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.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בַּבְּהֵמָ֑ה
And every beast
H929
בַּבְּהֵמָ֑ה
And every beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
מַפְרֶ֣סֶת
that parteth
H6536
מַפְרֶ֣סֶת
that parteth
Strong's:
H6536
Word #:
3 of 13
to break in pieces, i.e., (usually without violence) to split, distribute
מַֽעֲלַ֥ת
and cheweth
H5927
מַֽעֲלַ֥ת
and cheweth
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
9 of 13
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בַּבְּהֵמָ֑ה
And every beast
H929
בַּבְּהֵמָ֑ה
And every beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
Historical Context
This classification system distinguished Israel from surrounding peoples who ate pork, horses, camels, and other animals forbidden under kosher law. These dietary differences created visible, daily markers of Israel's distinct covenant identity.
Modern science notes that some forbidden animals carried higher disease risk in ancient conditions without refrigeration, though the primary purpose was ceremonial and symbolic rather than health-related.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual principles do the two requirements (split hoof and chewing cud) illustrate?
- How does this dual criterion teach that external behavior and internal character must align?
- What New Testament principles about genuine faith parallel this Old Testament illustration?
- Why is it important that God's laws were clear and practically observable?
- How did dietary distinctions reinforce Israel's separate covenant identity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. God provides the classification principle - clean animals must have both split hooves and chew the cud. Both criteria must be met; possessing only one is insufficient.
The dual requirement teaches that external and internal characteristics both matter for ceremonial cleanness. Split hooves represent outward walk; chewing the cud represents inward digestion and meditation. Spiritually, this pictures that true holiness involves both external conduct and internal character.
Reformed theology sees here a principle applicable to Christian life - genuine faith manifests in both doctrine (internal truth) and practice (external behavior). Neither alone suffices; both must characterize the believer.
These physical characteristics served as simple, observable criteria enabling Israelites to quickly determine which wild animals they could eat when hunting or traveling. God's law was practical and clear, not requiring specialized knowledge to apply.