Deuteronomy 14:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

These [are] the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,

Complete Jewish Bible:

The animals which you may eat are: ox, sheep, goat,

Berean Standard Bible:

These are the animals that 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,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

These are the beasts^{H929} which ye shall eat^{H398}: the ox^{H7794}, the sheep^{{H7716}{H3775}}, and the goat^{H5795},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 14:4

Deuteronomy 14:4 is part of a section in the book of Deuteronomy that outlines dietary laws for the Israelites. The verse specifically lists animals that are considered clean and thus permissible for the Israelites to eat: oxen (cattle), sheep, and goats. These animals are cloven-hoofed and chew the cud, which are the criteria for clean animals according to the dietary laws given in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

**Themes:**
1. **Holiness and Purity:** The dietary laws emphasize the theme of holiness, setting the Israelites apart from other nations and reminding them of their distinct identity as God's chosen people.
2. **Obedience:** Following these dietary regulations is an act of obedience to God's commandments, reinforcing the importance of loyalty to God's laws.
3. **Health and Well-being:** Some scholars suggest that these dietary laws may have had health benefits, as they avoided certain diseases associated with the consumption of animals that were not fit for eating.

**Historical Context:**
- **Mosaic Law:** Deuteronomy is part of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), traditionally attributed to Moses. It contains his speeches to the Israelites as they are about to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt and years of wandering in the wilderness.
- **Preparation for the Promised Land:** As the Israelites were transitioning from a nomadic to a sedentary agricultural lifestyle in Canaan, these laws would have helped them establish a society that was distinct in its practices and worship.
- **Cultural Distinction:** The dietary laws served to distinguish the Israelites from their pagan neighbors, whose religious practices included eating certain animals that the Israelites were forbidden to consume.

In summary, Deuteronomy 14:4 reflects the broader themes of holiness, obedience, and cultural distinction within the context of Mosaic Law, as the Israelites were about to establish themselves in the Promised Land.

*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: H929
   There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּהֵמָה
   Transliteration: bᵉhêmâh
   Pronunciation: be-hay-maw'
   Description: from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective); beast, cattle.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7794
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוֹר
   Transliteration: shôwr
   Pronunciation: shore
   Description: from שׁוּר; a bullock (as a traveller); bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for שׁוּר).
   
4. Strong's Number: H7716
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׂה
   Transliteration: seh
   Pronunciation: seh
   Description: or שֵׂי; probably from שָׁאָה through the idea of pushing out to graze; a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat; (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep. Compare זֶה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3775
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֶּשֶׂב
   Transliteration: keseb
   Pronunciation: keh'-seb
   Description: apparently by transposition for כֶּבֶשׂ; a young sheep; lamb.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5795
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵז
   Transliteration: ʻêz
   Pronunciation: aze
   Description: from עָזַז; a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair); (she) goat, kid.