Deuteronomy 14:5

KJV

The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.

KJV (with Strong's)

The hart {H354}, and the roebuck {H6643}, and the fallow deer {H3180}, and the wild goat {H689}, and the pygarg {H1788}, and the wild ox {H8377}, and the chamois {H2169}.

Complete Jewish Bible

deer, gazelle, roebuck, ibex, antelope, oryx and mountain sheep.

Berean Standard Bible

the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep.

American Standard Version

the hart, and the gazelle, and the roebuck, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the antelope, and the chamois.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 14:5 is an integral part of the Mosaic dietary laws, specifically listing seven types of clean ruminant animals—the hart, roebuck, fallow deer, wild goat, pygarg, wild ox, and chamois—that were permissible for the Israelites to eat. This detailed enumeration underscores God's meticulous provision for His covenant people and served to reinforce their distinct identity and call to holiness, setting them apart from surrounding nations through their daily practices.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 14:5 is situated within a broader section of Deuteronomy (chapters 12-26) that outlines the statutes and ordinances given by God to Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. More specifically, it is part of the detailed dietary laws found in [Deuteronomy 14:3-20](/deuteronomy/14-3 "Deuteronomy 14:3-20 - Clean and Unclean Animals"), which immediately follows a general prohibition against certain mourning rituals ([Deuteronomy 14:1-2](/deuteronomy/14-1 "Deuteronomy 14:1-2 - Israel as Holy to the Lord")). This chapter begins by declaring Israel "a holy people to the Lord your God," establishing the theological framework for the subsequent regulations. The list of clean animals in [Deuteronomy 14:4-5](/deuteronomy/14-4 "Deuteronomy 14:4-5 - Permitted Animals") directly follows the general criteria for clean land animals (cloven hoof, chewing the cud) and precedes the lists of clean and unclean aquatic and winged creatures. The meticulousness of these instructions reflects God's desire for His people's complete consecration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, dietary practices often held significant religious and social implications, distinguishing one group from another. The Mosaic Law's dietary regulations, including the specific animals listed in [Deuteronomy 14:5](/deuteronomy/14-5 "Deuteronomy 14:5 - List of Clean Animals"), served to set Israel apart from their pagan neighbors, whose religious practices often involved eating animals considered unclean by Israelite law. These laws were not merely arbitrary but contributed to Israel's unique identity as God's chosen people, reinforcing their covenant relationship through daily obedience. The animals listed, such as various deer and goat species, were common in the Levant, providing accessible food sources for a people transitioning from nomadic life to settled agriculture. Understanding these animals as "clean" provided practical guidance for their sustenance while maintaining their ritual purity.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme running through [Deuteronomy 14](/deuteronomy/14 "Deuteronomy 14 - Laws on Clean and Unclean Animals, Tithes") and particularly highlighted by [Deuteronomy 14:5](/deuteronomy/14-5 "Deuteronomy 14:5 - Specific Clean Animals") is **holiness and separation**. God's detailed instructions on what to eat and what to avoid underscored Israel's call to be a "holy people" ([Deuteronomy 14:2](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Deuteronomy 14:2 - Israel as a Holy People")). This distinction in diet was a tangible, daily reminder of their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. Another key theme is **God's provision and sovereignty**. By specifying which animals were permissible, God demonstrated His care for the physical well-being of His people, providing a diverse and healthy diet from the land He was giving them. Furthermore, the meticulousness of the list emphasizes the **comprehensiveness of God's Law**, indicating that His governance extended to every aspect of Israelite life, even down to their food choices, thereby fostering a culture of obedience and dependence on divine instruction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pygarg (Hebrew, _dîšōn_):** This term refers to a type of antelope, though its precise identification remains a subject of scholarly debate. The KJV's "pygarg" (from Greek _pygargos_ meaning "white-rumped") suggests a species with a distinctive white patch on its hindquarters. While some translations render it as "addax" or "ibex," the core meaning points to a large, clean, ruminant animal, emphasizing the diversity of permissible game.
* **Chamois (Hebrew, _zemer_):** Similar to "pygarg," the exact animal referred to by _zemer_ is uncertain. While the KJV translates it as "chamois," a European mountain goat, it's unlikely this specific animal was native to ancient Israel. Other proposed identifications include a mountain sheep, wild goat, or even a giraffe in some ancient interpretations. Regardless of the precise zoological identification, it denotes another large, cloven-hoofed, cud-chewing animal deemed acceptable for consumption, further illustrating the breadth of God's provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer":** These three terms refer to various species of deer, all widely recognized and common in the ancient Near East. The "hart" (male deer, often a stag) and "roebuck" (a smaller European deer) signify agile, graceful animals. The "fallow deer" is known for its distinctive spotted coat. Their inclusion highlights that common, indigenous deer species were considered clean, providing a staple source of protein for the Israelites.
* **"and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois":** This second grouping extends the list to other large ruminants. The "wild goat" is a common inhabitant of mountainous regions. The "pygarg" and "chamois," as discussed above, represent other types of antelope or mountain-dwelling ruminants, even if their exact species identification is debated. The "wild ox" (likely a type of antelope or possibly the extinct aurochs) signifies large bovine or bovine-like animals. Together, these seven animals demonstrate a comprehensive range of permissible game, emphasizing the abundance of God's provision within the parameters of His law.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Deuteronomy 14:5 is **Enumeration** or **Cataloging**. This detailed listing of specific animals underscores the meticulousness and comprehensiveness of the Mosaic Law. It is not a vague guideline but a precise instruction, reflecting God's absolute authority and His desire for clarity in His people's obedience. This **Specificity** in the law ensures that there is no ambiguity regarding what is permissible, leaving no room for subjective interpretation in matters of purity. The repetitive structure of "the X, and the Y, and the Z" also creates a rhythmic, almost liturgical, tone, reinforcing the authoritative nature of the divine command and making the list memorable for an oral culture.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 14:5, with its specific list of clean animals, connects profoundly to the overarching theological theme of holiness and separation that permeates the Old Covenant. For Israel, adherence to these dietary laws was not merely about hygiene or health; it was a tangible, daily expression of their covenant relationship with God and their distinct identity as His chosen people. By observing these regulations, the Israelites were constantly reminded that they were set apart for the Lord, and their lives, even in the mundane act of eating, were to reflect His holiness. This external purity was meant to symbolize and foster an internal purity of heart and devotion to God, distinguishing them from the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations.

* [Leviticus 11:2-3](/leviticus/11-2 "Leviticus 11:2-3 - Criteria for Clean Animals")
* [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - Peter's Vision and the Abolition of Dietary Laws")
* [1 Timothy 4:4-5](/1_timothy/4-4 "1 Timothy 4:4-5 - All Food is Good if Received with Thanksgiving")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific dietary laws of the Old Covenant, including the list in Deuteronomy 14:5, are not binding for New Testament believers, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant. This passage reminds us of God's meticulous concern for every detail of our lives and His desire for His people to live distinctively for Him. For ancient Israel, eating was an act of worship and identity; for us, all of life, including our choices in diet, entertainment, relationships, and work, can be consecrated to God. We are called to live as a "holy nation" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Holy Nation")), not by external regulations concerning food, but by an internal transformation that seeks to honor God in all things. The thoroughness of God's law in Deuteronomy also challenges us to consider the areas of our lives where we might be tempted to be casual or compromise, and instead, to pursue intentional obedience and discernment in accordance with God's revealed will in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do God's detailed instructions in the Old Testament, like the list in Deuteronomy 14:5, inform our understanding of His character and His concern for our lives today?**
* **In what ways are New Testament believers called to live distinctively and set apart for God in a secular world, even without specific dietary laws?**
* **What "mundane" areas of our lives (e.g., finances, time, media consumption) can we intentionally consecrate to God, reflecting His sovereignty over all things?**

### FAQ
**Question?**
Why did God provide such a detailed list of animals in Deuteronomy 14:5, rather than just general criteria?

Answer: God provided a detailed list in [Deuteronomy 14:5](/deuteronomy/14-5 "Deuteronomy 14:5 - Specific Clean Animals") for several reasons. Firstly, it ensured absolute clarity for the Israelites, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding which animals were permissible for consumption. This precision was crucial for maintaining ritual purity and avoiding unintentional transgression of the covenant. Secondly, it reinforced their unique identity as God's chosen people, distinguishing them from the surrounding nations who did not adhere to such specific dietary codes. Every meal became a reminder of their covenant relationship. Thirdly, it demonstrated God's comprehensive care for their physical and spiritual well-being, providing a diverse and accessible range of food while also guiding them toward practices that fostered health and holiness. The specificity underscored that God's authority extended to every aspect of their lives, fostering a culture of meticulous obedience and dependence on His divine instruction, as seen throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Book of the Law").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The detailed dietary laws in Deuteronomy 14:5, while abrogated for New Testament believers, find their ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in Christ. These Old Covenant regulations, including the distinction between clean and unclean animals, served as a "shadow" pointing to a greater spiritual reality ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")). They highlighted humanity's inherent uncleanness and inability to achieve perfect righteousness through external observances, thereby revealing the need for a more profound, internal cleansing. Jesus, as the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfills the sacrificial system and renders the clean/unclean distinctions obsolete through His atoning work on the cross. He declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")), shifting the focus from external dietary purity to the internal purity of the heart. Through His blood, believers are made truly clean and holy, not by adherence to food laws, but by faith in Him ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). The kingdom of God is no longer about "eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Not Food and Drink")), demonstrating that Christ has inaugurated a new covenant where spiritual transformation, not ceremonial law, defines God's people.

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.