The term "clovenfooted" refers to animals that have hooves split into two distinct parts. This characteristic is significant in the dietary laws outlined in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of distinguishing between clean and unclean animals for consumption by the Israelites.

Biblical References:

The primary biblical reference to clovenfooted animals is found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, where God provides Moses and the Israelites with dietary laws. These laws specify which animals are permissible to eat and which are not, based on certain physical characteristics.

In Leviticus 11:3 , it is stated: "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud." This verse establishes the criteria for clean land animals: they must both chew the cud and have cloven hooves. The distinction of clovenfooted animals is reiterated in Deuteronomy 14:6 : "You may eat any animal that has hooves divided in two and that chews the cud."

Significance in Dietary Laws:

The cloven hoof is a key feature in identifying clean animals, which are permissible for consumption under Mosaic Law. Animals that possess only one of the two characteristics—either chewing the cud or having a cloven hoof—are deemed unclean. For example, the camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a cloven hoof and is therefore considered unclean (Leviticus 11:4).

The dietary laws served multiple purposes, including health, hygiene, and the setting apart of the Israelites as a distinct people dedicated to God. By adhering to these laws, the Israelites demonstrated obedience and maintained a lifestyle that symbolized their covenant relationship with God.

Symbolic and Spiritual Interpretations:

Beyond the literal interpretation, some theologians and biblical scholars suggest that the cloven hoof may symbolize discernment and separation, reflecting the need for believers to distinguish between holy and unholy, clean and unclean, in their spiritual lives. The physical separation of the hoof can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual separation required of God's people.

New Testament Context:

In the New Testament, the dietary laws, including those concerning clovenfooted animals, are revisited. Jesus declared all foods clean in Mark 7:18-19 , emphasizing the importance of inner purity over external observance. Additionally, in Acts 10:15 , Peter receives a vision in which he is told, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean," signifying the abolition of the Old Testament dietary restrictions for Christians.

While the specific laws regarding clovenfooted animals are no longer binding for Christians, they remain an important part of biblical history and theology, illustrating principles of obedience, holiness, and the distinctiveness of God's people.8157. shesa -- cleft
... Word Origin from shasa Definition cleft NASB Word Usage hoof (1). cleft,
cloven-footed. From shaca'; a fissure -- cleft, clovenfooted. see HEBREW shaca'. ...
/hebrew/8157.htm - 6k

The Clean and the Unclean
... Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud,
among the beasts, that shall ye eat.""Leviticus 11:2, 3. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the clean and the unclean.htm

Clovenfooted (3 Occurrences)
...Clovenfooted (3 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is
clovenfooted, 'and' cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that may ye eat. (ASV). ...
/c/clovenfooted.htm - 7k

Parteth (9 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV). Leviticus 11:7 And the swine, because he parteth the hoof, and is
clovenfooted, but cheweth not the cud, he is unclean unto you. (See JPS ASV). ...
/p/parteth.htm - 8k

Cloven (12 Occurrences)

/c/cloven.htm - 11k

Wholly (67 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth
the cud, among the beasts, that may ye eat. (See JPS). ...
/w/wholly.htm - 26k

Cloven-footed (3 Occurrences)
Cloven-footed. Clovenfooted, Cloven-footed. Club . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(WEB KJV WBS YLT RSV). Clovenfooted, Cloven-footed. Club . Reference Bible
/c/cloven-footed.htm - 7k

Swine (15 Occurrences)
... swine is mentioned in Leviticus 11:7 and Deuteronomy 14:8 as an unclean animal:
"And the swine, because he parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, but cheweth ...
/s/swine.htm - 15k

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