Exodus 22:31

And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat [any] flesh [that is] torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.

And ye shall be holy {H6944} men {H582} unto me: neither shall ye eat {H398} any flesh {H1320} that is torn of beasts {H2966} in the field {H7704}; ye shall cast {H7993} it to the dogs {H3611}.

"You are to be my specially separated people. Therefore you are not to eat any flesh torn by wild animals in the countryside; rather, throw it out for the dogs.

You are to be My holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; you are to throw it to the dogs.

And ye shall be holy men unto me: therefore ye shall not eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.

Commentary

Exodus 22:31 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22–23:33), a collection of civil and ceremonial laws given by God to Moses for the people of Israel after the Ten Commandments. This verse emphasizes the foundational principle of holiness that God expected from His chosen people, connecting it directly to their dietary practices.

Context

Following the monumental revelation at Mount Sinai, God provided Israel with detailed statutes and ordinances to govern their communal and individual lives. These laws were not arbitrary but designed to cultivate a holy nation, distinct from the pagan cultures around them. The preceding verses in Exodus 22 deal with various legal matters concerning property, social justice, and respect for authority. Verse 31 specifically extends God's command for holiness into the realm of daily sustenance, reinforcing the idea that their entire lives, including what they ate, were to reflect their covenant relationship with Him.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Separation: The primary command, "And ye shall be holy men unto me," underscores Israel's identity as a people set apart for God's exclusive service. This call to holiness permeates the entire Mosaic Law, demanding both ritual purity and moral integrity. It signifies a consecrated life, dedicated to God's purposes, echoing the broader theme of God's own holiness (Leviticus 11:44).
  • Dietary Purity: The prohibition against eating "flesh that is torn of beasts in the field" was a significant aspect of maintaining ritual purity. Animals killed by predators were not ritually slaughtered according to the prescribed methods, rendering their meat unclean and unfit for consumption by God's holy people. This law served to distinguish Israel from neighboring nations who might consume such carrion.
  • Respect for Life and Proper Disposal: Instead of being consumed, the defiled meat was to be "cast it to the dogs." This instruction highlights the importance of proper disposal of unclean things, preventing contamination and reinforcing the sacredness of the covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "holy" is qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ), meaning "set apart," "consecrated," or "sacred." When applied to people, it implies a separation from the common or profane for a sacred purpose, reflecting God's own nature. The phrase "torn of beasts" comes from the Hebrew trefah (טְרֵפָה), which specifically refers to an animal that has been attacked, maimed, or killed by a wild animal, not ritually slaughtered. This term later became foundational to the concept of non-kosher food in Jewish dietary laws (Kashrut).

Practical Application

While the specific dietary restriction regarding torn meat is part of the Old Covenant ceremonial laws and is no longer binding for Christians (as seen in Mark 7:19 and Acts 10:15), the underlying principle of holiness remains profoundly relevant. Believers are still called to be "holy men" (and women) unto the Lord. This means:

  • Living a Set-Apart Life: Christians are to be distinct from the world's values and practices, reflecting God's character in their conduct, ethics, and moral choices. As 1 Peter 1:16 states, "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
  • Purity of Heart and Action: Holiness extends beyond external rituals to an inward purity of thought and motive. It involves rejecting anything that would defile one's relationship with God or harm one's witness to others.
  • Integrity and Consecration: Our lives, in all their aspects—our work, relationships, and even our consumption—should be consecrated to God and align with His righteous standards.

Exodus 22:31 reminds us that God desires a people who are wholly devoted to Him, not just in grand acts of worship, but in the seemingly mundane details of daily life.

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 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

  • Ezekiel 4:14

    Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.

  • Leviticus 19:2

    Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God [am] holy.

  • Leviticus 22:8

    That which dieth of itself, or is torn [with beasts], he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I [am] the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 14:21

    Ye shall not eat [of] any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that [is] in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.

  • 1 Peter 1:15

    But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

  • 1 Peter 1:16

    Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

  • Acts 15:20

    But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.
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