Deuteronomy 14:1-21
Summary for Deut 14:1-21: 14:1-21 a See thematic note for Clean, Unclean, and Holy at end of chapter. 14:1 b cut yourselves: This pagan custom was usually associated with mourning rites, perhaps to induce the dead to come back to life (see 1 Kgs 18:28 c; Zech 13:4-6 d).• shave the hair: This practice also pertained to lament for the dead (see Lev 19:27-28 e; 21:5-6 f), but the exact meaning of this rite is unknown.
14:2 g The fundamental Hebrew meaning of holy focuses on separation of a person or thing for a particular function or use. A derivative meaning is “pure” or “morally and spiritually upright.”
14:6 h split hooves and chews the cud: These criteria distinguished edible animals listed in 14:4-5 i from those listed in 14:7-8 j. Although the people experienced health benefits from observing these restrictions, a thing was actually clean or unclean only because God declared it to be such.
14:7 k The hyrax is a rabbit-sized, hoofed mammal.
14:8 l The instruction not to touch their carcasses was primarily to maintain ritual purity.
Summary for Deut 14:11-18: 14:11-18 m These animals are grouped as flying animals that eat rotting flesh.
Summary for Deut 14:19-20: 14:19-20 n winged insects: Cp. Lev 11:20-23 o.
14:21 p Animals that had died a natural death were considered unclean (even if considered clean while living) because they had not been slaughtered according to ritual protocol and their blood had not been properly drained and disposed of (see 12:23-25 q).
• You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk: A common explanation for why this pagan practice was improper is that it displayed insensitivity to the natural feelings of affection and trust between mothers and their offspring (see 28:56-57 r).
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