Deuteronomy 14:14

KJV

And every raven after his kind,

KJV (with Strong's)

And every raven {H6158} after his kind {H4327},

Complete Jewish Bible

any kind of raven,

Berean Standard Bible

any kind of raven,

American Standard Version

and every raven after its kind,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 14:14, a concise yet significant prohibition, declares the raven and all its related species as unclean, forbidding their consumption by the Israelites. This command is an integral part of the broader dietary laws outlined in Deuteronomy 14, which served to distinguish Israel as a holy and set-apart people, reflecting their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh and reinforcing principles of purity, obedience, and divine authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 14:14 is situated within a detailed section of dietary laws, spanning [Deuteronomy 14:3-21](/deuteronomy/14-3 "Deuteronomy 14:3-21 - Clean and Unclean Animals"). This chapter immediately follows an exhortation for Israel to live as "children of the Lord" ([Deuteronomy 14:1](/deuteronomy/14-1 "Deuteronomy 14:1 - Israel as Children of the Lord")) and a "holy people" ([Deuteronomy 14:2](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Deuteronomy 14:2 - Israel, a Holy People")), establishing the theological framework for the subsequent regulations. The list of unclean birds, including the raven, closely mirrors the parallel account found in [Leviticus 11:13-19](/leviticus/11-13 "Leviticus 11:13-19 - Unclean Birds"), indicating a consistent divine mandate across the Pentateuch regarding ritual purity. The specific mention of the raven here is part of a comprehensive enumeration designed to leave no ambiguity regarding what was permissible or forbidden for consumption.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dietary laws given to ancient Israel, including the prohibition against the raven, served multiple purposes within their historical and cultural milieu. In the Ancient Near East, many surrounding nations engaged in cultic practices that involved consuming animals considered unclean by Israelite law, or they did not distinguish between clean and unclean at all. By adhering to these unique dietary restrictions, Israel physically manifested their spiritual separation from pagan cultures and their idolatrous practices. Furthermore, the prohibition of scavenging birds like the raven likely had practical implications for health and hygiene in a pre-scientific age, as such animals often carried diseases. However, the primary emphasis was theological: these laws were a tangible expression of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, marking them as a distinct nation set apart for His purposes, demonstrating their obedience to His divine authority.
* **Key Themes:** The dietary laws in [Deuteronomy 14](/deuteronomy/14 "Deuteronomy 14 - Dietary Laws and Tithes"), including the specific mention of the raven, contribute significantly to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. The foremost theme is **Holiness and Separation**, emphasizing God's call for Israel to be a people set apart for Him, distinct from the nations around them. This distinction was not merely ritualistic but reflected their spiritual identity as God's chosen. Another crucial theme is **Divine Authority and Sovereignty**, as God, the Creator, asserts His right to define what is clean and unclean, righteous and unrighteous, underscoring His absolute rule over all aspects of His people's lives. Consequently, **Obedience** emerges as a central theme, as adherence to these specific and often counter-cultural commands was a test of faith and a demonstration of Israel's commitment to the covenant with Yahweh, as reiterated throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy "Deuteronomy - The Second Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Raven (Hebrew, _'orev'_):** The Hebrew word עֹרֵב refers specifically to the common raven (Corvus corax) and broadly to birds of the crow family. Ravens are characterized by their dark plumage, intelligence, and, crucially, their scavenging habits, often feeding on carrion. In ancient Israelite culture, animals that consumed dead or decaying flesh were typically considered unclean, as they were associated with death and impurity. This characteristic likely contributed to their classification as forbidden food, symbolizing a departure from the life-giving order God established.
* **After his kind (Hebrew, _leminêhû'_):** The phrase לְמִינֵהוּ is critical for understanding the scope of the dietary laws. It indicates that the prohibition extends beyond the specific species named (the raven) to include all related species within its biological family or genus. This comprehensive classification ensures that no similar bird, such as crows, rooks, or jays, could be mistakenly deemed clean. This phrase appears consistently throughout the dietary laws in both Deuteronomy and Leviticus, underscoring the meticulous and thorough nature of God's instructions for distinguishing between clean and unclean animals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And every raven":** This initial phrase directly identifies the specific bird that is the subject of the prohibition. The inclusion of "every" emphasizes the universal application of the rule to all individual ravens, leaving no room for exceptions. It establishes the immediate focus on a particular creature within the broader list of unclean birds.
* **"after his kind":** This crucial qualifying phrase expands the prohibition beyond the single species of raven to encompass all birds that share its fundamental characteristics or belong to its biological classification. It signifies that the divine instruction is not narrowly confined but applies comprehensively to the entire "kind" or family of ravens, ensuring a broad and unambiguous application of the dietary restriction. This highlights the systematic and categorical nature of the Mosaic law's classifications.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 14:14, though brief, employs several literary techniques common in legal and instructional texts. The primary device is **Categorization** or **Classification**, as the verse is part of an exhaustive list that systematically divides the animal kingdom into clean and unclean categories. This meticulous listing ensures clarity and leaves no ambiguity for the Israelite community regarding dietary practices. The phrase "after his kind" also exemplifies **Repetition**, as this precise phrasing is used consistently throughout the dietary laws (e.g., in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") for creation, and in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Dietary Laws") for dietary laws), emphasizing the comprehensive and familial nature of the classifications. While not explicitly stated, there is a subtle element of **Symbolism** or **Metonymy** at play, where the raven, by its nature as a scavenger, becomes a representative or symbol of impurity and death, contrasting with the life and purity God desired for His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prohibition against eating the raven, like all the dietary laws, served as a tangible expression of Israel's unique identity as God's holy people. These laws were not arbitrary but were designed to instill a deep sense of discernment and separation, teaching Israel to distinguish between the sacred and the profane, the clean and the unclean, in every aspect of their lives. This physical distinction was meant to cultivate a spiritual reality, reminding them that their entire existence was to be set apart for Yahweh. The laws underscored God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His right to define the boundaries of human conduct, reflecting His desire for His people to live in purity and obedience, thereby reflecting His own character to the surrounding nations.

* [Leviticus 11:15](/leviticus/11-15 "Leviticus 11:15 - Unclean Birds")
* [Ezekiel 44:23](/ezekiel/44-23 "Ezekiel 44:23 - Distinguishing Clean and Unclean")
* [Isaiah 66:17](/isaiah/66-17 "Isaiah 66:17 - Abominable Foods")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific dietary laws of the Old Covenant, including the prohibition against the raven, are no longer binding for New Testament believers, their underlying principles remain profoundly relevant and transformative. The instruction regarding the raven, though seemingly minor, taught Israel about the importance of discerning what defiles and what sanctifies. For Christians today, this translates into a call for spiritual discernment, urging us to carefully evaluate the influences, behaviors, and associations in our lives that might hinder our relationship with God or compromise our witness. We are still called to be holy, not by adhering to a specific diet, but by living a life set apart for God's purposes, reflecting His character in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Our obedience is now expressed through faith in Christ and adherence to the moral and spiritual principles of the New Covenant, striving for inner purity and external conduct that honors God. This verse, therefore, serves as a timeless reminder of God's desire for His people to live distinctly, guided by His wisdom and commands, reflecting His holiness in every aspect of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we apply the principle of "distinguishing between clean and unclean" to our spiritual lives today?**
* **In what specific areas of our lives are we called to be "set apart" for God, reflecting His holiness?**
* **How does our obedience to God's moral and spiritual commands demonstrate our identity as His children in the New Covenant?**

### FAQ
**Why was the raven specifically considered an unclean animal?**

Answer: The raven, and birds of its "kind," were deemed unclean primarily due to their scavenging habits. Animals that feed on carrion (dead and decaying flesh) were associated with death, decay, and impurity in the ancient Israelite worldview. This classification was not necessarily based on health reasons alone but on a theological and ritualistic understanding of purity. God's design for His people emphasized life, order, and separation from anything that represented chaos, death, or defilement. The raven's association with such things made it ritually unfit for consumption, serving as a tangible reminder of the distinction God desired for His people. This aligns with the broader principles of dietary laws found in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Dietary Laws").

**Are the dietary laws, including the prohibition of the raven, still binding for Christians today?**

Answer: No, the specific dietary laws of the Old Covenant, including the prohibition of the raven, are not binding for New Testament believers. Jesus Himself declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - All Foods Clean")), and Peter's vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals") dramatically illustrated the abolition of these distinctions. The Apostle Paul further clarified that food does not commend us to God and that believers have freedom in Christ regarding what they eat ([Romans 14:1-23](/romans/14-1-23 "Romans 14 - Conscience and Dietary Freedom"); [1 Timothy 4:4-5](/1_timothy/4-4 "1 Timothy 4:4-5 - Everything Created by God is Good")). While the literal dietary laws are fulfilled in Christ, the underlying spiritual principles of holiness, discernment, and separation from defilement remain crucial for Christians, now applied to moral and spiritual purity rather than physical consumption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prohibition against the raven, part of the Old Covenant's intricate dietary laws, finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual reinterpretation in Jesus Christ. These laws, while establishing a physical distinction for Israel, were ultimately a "shadow of the things to come" ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow of Things to Come")), pointing to a deeper need for spiritual purity and a separation from sin that no dietary regulation could truly achieve. Christ, as the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the requirements of holiness and offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, cleansing not merely the body but the conscience from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ Cleanses Conscience")). Through His atoning work, He has made all things "clean" for those in Him, removing the ritual barriers and inviting all people into a new covenant of grace. Our holiness is now derived not from what we eat or touch, but from our union with Christ, who Himself is our righteousness and sanctification ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")). Therefore, the call to be "holy as He is holy" ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy")) is now a spiritual mandate, empowered by the indwelling Spirit, to live a life set apart by virtue of Christ's cleansing work, reflecting His character in a world still in need of His transformative purity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.