Deuteronomy 14:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 14:9 outlines a specific dietary regulation for the Israelites, mandating that among aquatic creatures, only those possessing both fins and scales are permissible for consumption. This command is an integral part of a broader set of purity laws designed to distinguish Israel as a holy nation, set apart for the Lord, and to cultivate principles of obedience, discipline, and discernment in their daily lives as they prepared to inhabit the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 14:9 is situated within a comprehensive section of purity laws (Deuteronomy 14:3-21), which directly follows a powerful exhortation for Israel to embrace and remember their unique status as God's holy people (Deuteronomy 14:1-2). This chapter meticulously details specific dietary restrictions, categorizing animals into "clean" and "unclean" for consumption. The verses immediately preceding verse 9 address forbidden mourning practices and general clean/unclean distinctions for land animals, while Deuteronomy 14:10 explicitly enumerates the aquatic creatures that are forbidden, thereby reinforcing the dual criteria established in verse 9. These dietary regulations, alongside other statutes throughout [the book of Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Second Law"), serve as a practical outworking of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, providing divine guidance for their daily existence in the Promised Land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** These dietary laws were imparted to the Israelites as they stood on the threshold of entering Canaan, a land populated by diverse pagan cultures. These surrounding nations frequently engaged in practices, including dietary habits, sacrificial rituals, and idolatrous worship, that were anathema to the worship of Yahweh. By instituting distinct dietary codes, God furnished Israel with a tangible and daily means of maintaining their unique identity and holiness, thereby preventing assimilation into the corrupting and idolatrous practices of their neighbors. In the ancient world, food was not merely sustenance but often carried profound religious, social, and even political implications, rendering these laws a powerful symbol of Israel’s separation and unwavering devotion to their covenant God.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme permeating Deuteronomy 14, and specifically highlighted in verse 9, is **holiness and distinction**. Israel is repeatedly summoned to be a "holy people to the Lord your God" (e.g., [Deuteronomy 14:2](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Deuteronomy 14:2 - Israel, a Holy People")). The dietary laws functioned as a daily, tangible reminder of this divine calling, setting them apart from all other nations. Another pivotal theme is **obedience to divine law**. God's commands, even those pertaining to seemingly mundane matters like food, were not arbitrary but were integral to the covenant relationship, demanding faithful adherence as a demonstration of their trust and loyalty. Furthermore, these laws implicitly promoted **purity and well-being**. While the primary purpose was theological (holiness), the distinction between clean and unclean foods also contributed to general hygiene and the avoidance of potentially harmful or scavenging creatures, aligning with similar regulations found in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** This primitive root signifies the act of consuming food, whether literally or figuratively. In Deuteronomy 14:9, it denotes divine permission and instruction for the Israelites to partake of specific aquatic creatures. The repeated use of this verb underscores the direct command and the practical application of the dietary law in their daily lives, transforming the act of eating into an act of obedience.
* **fins (Hebrew, _çᵉnappîyr'_):** This term refers to the appendages that enable fish to propel themselves and steer through water. In the context of the Mosaic Law, the presence of fins signified a creature that moved naturally and freely within its aquatic environment, indicating a "clean" and therefore permissible food source. It distinguished free-swimming fish from bottom-dwellers or those that moved by other means.
* **scales (Hebrew, _qasqeseth'_):** These are the protective, overlapping plates covering the skin of most fish. Like fins, the presence of scales was a defining characteristic of "clean" aquatic animals. Their absence, as in the case of shellfish (e.g., shrimp, crabs, lobsters) or eels, rendered the creature "unclean" and forbidden for consumption. The combination of both fins and scales provided a clear, observable, and unambiguous criterion for distinguishing edible from non-edible aquatic life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These ye shall eat of all that [are] in the waters:"** This opening clause broadly introduces the category of aquatic creatures as potential food sources for the Israelites. It establishes the domain of the regulation, indicating that while sustenance may be drawn from the waters, it is not without specific divine limitations. The phrasing implies a divine authorization and provision for sustenance from the aquatic realm, but under precise conditions that follow.
* **"all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:"** This is the prescriptive and definitive clause, establishing the dual criteria for clean aquatic animals. The conjunction "and" (וְ) is crucial, emphasizing that both fins *and* scales must be present for a creature to be considered clean. The absence of either characteristic rendered the creature unclean and forbidden. This precise definition eliminated a wide range of aquatic life, including bottom-feeders, scavengers, and those without these specific physical attributes, thereby ensuring a particular standard of purity and distinction for the Israelite diet.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 14:9 employs several literary devices to convey its instruction with clarity and authority. The most prominent is **Categorization**, as the verse establishes a clear, binary classification of aquatic animals into "clean" (permissible) and "unclean" (forbidden) based on observable physical characteristics. This categorical approach is characteristic of legal texts within the Pentateuch, providing unambiguous guidelines for the community. There is also a strong element of **Legal Language**, utilizing imperative and declarative statements ("ye shall eat," "shall ye eat") to convey divine command and obligation, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the expected behavior. Furthermore, the verse employs **Synecdoche**, where "fins and scales" (parts) stand as metonymic markers for the entire class of creatures that possess them, serving as easily identifiable criteria for the whole. This concise phrasing facilitates easy identification and adherence to the law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The dietary laws, including those pertaining to aquatic creatures, were not arbitrary rules but served profound theological purposes for ancient Israel. They were a tangible expression of God's desire for His people to live a life of holiness and distinction, reflecting His own character. By adhering to these regulations, Israel demonstrated their obedience to the covenant and affirmed their unique identity as a nation set apart for Yahweh. The laws fostered discipline, discernment, and a constant awareness of God's presence in their daily lives, transforming mundane acts of eating into acts of worship and remembrance of their covenant Lord. This distinction underscored their separation from the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, reinforcing their commitment to monotheism and purity, and preparing them to be a light to the nations.

* [Leviticus 11:9-12](/leviticus/11-9-12 "Leviticus 11:9-12 - Clean and Unclean Aquatic Animals")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy as God is Holy")
* [Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Not About Food and Drink")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal adherence to the Mosaic dietary laws is no longer binding for New Covenant believers, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 14:9 remain profoundly relevant for spiritual formation. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God cares about every aspect of our lives, including our daily choices, and calls us to live in a manner that reflects His holiness. For us today, this translates into exercising spiritual discernment in all areas—what we consume (not just physically, but spiritually through media, relationships, and influences), how we manage our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, and how we interact with the world around us. The call to be distinct from the world, to live with discipline and intentionality, and to honor God in all things, is a timeless principle that transcends specific dietary codes. Our "cleanliness" now stems from Christ's atoning work, enabling us to pursue practical holiness in our conduct, attitudes, and priorities, demonstrating our unique identity as God's redeemed people and bearing witness to His transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "holiness" in Deuteronomy 14:9 challenge my understanding of what it means to be set apart for God in my daily life today?**
* **In what areas of my life, beyond literal food, am I called to exercise discernment and discipline to honor God and maintain spiritual purity?**
* **How can I live distinctly from the surrounding culture in a way that reflects God's character, without becoming legalistic or judgmental towards others?**
* **What "fins and scales" (i.e., clear, observable criteria) does the New Testament provide for living a life pleasing to God and demonstrating spiritual maturity?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the dietary laws for ancient Israel, as exemplified by Deuteronomy 14:9?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the dietary laws, including the specific criteria for aquatic animals in Deuteronomy 14:9, was multifaceted and deeply theological. Foremost, they served as a tangible means of establishing and maintaining Israel's **holiness and distinction** as God's chosen people. By adhering to these unique regulations, Israel was visibly set apart from the surrounding pagan nations, preventing assimilation into their idolatrous practices and reinforcing their covenant relationship with Yahweh. The laws also fostered **obedience and discipline**, teaching the Israelites to submit to divine authority in all aspects of life, even the mundane act of eating. While not explicitly stated as a primary reason, these laws also contributed to **purity and well-being**, guiding the people away from potentially harmful or scavenging creatures, which often carried higher risks of disease in ancient times. Ultimately, these dietary codes transformed daily sustenance into a constant reminder of their unique identity and their commitment to a holy God, preparing them to live as a consecrated nation in the Promised Land. This historical context helps us understand why, under the New Covenant, these specific food laws are no longer binding for believers, as articulated in passages like [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - Peter's Vision and Cleanliness") and [Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Not About Food").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 14:9, with its emphasis on external purity through dietary distinctions, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant laws, including those concerning clean and unclean foods, served as a "shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ" ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - The Shadow and the Substance")). Jesus Himself declared a revolutionary truth, stating that "nothing outside a person can defile him by going into him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him" ([Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - What Defiles a Person")). This profound teaching, later affirmed by Peter's vision in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter's Vision and Cornelius"), effectively abolished the ceremonial food laws, signifying that true purity is not achieved through external adherence to dietary codes but through an internal transformation of the heart. Christ, the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), cleanses us from all unrighteousness, making us truly holy and distinct, not by what we eat, but by His atoning sacrifice. Thus, the call to holiness remains, but it is now realized through faith in Him, enabling us to live lives of genuine purity and distinction, empowered by the Spirit, rather than by adherence to a legalistic system of "food and drink and various washings" ([Hebrews 9:10](/hebrews/9-10 "Hebrews 9:10 - Regulations of the Old Covenant")).

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

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.