Deuteronomy 14:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נְ֠בֵלָה
of any thing that dieth of itself
H5038
נְ֠בֵלָה
of any thing that dieth of itself
Strong's:
H5038
Word #:
4 of 23
a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol
לַגֵּ֨ר
it unto the stranger
H1616
לַגֵּ֨ר
it unto the stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּתְּנֶ֣נָּה
thou shalt give
H5414
תִּתְּנֶ֣נָּה
thou shalt give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
א֤וֹ
H176
א֤וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
10 of 23
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
מָכֹר֙
it or thou mayest sell
H4376
מָכֹר֙
it or thou mayest sell
Strong's:
H4376
Word #:
11 of 23
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
לְנָכְרִ֔י
it unto an alien
H5237
לְנָכְרִ֔י
it unto an alien
Strong's:
H5237
Word #:
12 of 23
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַ֤ם
people
H5971
עַ֤ם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
14 of 23
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
קָדוֹשׁ֙
for thou art an holy
H6918
קָדוֹשׁ֙
for thou art an holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
15 of 23
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל
Thou shalt not seethe
H1310
תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל
Thou shalt not seethe
Strong's:
H1310
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
Cross References
Exodus 23:19The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.Exodus 34:26The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.Deuteronomy 14:2For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.Leviticus 17:15And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.Leviticus 22:8That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I am the LORD.Ezekiel 4:14Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.
Historical Context
Canaanite religions used dead animals in necromantic rituals (consulting the dead). By prohibiting consumption of carrion, God separated Israel from pagan death-worship and reinforced life's sanctity—only blood intentionally shed in sacrifice honors God.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'dead things' (past failures, old identities) are you tempted to 'consume' rather than leaving behind?
- How does allowing strangers to eat what Israelites couldn't demonstrate the privilege of covenant calling?
- In what ways did Christ 'consume' your death (take your carcass status) to give you His life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself (נְבֵלָה, nevelah, carcass)—Animals dying naturally often die from disease, making their meat hygienically dangerous. But the primary concern is theological: Israel must not profit from death. They serve the living God (Joshua 3:10), consuming only what's actively slaughtered (life deliberately given), never passively found (death happened upon).
Thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates—The resident alien (גֵּר, ger) wasn't bound by full covenant law. This verse shows God's law as gracious privilege, not oppressive burden—Israel's holiness elevated them for service, not superiority. Christ fulfilled this: becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13), taking our 'carcass' status to give us life.