Deuteronomy 14:4
New International Version
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

New Living Translation
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

English Standard Version
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

Berean Standard Bible
These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat,

King James Bible
These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,

New King James Version
These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

New American Standard Bible
These are the animals that you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

NASB 1995
“These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

NASB 1977
“These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

Legacy Standard Bible
These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

Amplified Bible
These are the animals that you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

Christian Standard Bible
These are the animals you may eat: oxen, sheep, goats,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

American Standard Version
These are the beasts which ye may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,

English Revised Version
These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Here are the [kinds of] animals you may eat: oxen, sheep, goats,

Good News Translation
You may eat these animals: cattle, sheep, goats,

International Standard Version
These are the animals that you may eat: ox, sheep, goat,

Majority Standard Bible
These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat,

NET Bible
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

New Heart English Bible
These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,

Webster's Bible Translation
These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,

World English Bible
These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
this [is] the beast which you eat: ox, lamb of the sheep, or kid of the goats,

Young's Literal Translation
this is the beast which ye do eat: ox, lamb of the sheep, or kid of the goats,

Smith's Literal Translation
These the cattle which thou shalt eat: the ox, the sheep of the lambs, and the sheep of the goats,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These are the beasts that you shall eat, the ox, and the sheep, and the goat,

Catholic Public Domain Version
These are the animals which you ought to eat: the ox, and the sheep, and the goat,

New American Bible
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

New Revised Standard Version
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
These are the beasts which you shall eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this is the animal that you shall eat: the ox and the lamb and the ewe and the goat.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
These are the beasts which ye may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
These are the beasts which ye shall eat; the calf of the herd, and lamb of the sheep, and kid of the goats;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
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.…

Cross References
Leviticus 11:2-8
“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. ...

Acts 10:12-15
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. / Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” ...

Genesis 7:2
You are to take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate; a pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate;

Leviticus 20:25
You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you.

Romans 14:14
I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

1 Timothy 4:4-5
For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Genesis 9:3-4
Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things. / But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.

Mark 7:18-19
“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)

Ezekiel 4:14
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”

Isaiah 66:17
“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.

1 Corinthians 10:25-26
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, / for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

Hebrews 9:10
They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Acts 15:29
You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.


Treasury of Scripture

These are the beasts which you shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,

Leviticus 11:2-8
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth…

1 Kings 4:23
Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.

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Deuteronomy 14
1. God's children are not to disfigure themselves in mourning
3. What may and may not be eaten
4. of animals
9. of fishes
11. of fowls
21. That which dies of itself may not be eaten
22. Tithes of Divine Service
23. Tithes and firstborns to be eaten before the Lord
28. The third year's tithe of alms and charity














These are the animals that you may eat:
This phrase introduces a list of clean animals that the Israelites were permitted to consume according to the dietary laws given by God. These laws are part of the broader Mosaic Law, which was intended to set the Israelites apart as a holy people. The dietary restrictions served not only health purposes but also spiritual and cultural ones, reinforcing the distinct identity of the Israelites among the nations. The concept of clean and unclean animals is also found in Leviticus 11, where similar instructions are given. These laws highlight the importance of obedience and holiness in the life of God's people.

The ox,
The ox, or cattle, was a valuable animal in ancient Israelite society, used for plowing fields and as a source of meat and milk. It symbolizes strength and service, often used in sacrificial offerings (Leviticus 1:3). The ox is also mentioned in Proverbs 14:4, where it is associated with productivity and abundance. In a broader biblical context, the ox is one of the four living creatures described in Ezekiel 1:10 and Revelation 4:7, symbolizing aspects of God's creation.

the sheep,
Sheep were central to the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites, providing wool, milk, and meat. They are frequently mentioned in the Bible, often symbolizing God's people (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11). Sheep were also used in various sacrifices, including the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:3-5), which is a type of Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The imagery of sheep and shepherd is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating the relationship between God and His people.

the goat,
Goats were another common domesticated animal in ancient Israel, valued for their milk, meat, and hair. They were also used in sacrificial rituals, such as the sin offering (Leviticus 4:23-24) and the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:10). The goat's role in the Day of Atonement is particularly significant, as it represents the removal of sin, pointing to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. In Matthew 25:32-33, goats are used in a parable to distinguish between the righteous and the unrighteous, emphasizing the importance of living a life that aligns with God's will.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving instructions on dietary laws as part of their covenant relationship with Him.

3. Promised Land
The destination of the Israelites, where they are to live according to God's laws.

4. Mount Sinai
The place where Moses received the Law from God, which includes dietary instructions.

5. Canaan
The land where these laws would be practiced, distinguishing the Israelites from surrounding nations.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Distinction
The dietary laws were given to set the Israelites apart as a holy nation. As Christians, we are called to live distinct lives that reflect God's holiness.

Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites' adherence to dietary laws was a form of obedience. Today, we are called to obey God's commands as an expression of our love and faithfulness to Him.

Understanding Context
While the specific dietary laws are not binding on Christians, understanding their purpose helps us appreciate the continuity and fulfillment of God's law in Christ.

Spiritual Discernment
Just as the Israelites were to discern between clean and unclean, Christians are called to discern between what is spiritually beneficial and what is not.

Unity in Diversity
The New Testament teaches that dietary practices should not divide believers. We are to respect differing convictions while maintaining unity in Christ.(4) These are the beasts which ye shall eat.--The following paragraph to the end of Deuteronomy 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 seh, 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.

Verses 4-20. - The regulations here concerning food, and the animals the use of which is forbidden, are substantially the same as in Leviticus 2. There are, however, some differences between the two accounts which may be noticed.

1. In Deuteronomy, the mammals which may be used for food are severally specified as well as described by the general characteristic of the class; in Leviticus, only the latter description is given.

2. In the list of fowls which may not be eaten, the raah (glade) is mentioned in Deuteronomy, but not in Leviticus; and the bird which in the one is called da'ah, is in the other called dayyah (vulture).

3. The class of reptiles which is carefully described in Leviticus is wholly omitted in Deuteronomy. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
These
זֹ֥את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

are the animals
הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה (hab·bə·hê·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you may eat:
תֹּאכֵ֑לוּ (tō·ḵê·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

The ox,
שׁ֕וֹר (šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

the sheep,
כְשָׂבִ֖ים (ḵə·śā·ḇîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3775: A young sheep

the goat,
עִזִּֽים׃ (‘iz·zîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5795: Female goat


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 14:4 These are the animals which you may (Deut. De Du)
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