Deuteronomy 14:4
Deuteronomy 14:4 in Multiple Translations
These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat,
These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
These are the beasts which ye may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
These are the beasts which you may have for food: the ox, the sheep, and the goat;
These are the animals that you are allowed to eat: cattle, sheep, goats,
These are the beastes, which ye shall eate, the beefe, the sheepe, and the goate,
'this [is] the beast which ye do eat: ox, lamb of the sheep, or kid of the goats,
These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,
These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
These are the beasts that you shall eat, the ox, and the sheep, and the goat,
The animals whose meat you are permitted to eat are cattle, sheep, goats,
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 14:4
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 14:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
זֹ֥את
הַ/בְּהֵמָ֖ה
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
תֹּאכֵ֑לוּ
שׁ֕וֹר
שֵׂ֥ה
כְשָׂבִ֖ים
וְ/שֵׂ֥ה
עִזִּֽים
זֹ֥את
zôʼth
H2063
this
Pron
הַ/בְּהֵמָ֖ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
Art | N-fs
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
תֹּאכֵ֑לוּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
שׁ֕וֹר
shôwr
H7794
cattle
N-ms
שֵׂ֥ה
seh
H7716
sheep
N-cs
כְשָׂבִ֖ים
keseb
H3775
sheep
N-mp
וְ/שֵׂ֥ה
seh
H7716
sheep
Conj | N-cs
עִזִּֽים
ʻêz
H5795
goat
N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 14:4
זֹ֥את
zôʼth
H2063
"this"
Pron
This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.
הַ/בְּהֵמָ֖ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
Art | 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.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
תֹּאכֵ֑לוּ
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.
שׁ֕וֹר
shôwr
H7794
"cattle"
N-ms
This word refers to cattle, like oxen or bulls, used for work, food, or sacrifices, as seen in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) ox, bull, a head of cattle 1a) for plowing, for food, as sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: tor (תּוֹר "bullock" H8450)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for H7791 (שׁוּר)). See also: Genesis 32:6; Deuteronomy 15:19; Psalms 69:32.
שֵׂ֥ה
seh
H7716
"sheep"
N-cs
This word refers to a sheep or goat, often used to describe a flock or young animal in the Bible. It is also related to the word for lamb.
Definition: 1) one of a flock, lamb, sheep, goat, young sheep, young goat 1a) sheep, goat 1b) flock (collective) Also means: zeh (זֶה "lamb" H2089)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep. Compare H2089 (זֶה). See also: Genesis 22:7; Deuteronomy 14:4; Psalms 119:176.
כְשָׂבִ֖ים
keseb
H3775
"sheep"
N-mp
A keseb is a young sheep, like a lamb or a young ram. It is often translated as lamb in the KJV Bible.
Definition: lamb, young ram, sheep
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: lamb. See also: Genesis 30:32; Leviticus 4:35; Deuteronomy 14:4.
וְ/שֵׂ֥ה
seh
H7716
"sheep"
Conj | N-cs
This word refers to a sheep or goat, often used to describe a flock or young animal in the Bible. It is also related to the word for lamb.
Definition: 1) one of a flock, lamb, sheep, goat, young sheep, young goat 1a) sheep, goat 1b) flock (collective) Also means: zeh (זֶה "lamb" H2089)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep. Compare H2089 (זֶה). See also: Genesis 22:7; Deuteronomy 14:4; Psalms 119:176.
עִזִּֽים
ʻêz
H5795
"goat"
N-fp
Refers to a female goat, often translated as she-goat or kid, and is also related to goat's hair in the Bible.
Definition: female goat, she-goat, goat, kid Aramaic equivalent: ez (עֵז "goat" H5796)
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (she) goat, kid. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 7:58; Proverbs 27:27.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 14:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 14:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 14:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 14:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:4
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 14:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:4
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 14:4
Context — Clean and Unclean Animals
2for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.
3You must not eat any detestable thing.
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 11:2–45 | “Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat: You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. But of those that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, you are not to eat the following: The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. The rock badger, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you. Of all the creatures that live in the water, whether in the seas or in the streams, you may eat anything with fins and scales. But the following among all the teeming life and creatures in the water are detestable to you: everything in the seas or streams that does not have fins and scales. They shall be an abomination to you; you must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses. Everything in the water that does not have fins and scales shall be detestable to you. Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the kite, any kind of falcon, any kind of raven, the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat. All flying insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you. However, you may eat the following kinds of flying insects that walk on all fours: those having jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground. Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper. All other flying insects that have four legs are detestable to you. These creatures will make you unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening. Every animal with hooves not completely divided or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you. Whoever touches any of them will be unclean. All the four-footed animals that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, and anyone who picks up a carcass must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening. They are unclean for you. The following creatures that move along the ground are unclean for you: the mole, the mouse, any kind of great lizard, the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the skink, and the chameleon. These animals are unclean for you among all the crawling creatures. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening. When one of them dies and falls on something, that article becomes unclean; any article of wood, clothing, leather, sackcloth, or any implement used for work must be rinsed with water and will remain unclean until evening; then it will be clean. If any of them falls into a clay pot, everything in it will be unclean; you must break the pot. Any food coming into contact with water from that pot will be unclean, and any drink in such a container will be unclean. Anything upon which one of their carcasses falls will be unclean. If it is an oven or cooking pot, it must be smashed; it is unclean and will remain unclean for you. Nevertheless, a spring or cistern containing water will remain clean, but one who touches a carcass in it will be unclean. If a carcass falls on any seed for sowing, the seed is clean; but if water has been put on the seed and a carcass falls on it, it is unclean for you. If an animal that you may eat dies, anyone who touches the carcass will be unclean until evening. Whoever eats from the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening, and anyone who picks up the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening. Every creature that moves along the ground is detestable; it must not be eaten. Do not eat any creature that moves along the ground, whether it crawls on its belly or walks on four or more feet; for such creatures are detestable. Do not defile yourselves by any crawling creature; do not become unclean or defiled by them. For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. |
| 2 | Acts 10:14 | “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” |
| 3 | 1 Kings 4:23 | ten fat oxen, twenty range oxen, and a hundred sheep, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened poultry. |
Deuteronomy 14:4 Summary
This verse is telling us that God gave the Israelites specific instructions about what animals they could eat, and it's not just about food, it's about being set apart as a holy people, as we see in Deuteronomy 14:2. God wants us to honor Him in all aspects of our lives, even in what we eat and drink, just like it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31. By following God's instructions, the Israelites were able to demonstrate their love and obedience to Him, and we can do the same today by seeking to honor God in our daily choices. This verse reminds us that our daily lives are an opportunity to worship and honor God, and that even the smallest decisions can be a way to show our devotion to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God give the Israelites specific instructions about what animals they could eat?
God gave these instructions to set the Israelites apart as a holy people, as stated in Deuteronomy 14:2, and to teach them about His order and design in creation, as seen in Genesis 1:24-25.
What is the significance of the animals listed in Deuteronomy 14:4?
The animals listed, such as the ox, sheep, and goat, were common livestock in ancient Israel and were considered clean and acceptable for consumption, as further explained in Deuteronomy 14:6.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of holiness in Deuteronomy?
This verse is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy that emphasizes the importance of holiness and separation, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:6 and Leviticus 20:26, where God calls His people to be distinct from the surrounding nations.
Is this verse still relevant for Christians today?
While the specific dietary laws in Deuteronomy 14:4 are not directly applicable to Christians, the underlying principle of seeking to honor God in all aspects of life, including our daily choices, is still relevant, as taught in Romans 14:13-23 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His desire for His people to be set apart?
- How can I apply the principle of seeking to honor God in my daily choices, just as the Israelites were called to do in their diet?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate my devotion to God in the mundane aspects of life, such as eating and drinking?
- How can I balance the desire for freedom in Christ with the need for self-control and discipline in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 14:4
These are the beasts which they shall eat,.... That is, which they might lawfully eat of, which were allowed for their food; for they were not obliged to eat of them if they did not choose it: the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 14:4
These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, These are the beasts which ye shall eat.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:4
Of which see Leviticus 11. The small differences between some of their names here and there are not proper for this work. The learned reader may find them cleared in my Latin Synopsis. For others, they may well enough want the knowledge of them, both because these are the smaller matters of the law, and because this distinction of clean and unclean beasts is now out of date.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:4
(4) These are the beasts which ye shall eat.—The following paragraph to the end of Deu 14:8 answers to Leviticus 11:2-8, with this difference. The beasts that are to be eaten are specified in Deuteronomy. The exceptions are given in Leviticus. The ox, the sheep, and the goat.—These being sacrificial animals, naturally stand first. “The sheep and the goat” are literally, “a young one of the sheep or of the goats.” This may serve to illustrate Exodus 12:5, “Ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats.” According to the letter of the Law in Exodus, the Passover victim might be either lamb or kid. The word sêh, used there and in Genesis 22:7-8, is not distinctive of the species. This word is rendered “lamb” in several places in our English Version.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:4
Verse 4. These are the beasts which ye shall eat] On Leviticus 11:1-47, I have entered into considerable detail relative to the clean and unclean animals there mentioned. For the general subject, the reader is referred to the notes on that chapter; but as there are particulars mentioned here which Moses does not introduce in Leviticus, it will be necessary to consider them in this place. The ox] שור shor: BOS, fifth order Pecora, of the genus MAMMALIA, species 41. This term includes all clean animals of the beeve kind; not only the ox properly so called, but also the bull, the cow, heifer, and calf. The sheep] שה seh: OVIS, fifth order Pecora, of the genus MAMMALIA, species 40; including the ram, the wether, the ewe, and the lamb. The goat] עז az: CAPRA, fifth order Pecora, of the genus MAMMALIA, species 39; including the he-goat, she-goat, and kid. The words in the text, שה כשבים seh chesabim, signify the lamb or young of sheep; and שה עזים seh izzim, the young or kid of goats: but this is a Hebrew idiom which signifies every creature of the genus, as בן אנוש ben enosh and בן אדם ben adam, son of man, signify any human being. See Psalms 144:3; Job 25:6. The flesh of these animals is universally allowed to be the most wholesome and nutritive.
They live on the very best vegetables; and having several stomachs, their food is well concocted, and the chyle formed from it the most pure because the best elaborated, as it is well refined before it enters into the blood. On ruminating or chewing the cud, See Clarke on Leviticus 11:3.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 14:4
4. These are the beasts which ye shall eat] Leviticus 11:2-23 has no list of clean beasts such as here follows. ox, sheep, goat] For the sacramental nature of the slaying and eating of domestic animals see on Deuteronomy 12:20-28. In ancient times the enjoyment of flesh by ordinary people was rare; that of the domestic animals was limited to special occasions such as the arrival of a guest, or a family festival, but kings and the rich ate it every day, and successful raids were celebrated by feasting upon the animal spoil (e.g. Judges 6:19, 1 Samuel 14:32; 1 Samuel 16:20; 1 Samuel 25:18; 1 Samuel 28:24, 2 Samuel 12:4, 1 Kings 4:23, Amos 6:4). The flesh was, as still in Syria and Arabia, usually of sheep and goats; Arabs regard the former as the more honourable for a guest. Bullocks and calves were slain much more seldom, except in great houses. So it is still with the fellaḥ ?in; while in Arabia, where pasture is scarce and the oxen are for the most part meagre and stunted, ox flesh is very rarely eaten; and its place is taken by that of the camel (see below). Ancient Arab physicians held beef to be poisonous; in parts of S. Arabia it was eaten only by the very poor; to set it even before a servant was regarded as an insult (Georg Jacob, Altarabisches Beduinenleben, 94).
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:4
4. Ox,… sheep,… goat — These seem to be named first as the ordinary domestic animals that were considered clean. Then comes the enumeration of the wild animals that could be eaten.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 14:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Fully Yielded to God by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the desperate need for salvation among people who may appear devout but are still in spiritual darkness. He uses the example of Simon Peter |
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Doing Good to Others by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power, and that he went about d |
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Jesus Is Lord by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of continuing in the word of God after experiencing a crisis of conversion. He highlights the verse "You shall know the truth |
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Spiritual Enlargement Unto the Maintaining of the Testimony of Jesus by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the theme of spiritual enlargement through the biblical account of Elisha succeeding Elijah, highlighting the importance of being filled with the Holy S |