Deuteronomy 14:9

These ye shall eat of all that [are] in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:

These ye shall eat {H398} of all that are in the waters {H4325}: all that have fins {H5579} and scales {H7193} shall ye eat {H398}:

"Of all that lives in the water, you may eat these: anything in the water that has fins and scales, these you may eat.

Of all the creatures that live in the water, you may eat anything with fins and scales,

These ye may eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales may ye eat;

Context of Deuteronomy 14:9

Deuteronomy 14:9 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that outlines the laws and statutes given by God to the nation of Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This chapter, specifically, deals with dietary laws, distinguishing between "clean" and "unclean" animals that the Israelites were permitted or forbidden to eat. These regulations served to set Israel apart as a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures, emphasizing their unique covenant relationship with the Lord.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Holiness and Distinction: The primary theme is the call for Israel to live as a holy people, set apart for God. The dietary laws, including those for aquatic creatures, were a tangible way for them to express their obedience and maintain their distinct identity. This concept is reinforced throughout Deuteronomy, such as in Deuteronomy 14:2.
  • Obedience to Divine Law: God's commands, even concerning food, were not arbitrary but were designed for the well-being, purity, and spiritual discipline of His people. Adhering to these laws demonstrated their faithfulness to the covenant.
  • Purity and Health (Implied): While the Bible doesn't explicitly state health as the sole reason, many ancient dietary laws had practical benefits related to hygiene and avoiding potentially harmful foods. The distinction between clean and unclean foods was a fundamental aspect of Israel's purity codes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text specifies "fins and scales." The Hebrew words are senappir (סְנַפִּיר) for "fins" and kaskeset (קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת) for "scales." These terms are straightforward and refer to the physical characteristics that define a clean aquatic animal. Any creature living in the water that lacked either of these two features was considered "unclean" and forbidden for consumption, as detailed in the following verse, Deuteronomy 14:10.

Related Scriptures

This instruction regarding edible aquatic life closely parallels the earlier, more detailed regulations found in Leviticus 11:9-12. Both passages emphasize the same criteria for distinguishing clean fish (those with fins and scales) from unclean marine life (those without, such as shellfish like shrimp, crab, or lobster, and certain types of fish).

Practical Application

For ancient Israel, these dietary laws were a daily reminder of their covenant relationship with God and their call to be set apart. For believers today, under the New Covenant, the literal adherence to the Mosaic food laws is no longer required, as illustrated by Peter's vision in Acts 10 and Paul's teachings (e.g., Romans 14:17). However, the underlying principles remain relevant:

  • Discernment: We are still called to exercise discernment in our choices, seeking to honor God in all aspects of our lives.
  • Discipline: The laws fostered discipline and self-control, virtues still valuable for spiritual growth.
  • Distinctiveness: While not through dietary restrictions, Christians are still called to live distinctly from the world, reflecting God's holiness in their attitudes, actions, and priorities, as encouraged in 1 Peter 1:15-16.

Deuteronomy 14:9 serves as a historical example of how God guided His people in their daily lives, teaching them to live in a way that reflected His character and their unique identity as His chosen nation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Leviticus 11:9

    ¶ These shall ye eat of all that [are] in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.

  • Leviticus 11:12

    Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that [shall be] an abomination unto you.
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