Deuteronomy 14:6
Deuteronomy 14:6 in Multiple Translations
You may eat any animal that has a split hoof divided in two and that chews the cud.
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.
And every beast that parteth the hoof, and hath the hoof cloven in two, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that may ye eat.
Any beast which has a division in the horn of its foot and whose food comes back into its mouth to be crushed again, may be used for food.
You can eat any animal that both has a divided hoof and also chews the cud.
And euery beast that parteth ye hoofe, and cleaueth the clift into two clawes, and is of the beasts that cheweth the cudde, that shall ye eate.
and every beast dividing the hoof, and cleaving the cleft into two hoofs, bringing up the cud, among the beasts — it ye do eat.
Every animal that parts the hoof, and has the hoof split in two and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat.
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.
Every beast that divideth the hoof in two parts, and cheweth the cud, you shall eat.
Those are animals that have split hoofs and that also ◄chew their cuds/regurgitate their food from their stomachs to chew it again►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 14:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 14:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/כָל
בְּהֵמָ֞ה
מַפְרֶ֣סֶת
פַּרְסָ֗ה
וְ/שֹׁסַ֤עַת
שֶׁ֨סַע֙
שְׁתֵּ֣י
פְרָס֔וֹת
מַעֲלַ֥ת
גֵּרָ֖ה
בַּ/בְּהֵמָ֑ה
אֹתָ֖/הּ
תֹּאכֵֽלוּ
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
בְּהֵמָ֞ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
N-fs
מַפְרֶ֣סֶת
pâraç
H6536
to divide
V-Hiphil
פַּרְסָ֗ה
parçâh
H6541
hoof
N-fs
וְ/שֹׁסַ֤עַת
shâçaʻ
H8156
to cleave
Conj | V-Qal
שֶׁ֨סַע֙
sheçaʻ
H8157
cleft
N-ms
שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
פְרָס֔וֹת
parçâh
H6541
hoof
N-fp
מַעֲלַ֥ת
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Hiphil
גֵּרָ֖ה
gêrâh
H1625
cud
N-fs
בַּ/בְּהֵמָ֑ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
Prep | N-fs
אֹתָ֖/הּ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
תֹּאכֵֽלוּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 14:6
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בְּהֵמָ֞ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
מַפְרֶ֣סֶת
pâraç
H6536
"to divide"
V-Hiphil
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to break or divide something into parts, like splitting wood or distributing food. It is used in various contexts, including when God divides the Red Sea in Exodus. This word is about separating or sharing things.
Definition: 1) to divide, break in two 1a) (Qal) to break, break up 1b) (Hiphil) to be divided (of hoofs) Aramaic equivalent: pe.ras (פְּרַס "to divide" H6537A)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear. See also: Leviticus 11:3; Deuteronomy 14:6; Psalms 69:32.
פַּרְסָ֗ה
parçâh
H6541
"hoof"
N-fs
A claw or split hoof, often referring to the feet of animals like cows or horses, is described by this word. It appears in Leviticus 11, where it discusses clean and unclean animals.
Definition: 1) hoof 1a) of ruminants 1b) of horses (undivided hooves)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: claw, (cloven-) footed, hoof. See also: Exodus 10:26; Deuteronomy 14:7; Isaiah 5:28.
וְ/שֹׁסַ֤עַת
shâçaʻ
H8156
"to cleave"
Conj | V-Qal
To cleave means to split or tear something apart, and it can also mean to strongly criticize or upbraid someone, as seen in the Bible when God parts the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21.
Definition: 1) to divide, cleave, part, split 1a) (Qal) cleaving, cleft (participle) 1b) (Piel) to tear in two, cleave in two
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: cleave, (be) cloven (footed), rend, stay. See also: Leviticus 1:17; Deuteronomy 14:6; 1 Samuel 24:8.
שֶׁ֨סַע֙
sheçaʻ
H8157
"cleft"
N-ms
A cleft is a fissure or split in something, like a rock or a piece of wood, as described in the Bible in 2 Kings 2:11.
Definition: cleft, cloven, split
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: cleft, clovenfooted. See also: Leviticus 11:3; Leviticus 11:26; Deuteronomy 14:6.
שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
פְרָס֔וֹת
parçâh
H6541
"hoof"
N-fp
A claw or split hoof, often referring to the feet of animals like cows or horses, is described by this word. It appears in Leviticus 11, where it discusses clean and unclean animals.
Definition: 1) hoof 1a) of ruminants 1b) of horses (undivided hooves)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: claw, (cloven-) footed, hoof. See also: Exodus 10:26; Deuteronomy 14:7; Isaiah 5:28.
מַעֲלַ֥ת
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Hiphil
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
גֵּרָ֖ה
gêrâh
H1625
"cud"
N-fs
The cud is the food that animals like cows regurgitate and chew on, scraping their throat in the process. This word is used in the Bible to describe the eating habits of certain animals, like goats and sheep. The KJV translates it simply as 'cud'.
Definition: cud
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: cud. See also: Leviticus 11:3; Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8.
בַּ/בְּהֵמָ֑ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
Prep | N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
אֹתָ֖/הּ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
תֹּאכֵֽלוּ
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 14:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 14:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 14:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 14:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:6
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 14:6
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 14:6
Context — Clean and Unclean Animals
4These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat,
5the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep.
6You may eat any animal that has a split hoof divided in two and that chews the cud.
7But of those that chew the cud or have a completely divided hoof, you are not to eat the following: the camel, the rabbit, or the rock badger. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a divided hoof. They are unclean for you, 8as well as the pig; though it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. It is unclean for you. You must not eat its meat or touch its carcass.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 18:1 | He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. |
| 2 | 2 Corinthians 6:17 | “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” |
| 3 | Psalms 1:1–2 | Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. |
Deuteronomy 14:6 Summary
This verse, Deuteronomy 14:6, tells us which animals are okay to eat according to God's rules for the Israelites. It says we can eat animals that have a split hoof and chew their cud, like cows and sheep. This rule, as seen in the context of Deuteronomy 14:4-8 and related verses like Leviticus 11:3, helps us understand God's desire for His people to be holy and separate. By following these rules, the Israelites were reminded of God's care for them, similar to how Christians are called to honor God in all aspects of life, including how we eat and live, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for an animal to have a split hoof divided in two?
This refers to animals with hooves that are completely split into two toes, such as cows and sheep, as seen in Deuteronomy 14:4-5, which lists examples of clean animals.
Why is chewing the cud important in determining which animals are clean?
Chewing the cud is a sign of an animal being a ruminant, which in biblical times was associated with cleanliness, as also implied in Leviticus 11:3, which provides similar dietary guidelines.
Does this verse apply to Christians today?
While the specific dietary laws in Deuteronomy 14:6 were given to the Israelites, the principle of seeking God's guidance in all aspects of life, including diet, is still relevant for Christians, as encouraged in Romans 14:13-23 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of biblical dietary laws?
Deuteronomy 14:6 is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy 14:3-29 that outlines which animals are clean and unclean for the Israelites to eat, reflecting God's desire for His people to be separate and holy, as also seen in Leviticus 11 and 20:24-26.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach me about God's attention to detail in His commands, and how can I apply that to my own life?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, seek to be separate and holy in my daily choices, including those related to diet and lifestyle?
- How does understanding the biblical distinction between clean and unclean animals help me appreciate God's sovereignty and care for His people?
- What are some modern-day applications of the principle of discerning what is clean and unclean in my personal life, beyond just diet?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 14:6
Ver. 6-8. And every beast that parted the hoof,.... In this and the two following verses two general rules are given, by which it might be known what beasts were fit for food and what not; one is if
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:6
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.Ver. 6. That parteth the hoof.]
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:6
(6-8) These directions are the same given in Leviticus 11:3-8.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 14:6
6. There might also be eaten any beast with both of these marks:— that parteth the hoof, and hath the hoof cloven in two] Lit. and cleaveth a cleft of two hoofs. The hoof must be entirely cloven (see below on camel); and cheweth the cud] Heb. bringeth up the gerah, Ar. girrah, so called from either the straining or the gurgling of the process.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 14:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Importance of Friendship by David Hocking | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about his son getting stuck in an irrigation ditch and needing help to get out. From this experience, he emphasizes the importan |
|
"Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality. |
|
Deeper Waters - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the profound depth of the Gospel of John, particularly focusing on the themes of sanctification and the nature of Jesus as both divine and human. He ar |
|
Be Ye Holy for I Am Holy by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being transformed and renewed in our minds to align with God's will. He quotes from 1 Peter 1:14, urging believers to be o |
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The Christian in This World by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of attending an old-fashioned Methodist camp meeting where they were singing and praising God. He highlights the importance of gra |
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Dare to Be a Daniel by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having faith in God and relying on the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ for salvation. He encourages believers to s |
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(Genesis) Genesis 35:1-2 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and his journey back to Bethel. Jacob is called by God to return to Bethel and make an altar there. The preacher emphasiz |