals are considered clean or unclean according to God's law. The focus is on dietary rules that set Israel apart from other nations, emphasizing careful obedience to God's commands in everyday life.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 14:7

• The word "eat" (אָכַל, 'akal) refers to consuming food, highlighting that the restriction is about dietary practice, not just contact.
• "Chew" (עָלָה, 'alah) and "cud" (גֵּרָה, gerah) together describe the process of ruminating, which is a key sign of a clean animal in this context.
• "Divide" (פָּרַס, paras) and "hoof" (פַּרְסָה, parsah), with "cloven" (שָׁסַע, shasa), refer to the physical characteristic of the animal's foot. Only animals that both chew the cud and have a split hoof are considered clean.
• "Unclean" (טָמֵא, tame) means ritually impure, not just physically dirty, marking these animals as forbidden for Israelite consumption.

Why Deuteronomy 14:7 matters

• This verse clarifies that not all animals with one qualifying feature are permitted; both chewing the cud and having a split hoof are required for an animal to be considered clean.
• The specific mention of animals like the camel, hare, and coney helps prevent confusion about which creatures are included, showing that the rules are not arbitrary but carefully defined.
• Deuteronomy 14:7 fits into a larger section about dietary laws, which were meant to shape Israel's identity and daily life, distinguishing them from surrounding peoples.