Deuteronomy 12:22
Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat them: the unclean and the clean shall eat of them alike.
Original Language Analysis
אַ֗ךְ
H389
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֵּ֖ן
H3651
כֵּ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
וְהַטָּה֔וֹר
and the clean
H2889
וְהַטָּה֔וֹר
and the clean
Strong's:
H2889
Word #:
11 of 13
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
Historical Context
Game animals, being wild, weren't brought for sacrifice (only domesticated animals: cattle, sheep, goats). Eating them never involved ritual. This secular category of eating applies to non-sacrificial slaughter of domestic animals when distant from sanctuary. The distinction between ritual purity for worship versus daily life allowed normal activity to continue. Later Pharisaic tradition blurred these lines, creating extensive purity regulations Jesus critiqued (Mark 7:1-23).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we maintain appropriate distinction between worship (requiring special holiness) and daily life (common grace)?
- What dangers arise when ritual requirements for worship expand to govern all daily activities?
- How does Jesus's teaching on purity (Mark 7) clarify the heart versus external distinctions?
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Analysis & Commentary
Clarification: 'Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat them: the unclean and the clean shall eat of them alike.' The comparison to game animals (roebuck/gazelle and hart/deer) clarifies that non-sacrificial meat is like hunting—ritually neutral. Leviticus 11:1-47 lists clean/unclean animals for consumption, but this verse addresses ritual cleanness/uncleanness of persons, not animals. A ritually unclean person (e.g., recently touched corpse, had emission) couldn't eat sacrificial meat (Leviticus 7:20-21) but could eat regular meat. This prevents ritual law from becoming overly burdensome while maintaining sacredness of worship.