Deuteronomy 14:19

KJV

And every creeping thing that flieth [is] unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.

KJV (with Strong's)

And every creeping thing {H8318} that flieth {H5775} is unclean {H2931} unto you: they shall not be eaten {H398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"All winged swarming creatures are unclean for you; they are not to be eaten;

Berean Standard Bible

All flying insects are unclean for you; they may not be eaten.

American Standard Version

And all winged creeping things are unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 14:19 is a specific prohibition within the comprehensive dietary laws given to Israel, declaring all winged creeping things as unclean and therefore forbidden for consumption. This command served to reinforce the distinct identity and holiness of God's chosen people, setting them apart from surrounding nations and cultivating a tangible expression of their covenant relationship with the Lord through daily practices.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 14:19 is nestled within a larger section (Deuteronomy 14:3-20) that meticulously outlines the dietary regulations for the Israelites. This passage immediately follows an exhortation for Israel to be a holy people set apart for the Lord ([Deuteronomy 14:1-2](/deuteronomy/14-1 "Deuteronomy 14:1-2 - Israel, a Holy People")). The detailed list of clean and unclean animals, fish, and birds serves as a practical outworking of this call to holiness. Specifically, verse 19 concludes the section on flying creatures, providing a general prohibition against winged insects that are not explicitly permitted elsewhere, such as the locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers mentioned in [Leviticus 11:22](/leviticus/11-22 "Leviticus 11:22 - Permitted Winged Insects"). The structure of these laws emphasizes a clear distinction between what is permissible and what is not, creating a tangible boundary for the covenant community.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dietary laws of the Old Testament, including this verse, were given to ancient Israel as they were establishing themselves as a nation in the Promised Land. Surrounding Canaanite cultures often engaged in practices that blurred distinctions between clean and unclean, including cultic meals and consumption of various animals without such strictures. God's commands in Deuteronomy, delivered by Moses, served to separate Israel from these pagan influences, protecting them from idolatry and syncretism. These laws were not primarily for hygiene, though that was a secondary benefit, but rather for theological distinction. They created a unique identity for Israel, reminding them daily of their covenant relationship with Yahweh and their call to be a holy nation, distinct from all other peoples on earth, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel, a Special People").

* **Key Themes:** The dietary laws in [Deuteronomy 14](/deuteronomy/14 "Deuteronomy 14 - Clean and Unclean Animals") contribute significantly to several overarching themes in the book. The most prominent is **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing Israel's call to be a nation set apart for God. The distinction between clean and unclean foods served as a constant, tangible reminder of their unique status and the purity required by a holy God. This is explicitly stated in [Deuteronomy 14:2](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Deuteronomy 14:2 - Israel, Holy to the LORD"). Another key theme is **Obedience to Divine Command**, highlighting that God's instructions, even those seemingly arbitrary, are for the good of His people and require faithful adherence. These laws underscore the importance of living by every word that comes from the mouth of God, as taught in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God"). Finally, the laws foster **Discernment and Distinction**, training the Israelites to differentiate between categories, which extended beyond food to moral and spiritual choices, cultivating a mindset of careful living that reflected their covenant identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **creeping thing (Hebrew, _sherets_):** This term broadly refers to swarming, teeming, or creeping creatures. It often denotes small, numerous animals that move close to the ground, whether on land or in water. In the context of dietary laws, _sherets_ typically carries a negative connotation, often associated with uncleanness, as seen in [Leviticus 11:41](/leviticus/11-41 "Leviticus 11:41 - Creeping Things are Detestable"). The use of this term here highlights the low, often repulsive, nature of these creatures from an ancient Israelite perspective, reinforcing their forbidden status.
* **that flieth (Hebrew, _ha'oph_):** This phrase literally means "of the fowl" or "that which flies." When combined with _sherets_, it specifically denotes winged insects or small flying creatures that typically crawl or swarm, distinguishing them from larger birds or the specifically permitted winged insects like locusts. This combination points to creatures like flies, wasps, beetles, or other similar winged invertebrates that move in a "creeping" or "swarming" manner. The distinction is crucial, as some winged insects were permitted, but those that also "creep" or "swarm" were generally forbidden.
* **unclean (Hebrew, _ṭame'_):** This word signifies a state of ritual impurity or defilement. In the Old Testament, "unclean" does not necessarily mean "dirty" or "unhygienic" in a modern sense, but rather "unfit for sacred use," "profane," or "separated from God's presence." To be unclean meant one could not participate fully in worship or approach God. The declaration that these creatures are "unclean unto you" means they are ritually defiling and, by extension, consumption would compromise the Israelite's covenant purity and distinctness before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And every creeping thing that flieth":** This clause identifies the specific category of creature being addressed. It refers to winged insects or small flying creatures that also exhibit characteristics of "creeping" or "swarming," distinguishing them from larger birds or specific exceptions like locusts. The emphasis is on their dual nature of being both winged and "creeping," which appears to be a key criterion for their designation as unclean.
* **"[is] unclean unto you":** This is the divine declaration of status. These creatures are ritually impure for the Israelites. This uncleanness is not inherent evil in the creature itself, but a designation by God to serve a theological purpose for His people. The phrase "unto you" emphasizes that this prohibition is specific to Israel, part of their unique covenant identity and call to holiness.
* **"they shall not be eaten":** This is the direct prohibition, the practical consequence of their "unclean" status. The command is absolute and clear, leaving no room for ambiguity. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's specific commands as a tangible expression of their covenant relationship and their commitment to living as a holy nation.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 14:19 employs several literary devices. Primarily, it uses **Categorization** and **Classification**, as it is part of an extensive list that systematically divides the animal kingdom into clean and unclean categories. This meticulous classification reflects a highly ordered worldview, emphasizing God's sovereignty over creation and His desire for order and distinction within His covenant people. The language is also characterized by **Legal or Prescriptive Language**, using direct commands ("they shall not be eaten") to establish clear boundaries and expectations for behavior. This authoritative tone underscores the divine origin and binding nature of the law. Furthermore, there is an element of **Repetition** and **Parallelism** within the broader dietary laws of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. The recurring theme of "clean" and "unclean" throughout these chapters reinforces the central theological message of holiness and separation, ensuring that the concept is deeply embedded in the Israelites' daily lives and consciousness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prohibition in Deuteronomy 14:19, like all Old Testament dietary laws, served as a powerful pedagogical tool for ancient Israel. It was less about the inherent nature of the creature and more about teaching the Israelites the profound distinction between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean, and ultimately, between God's chosen people and the surrounding nations. These external regulations were designed to cultivate an internal mindset of holiness, obedience, and separation unto the Lord. While the specific dietary restrictions are no longer binding on New Testament believers, the underlying principles of spiritual discernment, obedience to God's moral will, and the call to live a life set apart for God's purposes remain eternally relevant.

* [Leviticus 11:20-23](/leviticus/11-20 "Leviticus 11:20-23 - Parallel Dietary Laws on Winged Insects")
* [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - Peter's Vision and the Cleansing of All Foods")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 14:19, though part of an Old Covenant legal system, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God desires a people who are distinct, set apart for His glory. While we are no longer bound by these specific dietary codes, the principle of living a consecrated life, making choices that reflect our identity in Christ, is paramount. We are called to exercise spiritual discernment, distinguishing between what is spiritually nourishing and what is defiling, between the values of the Kingdom of God and the patterns of the world. This means intentionally choosing purity in thought, word, and deed, and aligning our lives with God's revealed will. Our "diet" today is not merely physical, but spiritual: what we consume through our eyes, ears, and minds shapes our inner person. Just as Israel was to be a visible testament to God's holiness, so too are believers called to shine as lights in the world, demonstrating the transformative power of God's grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I called to exercise greater spiritual discernment, distinguishing between what is "clean" (holy, righteous) and "unclean" (sinful, worldly)?**
* **How does my daily "diet" (what I consume through media, relationships, and thoughts) reflect my identity as someone set apart for God?**
* **What specific choices can I make this week to more fully live out the call to holiness and distinction in a way that honors God?**

### FAQ

**Why did God declare certain animals unclean for Israel?**

Answer: The primary reason for the dietary laws, including the prohibition in Deuteronomy 14:19, was not primarily hygiene or health, but theological and spiritual. God declared certain animals unclean to distinguish Israel as His holy people, set apart from the surrounding pagan nations. These laws served as a constant, tangible reminder of their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh and their call to live a consecrated life. By observing these distinctions, the Israelites learned obedience, discernment, and the profound difference between the sacred and the common, reinforcing their identity as "a holy people unto the LORD your God" ([Deuteronomy 14:2](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Deuteronomy 14:2 - Israel, a Holy People")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dietary laws of the Old Covenant, including the prohibition against "creeping things that flieth" in [Deuteronomy 14:19](/deuteronomy/14-19 "Deuteronomy 14:19 - Unclean Winged Insects"), find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. These laws, like the entire Mosaic Law, served as a "tutor to bring us to Christ" ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Tutor to Christ")), highlighting humanity's need for a deeper, internal cleansing that external rituals could not provide. Jesus declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")), shifting the focus from what goes into the mouth to what comes out of the heart, for "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" ([Matthew 15:19](/matthew/15-19 "Matthew 15:19 - What Defiles a Person")). Furthermore, Peter's vision in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter's Vision and Cornelius") explicitly reveals that God has cleansed all things, signifying the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant and the abolition of the ceremonial distinctions that once separated Jew and Gentile. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are made truly clean, not by adherence to external dietary codes, but by the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")). Our holiness now comes from our union with Christ, who is our righteousness and sanctification ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")), enabling us to live lives set apart by His power, fulfilling the spirit of the law through love and obedience from a transformed heart.

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.

Cross-References

Philippians 3:19

Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Leviticus 11:20

¶ All fowls that creep, going upon [all] four, [shall be] an abomination unto you.

Leviticus 11:23

But all [other] flying creeping things, which have four feet, [shall be] an abomination unto you.