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 14:7KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“hare” Hebrew H768 · used in 2 verses

  • Leviticus 11:6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

“cloven” Hebrew H8156 · used in 8 verses

  • Leviticus 1:17 And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 11:7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
  • Deuteronomy 14:6 And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.

“cud” Hebrew H1625 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
  • Leviticus 11:5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
  • Leviticus 11:26 The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.

“divide” Hebrew H6536 · used in 12 verses

  • Leviticus 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
  • Leviticus 11:6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
  • Deuteronomy 14:8 And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.