Deuteronomy 14:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it [is] unclean unto you.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But whatever lacks fins and scales you are not to eat; it is unclean for you.

Berean Standard Bible:

but you may not eat anything that does not have fins and scales; it is unclean for you.

American Standard Version:

and whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye shall not eat; it is unclean unto you.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And whatsoever hath not fins^{H5579} and scales^{H7193} ye may not eat^{H398}; it is unclean^{H2931} unto you.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 14:10

Deuteronomy 14:10 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that outlines dietary laws for the Israelites. The verse specifically addresses the consumption of sea creatures, stating that only those with fins and scales are permissible to eat, while those without are considered unclean.

**Themes:**
1. **Ritual Purity and Holiness:** The dietary laws in Deuteronomy are part of the broader theme of maintaining ritual purity and holiness before God. By adhering to these laws, the Israelites were set apart from other nations and reminded of their special covenant relationship with God.
2. **Obedience to Divine Command:** This verse reflects the importance of obedience to God's commands, a central theme in Deuteronomy. The Israelites are called to obey these dietary laws as a sign of their loyalty and devotion to God.
3. **Identity and Separation:** The dietary restrictions served to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding peoples, reinforcing their unique identity as God's chosen people.

**Historical Context:**
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Pentateuch, traditionally attributed to Moses, and is presented as a series of speeches he gave to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. The book is set during the last days of Moses' life and is a restatement of the law given at Mount Sinai, with additional commentary and application for the new generation about to enter Canaan.

The dietary laws in Deuteronomy 14 would have served practical purposes, such as promoting health and preventing the Israelites from adopting the religious practices of the Canaanites, which often involved eating certain animals as part of pagan rituals. These laws also had symbolic significance, with the distinction between clean and unclean animals mirroring the distinction between Israel and the nations.

In the historical context, these laws were part of the legal and moral framework that God established for the nation of Israel, which included civil, ceremonial, and moral components. The dietary laws, including the prohibition in Deuteronomy 14:10, were part of the ceremonial laws that were particularly relevant to the religious life of ancient Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5579
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סְנַפִּיר
   Transliteration: çᵉnappîyr
   Pronunciation: sen-ap-peer'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; a fin (collectively); fins.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7193
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת
   Transliteration: qasqeseth
   Pronunciation: kas-keh'-seth
   Description: by reduplication from an unused root meaning to shale off as bark; a scale (of a fish); hence a coat of mail (as composed of or covered with jointed plates of metal); mail, scale.
   
3. Strong's Number: H398
   There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָכַל
   Transliteration: ʼâkal
   Pronunciation: aw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2931
   There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טָמֵא
   Transliteration: ṭâmêʼ
   Pronunciation: taw-may'
   Description: from טָמֵא; foul in a religious sense; defiled, [phrase] infamous, polluted(-tion), unclean.