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Deuteronomy 14:5

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:5 is part of a detailed list outlining which animals the Israelites were permitted to eat ("clean") and which were forbidden ("unclean") according to the Law given by God through Moses.

Context

This verse specifically lists several types of deer and related animals that were considered clean and therefore acceptable for consumption. It follows the general principles laid out at the beginning of the chapter regarding foods the Israelites were not to eat, and is part of the larger section detailing the specific animals that fit the criteria for being clean (having cloven hooves and chewing the cud).

Key Themes

  • Cleanliness and Purity: The primary theme is the distinction between clean and unclean animals, a key aspect of the Mosaic Law designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation.
  • God's Provision and Order: The list reflects God's specific instructions for Israel's diet, demonstrating His care for their physical well-being and their distinct identity.
  • Specific Animal Identification: The verse provides a list of particular animals within the broader category of clean animals, highlighting the detail of God's instructions.

Linguistic Insights

The names listed here represent various species of ruminants native to the region. While some identifications are clear (hart, roebuck, wild goat), others like "pygarg" (Hebrew: dishon) and "chamois" (Hebrew: zemer) are less certain and have been translated in various ways (e.g., antelope, mountain sheep) across different Bible versions. The KJV translators used the best available knowledge of the time to render these terms, but the core message remains a list of specific, permitted animals.

Reflection and Application

For ancient Israel, adherence to these dietary laws was a tangible way of living out their covenant relationship with God and maintaining their distinct identity among nations. While these specific dietary regulations are not binding for New Testament believers (as seen in passages like Acts 10:15 and Mark 7:19), the underlying principle of living in accordance with God's will and recognizing His provision remains relevant. The level of detail in this list also speaks to the thoroughness of God's law and His concern for every aspect of His people's lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.