Deuteronomy 15:22

KJV

Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean [person shall eat it] alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt eat {H398} it within thy gates {H8179}: the unclean {H2931} and the clean {H2889} person shall eat it alike {H3162}, as the roebuck {H6643}, and as the hart {H354}.

Complete Jewish Bible

rather, eat it on your own property; the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, like the gazelle or the deer.

Berean Standard Bible

Eat it within your gates; both the ceremonially unclean and clean may eat it as they would a gazelle or a deer.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle, and as the hart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 15:22 provides a crucial clarification within the Mosaic Law, distinguishing the consumption of common meat from that of sacrificial animals. It stipulates that wild game, exemplified by the roebuck and hart, could be eaten freely by any Israelite—whether ritually clean or unclean—within their own towns or homes. This provision highlights God's gracious and practical care for the daily sustenance of His people, ensuring that basic physical needs were met regardless of temporary ritual status, which was primarily relevant for sacred activities and consumption of holy offerings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 15:22 appears within a section of Deuteronomy (chapters 12-26) that elaborates on the laws given at Mount Sinai, adapting them for the Israelites' future life in the Promised Land. Specifically, this verse immediately follows instructions regarding the firstborn of cattle and sheep in [Deuteronomy 15:19-21](/deuteronomy/15-19 "Deuteronomy 15:19-21 - Law of the Firstborn"). These firstborn animals were consecrated to the Lord, requiring male firstborns to be sacrificed and their meat eaten only by ritually clean persons at the central sanctuary. In stark contrast, [Deuteronomy 15:22](/deuteronomy/15-22 "Deuteronomy 15:22 - Eating Common Meat") clarifies that common, non-sacrificial meat, particularly wild game, was exempt from these stringent ritual purity and location requirements. It echoes and expands upon similar permissions found earlier in [Deuteronomy 12:15](/deuteronomy/12-15 "Deuteronomy 12:15 - Eating Common Meat") and [Deuteronomy 12:22](/deuteronomy/12-22 "Deuteronomy 12:22 - Eating Common Meat"), which permitted the slaughter and consumption of ordinary clean animals anywhere in the land, not just at the sanctuary.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy serves as Moses's farewell address to the second generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they prepared to enter Canaan. Their nomadic wilderness journey was ending, and they were about to transition to a settled agricultural life. This shift necessitated practical adjustments to the Law. A key development was the centralization of worship at a single sanctuary (as mandated in [Deuteronomy 12](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - Laws Concerning Worship")), which meant not all Israelites would live near the place where sacrifices could be offered. The dietary laws, therefore, needed to accommodate daily life in dispersed communities. The concept of "unclean" (Hebrew: *ṭāmē’*) refers to a state of ritual impurity, often temporary, incurred through contact with dead bodies, certain bodily discharges, or other prescribed circumstances (e.g., [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - Laws of Purification")). While such impurity barred individuals from sacred spaces and participation in cultic rituals, [Deuteronomy 15:22](/deuteronomy/15-22 "Deuteronomy 15:22 - Eating Common Meat") demonstrates God's practical provision for basic sustenance outside of the cultic sphere.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores God's **practical provision and grace** for His people's daily needs, demonstrating that His laws were not solely focused on ritual purity but also on the well-being of the community. Secondly, it highlights the crucial **distinction between the sacred (holy) and the common (profane)**. While sacrificial animals and their consumption were strictly regulated by purity laws and confined to the central sanctuary, common food sources like wild game were not subject to these same restrictions. This distinction allowed for a functional separation between cultic worship and everyday life. Lastly, the allowance for the "unclean" to eat common meat illustrates the **flexibility and compassion** woven into the fabric of the Law, preventing ritual status from becoming an impediment to basic sustenance, a theme also evident in [Deuteronomy 12:15](/deuteronomy/12-15 "Deuteronomy 12:15 - Eating Common Meat").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Roebuck (Hebrew, _tsebî'_):** This term refers to a type of gazelle or deer, known for its agility and grace. It was considered a clean animal according to the dietary laws in [Deuteronomy 14:5](/deuteronomy/14-5 "Deuteronomy 14:5 - Clean Animals") and was a common source of wild game in the ancient Near East. Its inclusion here signifies that the discussion pertains to hunted, non-domesticated animals.
* **Hart (Hebrew, _’ayyāl'_):** This word denotes a male deer or stag. Like the roebuck, the hart was also a clean animal permissible for consumption under Mosaic law ([Deuteronomy 14:5](/deuteronomy/14-5 "Deuteronomy 14:5 - Clean Animals")). Both "roebuck" and "hart" are used as illustrative examples of wild game, emphasizing that the meat being discussed is not from domesticated animals raised for sacrifice or regular slaughter, but from animals hunted in the wild.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭāmē’'_):** In this context, "unclean" refers to a state of ritual impurity, not moral defilement. An individual could become ritually unclean through various means, such as touching a dead body ([Numbers 19:11](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11 - Uncleanness from a Dead Body")), childbirth ([Leviticus 12:2](/leviticus/12-2 "Leviticus 12:2 - Uncleanness After Childbirth")), or certain skin diseases ([Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Leprosy")). While ritually unclean persons were temporarily barred from participating in sacred worship or entering the sanctuary, this verse explicitly states that their impurity did not prevent them from consuming common, non-sacred food.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt eat it within thy gates":** This phrase indicates that the consumption of this particular type of meat (wild game) was permitted anywhere within the Israelite towns or settlements, as opposed to being restricted to the central sanctuary. This contrasts sharply with the regulations for sacrificial meat, which often required consumption at the holy place or within the tabernacle/temple precincts. It highlights a decentralized approach to eating common food.
* **"the unclean and the clean [person shall eat it] alike":** This is the most significant clause, emphasizing that the ritual status of the individual was irrelevant for consuming this type of meat. Whether a person was in a state of ritual purity or impurity, they were equally permitted to eat wild game. This demonstrates God's gracious provision, ensuring that even those temporarily excluded from sacred activities due to ritual uncleanness were not deprived of basic sustenance. It underscores that ritual purity laws primarily governed interaction with the sacred, not everyday life.
* **"as the roebuck, and as the hart":** These specific examples clarify the type of meat being discussed. They are clean animals according to Mosaic dietary laws, but they are wild game, not domesticated animals. This reinforces the distinction between animals specifically designated for sacrifice or common slaughter (which had different rules) and those hunted for food. The comparison highlights that the consumption of wild game was considered a common, non-sacred activity, hence the relaxed purity requirements.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Deuteronomy 15:22](/deuteronomy/15-22 "Deuteronomy 15:22 - Eating Common Meat") is **Contrast**. The verse explicitly contrasts the rules for eating common meat (wild game) with the implicit, but well-understood, stricter rules for consuming sacrificial meat (as detailed in [Deuteronomy 15:19-21](/deuteronomy/15-19 "Deuteronomy 15:19-21 - Law of the Firstborn") and elsewhere). This contrast highlights the distinction between the sacred and the profane in Israelite life. Furthermore, the use of **Examples/Illustration** with "roebuck and hart" serves to clarify precisely what kind of meat is being referred to, grounding the legal instruction in concrete, relatable terms for the Israelite audience. The phrase "unclean and clean alike" also employs a form of **Inclusivity**, emphasizing God's broad provision and grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 15:22 profoundly illustrates God's character as both holy and merciful, practical and just. It reveals a divine wisdom that balances the demands of ritual purity for sacred worship with the realities of daily human existence. God's law was not an oppressive burden but a framework for life that included compassionate provisions for all, even those in a state of temporary ritual impurity. This verse underscores the distinction between the sacred realm, which required strict adherence to purity laws, and the common realm of everyday life, where God's grace extended to ensure basic sustenance for every member of the community. It teaches that while holiness is paramount in approaching God, it does not preclude His practical care for His people's physical well-being.

* [Deuteronomy 12:15](/deuteronomy/12-15 "Deuteronomy 12:15 - Eating Common Meat"): "Nevertheless, you may slaughter and eat meat within all your gates, whatever your heart desires, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and the deer."
* [Deuteronomy 12:22](/deuteronomy/12-22 "Deuteronomy 12:22 - Eating Common Meat"): "Just as the gazelle or the deer is eaten, so you shall eat it; the unclean and the clean alike may eat of it."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 15:22 offers a powerful lesson in God's grace and practical care for His people, even within the seemingly rigid framework of the Mosaic Law. It reminds us that God is deeply concerned with our physical needs and daily sustenance, not just our spiritual purity. While ritual purity was essential for approaching God in worship, it never became a barrier to basic human needs like food. This principle can be applied to our lives today: God cares for the whole person—body and soul. We are called to pursue holiness, but our imperfections or temporary struggles do not cut us off from God's fundamental provisions or His love. This verse encourages us to see God's grace woven into the fabric of daily life, reminding us that His provisions are often more expansive and compassionate than we might initially perceive. It invites us to trust in His holistic care and to extend similar grace and practical compassion to others, recognizing that everyone, regardless of their current state, is worthy of basic human dignity and provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge any preconceived notions about the rigidity or harshness of Old Testament law?**
* **In what ways does God's provision for the "unclean" in this verse speak to His character of grace and compassion?**
* **How can we apply the principle of God's holistic care (for both spiritual and physical needs) in our own lives and in our communities today?**
* **Where do we see a modern-day equivalent of "unclean" status that might prevent someone from receiving basic provision or dignity, and how might we respond with grace?**

### FAQ
**Why was it necessary to explicitly state that the unclean could eat wild game?**

Answer: It was necessary because the default expectation for consuming meat, especially in a society governed by ritual purity laws, was often tied to cleanliness. Sacrificial meat, for example, could only be eaten by ritually clean persons in designated holy places ([Leviticus 7:19-20](/leviticus/7-19 "Leviticus 7:19-20 - Eating Sacrificial Meat")). The Israelites were accustomed to strict rules regarding purity and food. Therefore, [Deuteronomy 15:22](/deuteronomy/15-22 "Deuteronomy 15:22 - Eating Common Meat") provided a crucial clarification: while ritual purity was paramount for sacred activities and holy food, it did not extend to common, non-sacred meat like wild game. This ensured that no one, regardless of their temporary ritual status, would be deprived of basic sustenance, highlighting God's practical and gracious provision.

**What is the difference between "clean" and "unclean" animals versus "clean" and "unclean" persons in this context?**

Answer: The distinction is critical. "Clean" and "unclean" animals refer to the categories of animals permissible or forbidden for consumption according to Mosaic dietary laws ([Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals"), [Deuteronomy 14](/deuteronomy/14 "Deuteronomy 14 - Clean and Unclean Animals")). Roebucks and harts were "clean" animals, meaning they were permissible to eat. "Clean" and "unclean" persons, however, refer to an individual's ritual status. A person could become ritually "unclean" through various means (e.g., touching a dead body, certain bodily discharges) and would then be temporarily barred from sacred spaces or activities, including consuming sacred offerings. [Deuteronomy 15:22](/deuteronomy/15-22 "Deuteronomy 15:22 - Eating Common Meat") clarifies that even if a person was ritually "unclean," they were still permitted to eat "clean" animals that were considered common food (like wild game), as these were not tied to sacred rituals.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 15:22, with its compassionate allowance for the ritually unclean to eat common meat, foreshadows the radical inclusivity and grace of the New Covenant established in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament Law meticulously distinguished between clean and unclean, sacred and common, Jesus ultimately fulfilled and transcended these distinctions. He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), demonstrating that true defilement comes not from external ritual impurity but from the heart ([Mark 7:15-23](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15-23 - What Defiles a Person")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus broke down the barriers between clean and unclean, Jew and Gentile, bringing all who believe into a new spiritual purity. His ministry consistently reached out to those considered "unclean" by society—lepers, tax collectors, sinners—offering healing, acceptance, and salvation. The vision of Peter in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter's Vision and Cornelius") explicitly declares all foods clean, symbolizing the abolition of ritual dietary laws and the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family. In Christ, the ultimate "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), all are invited to partake in the spiritual sustenance He provides, regardless of their past status or perceived impurity. His grace ensures that no one is deprived of the Bread of Life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) due to ritual or social distinctions, for He has made us all clean through His blood ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")).

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

Deuteronomy 12:21

If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.

Deuteronomy 12:22

Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat them: the unclean and the clean shall eat [of] them alike.

Deuteronomy 12:15

Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.

Deuteronomy 12:16

Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.