Topical Bible: The Roe: Clean and Fit for Food

◄ The Roe: Clean and Fit for Food ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The roe, often identified as a type of deer, is mentioned in the Bible as a clean animal, permissible for consumption according to Mosaic dietary laws. The Hebrew word "tsvi" is commonly translated as "roe" or "gazelle," and it is frequently associated with grace and swiftness in biblical literature.

Biblical References and Description

The roe is referenced in several passages throughout the Old Testament, highlighting its significance in the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel. In Deuteronomy 14:5, the roe is listed among the animals that are clean and fit for consumption: "the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep." This inclusion underscores the roe's status as an acceptable source of nourishment for the Israelites.

The roe is also noted for its beauty and agility, often used metaphorically to describe desirable qualities. In the Song of Solomon 2:9, the beloved is compared to a roe: "My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice." This imagery conveys a sense of elegance and vitality, attributes that were admired and cherished.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the roe was not only valued for its meat but also for its symbolic representation of swiftness and grace. The animal's ability to navigate rugged terrain with ease made it a fitting metaphor for agility and freedom. Proverbs 6:5 advises, "Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler," using the roe's quickness to illustrate the urgency of escaping danger.

The roe's presence in biblical texts also reflects the broader relationship between humans and animals in the ancient world. As a clean animal, the roe was part of the divinely ordained dietary system that distinguished the Israelites from surrounding nations. This system emphasized purity and obedience to God's commandments, reinforcing the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Dietary Laws and Theological Implications

The classification of the roe as a clean animal is rooted in the dietary laws given to the Israelites, which are detailed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These laws served not only as health guidelines but also as a means of spiritual discipline, teaching the Israelites to discern between the holy and the common. By adhering to these dietary restrictions, the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to living according to God's will.

Theologically, the inclusion of the roe among clean animals highlights the Creator's provision for His people. It reflects the abundance and variety of God's creation, offering sustenance and delight. The dietary laws, including the permission to eat the roe, were part of a broader framework that guided the Israelites in their daily lives, shaping their identity as a people set apart for God's purposes.

Conclusion

The roe, as depicted in the Bible, is more than just a source of food; it is a symbol of grace, beauty, and divine provision. Its status as a clean animal underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the blessings that come from living in accordance with His design. Through the lens of Scripture, the roe serves as a reminder of the Creator's care and the richness of His creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 12:15
Notwithstanding you may kill and eat flesh in all your gates, whatever your soul lusts after, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which he has given you: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 14:5
The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Redeemer's Prayer
... will," for he saith, "I will, be thou clean;" but in ... our beloved withdraws himself
from us; like a roe or a ... how well the tiara of the universe doth fit his brow ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the redeemers prayer.htm