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 presents a specific dietary regulation for the Israelites concerning aquatic life, stipulating that only creatures possessing both fins and scales are permissible for consumption. This command is part of a broader set of purity laws designed to distinguish Israel as a holy nation, set apart for the Lord, and to instill principles of obedience, discipline, and discernment in their daily lives as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 14:9 is embedded within a larger section of purity laws (Deuteronomy 14:3-21) that immediately follows an exhortation for Israel to remember their unique status as God's holy people (Deuteronomy 14:1-2). This chapter details specific dietary restrictions, categorizing animals into "clean" and "unclean" for consumption. The verses preceding verse 9 deal with forbidden mourning practices and general clean/unclean distinctions, while the verses immediately following (Deuteronomy 14:10) explicitly state what aquatic creatures are forbidden, reinforcing the criteria given in verse 9. These dietary regulations, along with other laws in Deuteronomy, serve as a practical outworking of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, guiding their daily lives in the Promised Land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of these dietary laws occurred as the Israelites were on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land inhabited by various pagan cultures. These surrounding nations often engaged in practices, including dietary habits and sacrificial rituals, that were anathema to the worship of Yahweh. By establishing distinct dietary codes, God provided Israel with a tangible means of maintaining their unique identity and holiness, preventing assimilation into the idolatrous practices of their neighbors. Food in the ancient world was not merely sustenance but often carried significant religious and social implications, making these laws a powerful symbol of Israel’s separation and devotion to their covenant God.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in Deuteronomy 14, and specifically in verse 9, is **holiness and distinction**. Israel is repeatedly called 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 served as a daily, tangible reminder of this divine calling, setting them apart from other nations. Another key theme is **obedience to divine law**. God's commands, even concerning seemingly mundane matters like food, were not arbitrary but were integral to the covenant relationship, demanding faithful adherence. This obedience was a demonstration of their trust and loyalty. Finally, the laws implicitly promote **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 scavengering creatures, aligning with similar regulations found in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fins (Hebrew, _senappir'_):** This word refers to the appendages used by fish for propulsion and steering in 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.
* **Scales (Hebrew, _kaskeset'_):** These are the protective 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 served as a clear, observable 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. It sets the stage for the subsequent, more specific criteria, indicating that not all creatures found in water are permissible, but only a select group. The phrasing implies a divine authorization and provision for sustenance from the aquatic realm, but under specific conditions.
* **"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. The absence of either characteristic rendered the creature unclean. 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 for the Israelite diet.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 14:9 employs several literary devices to convey its instruction. 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 in the Pentateuch, providing unambiguous guidelines for the community. There is also an element of **Legal Language**, using imperative and declarative statements ("ye shall eat," "shall ye eat") to convey divine command and obligation. The use of **Synecdoche** is also present, where "fins and scales" (parts) stand for the whole creature that possesses them, serving as metonymic markers for the entire class of clean fish. This concise phrasing allows for easy identification and adherence to the law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The dietary laws, including those for aquatic creatures, were not merely 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 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.

* [Leviticus 11:9-12](/leviticus/11-9 "Leviticus 11:9-12 - Clean and Unclean Aquatic Animals")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "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. 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, this translates into exercising spiritual discernment in all areas—what we consume (not just physically, but spiritually through media 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.

#### 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?**
* **How can I live distinctly from the surrounding culture in a way that reflects God's character, without becoming legalistic or judgmental?**
* **What "fins and scales" (i.e., clear, observable criteria) does the New Testament provide for living a life pleasing to God?**

### 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. 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 scavengering creatures. 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 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 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 revolutionary teaching, later affirmed by Peter's vision in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter's Vision and Cornelius"), 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.