In biblical literature, the term "hoof" refers to the hard, protective covering on the feet of certain animals, particularly those considered clean or unclean according to Mosaic Law. The concept of the hoof is significant in the context of dietary laws and sacrificial practices outlined in the Old Testament.

Clean and Unclean Animals

The distinction between clean and unclean animals is primarily based on the characteristics of their hooves and their chewing habits. Leviticus 11:3-4 states, "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 have a split hoof, you are not to eat them." This passage highlights the importance of the hoof in determining the dietary laws for the Israelites. Animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats, which have split hooves and chew the cud, are considered clean and permissible for consumption.

Conversely, animals that do not meet both criteria are deemed unclean. For example, the camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof and is therefore unclean (Leviticus 11:4). Similarly, the pig, which has a split hoof but does not chew the cud, is also considered unclean (Leviticus 11:7).

Symbolism and Sacrificial Practices

The hoof also plays a role in the symbolism of sacrificial practices. Clean animals, those with split hooves and that chew the cud, were often used in sacrifices to God. These animals symbolized purity and obedience to God's commandments. The requirement for animals to have split hooves and chew the cud can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual discernment and meditation on God's Word.

Prophetic Imagery

In prophetic literature, the imagery of hooves is sometimes used to convey strength and power. For instance, in the book of Micah, the Lord promises to make the hooves of His people like bronze, signifying strength and victory over their enemies: "Arise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron and hooves of bronze, that you may pulverize many peoples" (Micah 4:13).

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not focus extensively on the concept of hooves, the dietary laws of the Old Testament, including those concerning hooves, are addressed in the context of the new covenant. In Acts 10:15 , Peter receives a vision in which he is told, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This vision signifies the abolition of the old dietary restrictions and the inclusion of Gentiles into the faith, emphasizing the spiritual rather than the ceremonial aspects of purity.

In summary, the hoof serves as a significant marker in the Old Testament for distinguishing between clean and unclean animals, reflecting broader themes of purity, obedience, and spiritual discernment. Its symbolic use in prophetic literature underscores the strength and victory promised to God's people.A cleft hoof as of neat cattle (Exodus 10:26; Ezek. 32:13); hence also of the horse, though not cloven (Isaiah 5:28). The "parting of the hoof" is one of the distinctions between clean and unclean animals (Leviticus 11:3; Deuteronomy 14:7). 1. (n.) The horny substance or case that covers or terminates the feet of certain animals, as horses, oxen, etc.

2. (n.) A hoofed animal; a beast.

3. (n.) See Ungula.

4. (v. i.) To walk as cattle.

5. (v. i.) To be on a tramp; to foot.

HOOF

hoof.

See CHEW; CLOVEN.

6541. parsah -- a hoof
... 6540, 6541. parsah. 6542 . a hoof. Transliteration: parsah Phonetic Spelling:
(par-saw') Short Definition: hoof. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/6541.htm - 6k

8157. shesa -- cleft
... cleft. Transliteration: shesa Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-sah) Short Definition: hoof.
Word Origin from shasa Definition cleft NASB Word Usage hoof (1). ...
/hebrew/8157.htm - 6k

5483. cuwc -- a swallow, swift (type of bird)
... cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as
leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof ...
/hebrew/5483.htm - 5k

7272. regel -- foot
... follow (2), followed (2), following (1), foot (60), footstep* (1), footsteps (1),
footstool* (6), four-footed* (1), haunt (1), heels (1), hoof* (1), journey (1 ...
/hebrew/7272.htm - 6k

6499. par -- young bull, steer
... Or par {pawr}; from parar; a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength,
or perhaps as dividing the hoof) -- (+ young) bull(-ock), calf, ox. ...
/hebrew/6499.htm - 6k

2953. tephar -- a nail, claw
... nail. (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to tsaphar, and meaning the same as tsipporen;
a finger-nail; also a hoof or claw -- nail. see HEBREW tsaphar. ...
/hebrew/2953.htm - 6k

6119. aqeb -- heel, footprint, hind part
... Or (feminine) hiqqbah {ik-keb-aw'}; from aqab; a heel (as protuberant); hence, a
track; figuratively, the rear (of an army) -- heel, (horse-)hoof, last, lier ...
/hebrew/6119.htm - 6k

3709. kaph -- hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot) ...
... 1), earnings* (1), footstep* (1), give pledges* (1), grasp (2), hand (46), handful*
(1), handles (1), hands (69), hands* (1), hollow (1), hoof* (1), palm (8 ...
/hebrew/3709.htm - 6k

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which we Receive Prepare us for ...
... figuratively predicted all these, delineating man by the [various] animals: [4502]
whatsoever of these, says [the Scripture], have a double hoof and ruminate ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter viii the gifts of the.htm

The Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Animals in the Law ...
... For such of the sacrifices as part the hoof, and ruminate, the Scripture represents
as clean and acceptable to God; since the just obtain access to the Father ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviiithe distinction between clean.htm

Argument. --And Thus Unclean Animals are not to be Reproached ...
... clean. The creatures that are clean, it says, both chew the cud and divide
the hoof; the unclean do neither, or only one of the two. ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter iii argument and thus unclean.htm

Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ...
... Hence they were forbidden to eat the flesh of flat-footed animals, ie animals having
an uncloven hoof, on account of their earthiness; and in like manner they ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm

Full Redemption
... REV. CH SPURGEON. At Exeter Hall, Strand. "There shall not a hoof be left
behind.""Exodus 10:26. ... "Not a hoof shall be left behind.". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/full redemption.htm

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

The Use of the Symbolic Style by Poets and Philosophers.
... Again, he commands to eat that which parts the hoof and ruminates; "intimating,"
says Barnabas, "that we ought to cleave to those who fear the Lord, and ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter viii the use of the.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... With the righteous, He says again, speaking figuratively; for everything "which
parts the hoof and chews the cud is clean." For the parting of the hoof ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

The Origin and Growth of Law.
... Now these are the Laws of the Jungle, and many and mighty are they; But the head
and the hoof of the Law and the haunch and the bump is "Obey!" "Kipling. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study ix the origin and.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... other to be disused. Of land animals, only such as both chew the end and
divide the hoof, might then be eaten. And of aquatic, only ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

Hoof (11 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A cleft hoof as of neat cattle (Exodus 10:26; Ezek.
32:13); hence also of the horse, though not cloven (Isaiah 5:28). ...HOOF. hoof. ...
/h/hoof.htm - 11k

Cud (9 Occurrences)
... Many theories have been advanced as to the reasons for the distinctions
with regard to the chewing of the cud and the cloven hoof. ...
/c/cud.htm - 11k

Dividing (23 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:3 any dividing a hoof, and cleaving the cleft of the hoofs,
bringing up the cud, among the beasts, it ye do eat. (YLT). ...
/d/dividing.htm - 13k

Parteth (9 Occurrences)
... Parteth (9 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is
cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. ...
/p/parteth.htm - 8k

Cheweth (8 Occurrences)
... Cheweth (8 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is
cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. ...
/c/cheweth.htm - 8k

Cloven (12 Occurrences)
... klo'-v'-n: In the Old Testament, represented by a participle from shaca, "to split,"
and applied to beasts that divide the hoof (Leviticus 11:3 Deuteronomy 14:7 ...
/c/cloven.htm - 11k

Chew (5 Occurrences)
... Many theories have been advanced as to the reasons for the distinctions
with regard to the chewing of the cud and the cloven hoof. ...
/c/chew.htm - 9k

Chews (6 Occurrences)
... Chews (6 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed,
and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/chews.htm - 8k

Divideth (20 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or
of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but ...
/d/divideth.htm - 12k

Split (36 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:4 "'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud,
or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he chews the cud but doesn ...
/s/split.htm - 19k

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