Deuteronomy 14:19

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:19 is part of the detailed dietary laws given by God to the nation of Israel through Moses. This specific verse addresses the category of winged insects, declaring them unclean for consumption, reinforcing the distinct identity and holiness expected of God's chosen people.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader passage (Deuteronomy 14:3-20) that meticulously lists animals, birds, fish, and insects that the Israelites were permitted or forbidden to eat. These dietary regulations, often referred to as kashrut laws, were not merely about hygiene, but served a profound theological purpose: to distinguish Israel from the surrounding pagan nations and to cultivate a sense of holiness and separation unto the Lord. The prohibition against "every creeping thing that flieth" complements similar laws found in Leviticus 11:20-23, which also specifies certain exceptions like locusts, grasshoppers, and crickets, which were permitted.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Purity: The primary theme is Israel's call to be a holy nation set apart for God. Dietary laws were a tangible way to live out this distinction, reminding them daily of their unique relationship with the Lord. Deuteronomy 14:2 emphasizes this by stating they are "a holy people unto the LORD thy God."
  • Obedience to Divine Command: These laws underscore the importance of obedience to God's specific instructions, even when the reasons might not be immediately apparent. Godโ€™s commands are for the good of His people.
  • Discernment and Distinction: The regulations taught the Israelites to discern between the clean and the unclean, fostering a mindset of careful living that extended beyond food to all aspects of life.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "creeping thing that flieth" translates from the Hebrew ืฉึถืืจึถืฅ ื”ึธืขื•ึนืฃ (sherets ha'oph). The term sherets broadly refers to swarming, teeming, or creeping creatures, often implying small, numerous animals. When combined with ha'oph, meaning "of the fowl" or "that which flies," it specifically denotes winged insects that typically crawl or swarm on the ground, such as flies, wasps, or beetles. This distinguishes them from the permitted winged insects like locusts, which are explicitly allowed elsewhere in the Law.

Practical Application

While the ceremonial dietary laws of the Old Covenant are not binding on New Testament believers (as clarified in passages like Acts 10:15 and Mark 7:19), the underlying principles remain highly relevant:

  • Spiritual Discernment: Believers are still called to exercise spiritual discernment, distinguishing between what is spiritually "clean" (holy, righteous, pleasing to God) and "unclean" (sinful, worldly, defiling).
  • Obedience to God's Word: The principle of obedience to God's revealed will is eternal. We are called to live according to God's moral and spiritual commands.
  • Living Set Apart: Christians are called to be a holy people, set apart for God's purposes in the world, not conforming to its patterns but being transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). This means making choices that reflect our identity in Christ, even if they differ from cultural norms.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ยถ 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.
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