### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word τετράπους (transliterated as *tetrápous*, `{{G5074}}`) is a compound word derived from τέσσαρες (*tessares*, `{{G5064}}`), meaning "four," and πούς (*pous*, `{{G4228}}`), meaning "foot." Its literal and primary meaning is "four-footed" or "quadruped." It refers specifically to animals that possess four limbs used for locomotion. In its biblical usage, the term consistently denotes this literal sense, lacking any significant metaphorical or abstract semantic range beyond its direct zoological classification. It functions as a descriptive noun, identifying a particular category of living creatures.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term τετράπους appears exclusively in the New Testament within the narrative of Peter's vision, as recorded in the Book of Acts. Its occurrences are found in [[Acts 10:12]] and [[Acts 11:6]]. In both instances, τετράπους is used in conjunction with other categories of animals—wild beasts (θηρία), creeping things (ἑρπετά), and birds of the air (πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ)—to describe the contents of the large sheet that descends from heaven.
The context is crucial for understanding the significance of this seemingly simple word. Peter, a devout Jew, is presented with a vision containing animals that were considered unclean according to the Mosaic Law (e.g., Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14). The divine command, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat," directly challenges the deeply ingrained dietary restrictions and the broader concept of ritual purity that defined Jewish identity. The inclusion of "four-footed animals" alongside other categories emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this divine declaration, encompassing all forms of animal life previously deemed unfit for consumption by Jews. This vision serves as a pivotal moment, preparing Peter for his encounter with Cornelius, a Gentile, and foreshadowing the radical inclusion of non-Jews into the nascent Christian community without requiring adherence to the full Mosaic Law.
### Related Words & Concepts
As noted, τετράπους is formed from `{{G5064}}` (τέσσαρες, "four") and `{{G4228}}` (πούς, "foot"). Its direct lexical relatives are its constituent parts. Conceptually, τετράπους is part of a broader classification of living creatures (ζῷα, `{{G2226}}`). In the context of Peter's vision, it is consistently grouped with:
* θηρία (*thēria*, `{{G2342}}`): "wild beasts"
* ἑρπετά (*herpeta*, `{{G2061}}`): "creeping things"
* πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ (*peteina tou ouranou*, `{{G4071}}`): "birds of the air"
These categories collectively represent the full spectrum of animal life, particularly those that were subject to the clean/unclean distinctions of the Old Testament Law. The theological concept of "unclean" animals is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in books like Leviticus and Deuteronomy, where specific dietary and purity laws are detailed. The New Testament's treatment of τετράπους, therefore, engages directly with these foundational Old Testament categories and the broader theological framework of ritual purity.
### Theological Significance
While τετράπους itself is a descriptive term, its presence in Peter's vision carries profound theological significance. It functions as a synecdoche, representing the entire category of animals deemed "unclean" under the Mosaic Law. The divine declaration, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common," (e.g., [[Acts 10:15]]) directly abrogates these Old Testament distinctions.
The primary theological implication is the breaking down of barriers, not merely concerning food, but more significantly, concerning people. The "unclean" animals symbolize the Gentiles, who were considered ritually impure and outside the covenant community by many Jews. God's declaration that these animals are now "clean" serves as a divine paradigm shift, revealing His intention to cleanse and include all peoples—Jew and Gentile—into His salvific plan through Christ.
This vision underscores the universality of the Gospel and the abolition of the ceremonial aspects of the Law that separated Jew from Gentile. It highlights God's sovereign authority to redefine purity and inclusion, demonstrating that salvation is not contingent upon adherence to external rituals or ethnic distinctions, but upon faith in Christ. The inclusion of τετράπους, therefore, points to the radical inclusivity of the New Covenant, where all who believe are made clean and acceptable before God.
### Summary
The Greek word τετράπους (`{{G5074}}`) literally means "four-footed" or "quadruped." Its limited but crucial biblical occurrences are found in [[Acts 10:12]] and [[Acts 11:6]], within the narrative of Peter's pivotal vision. In this context, τετράπους, along with other animal categories, represents those creatures previously considered ritually "unclean" under the Mosaic Law. Theologically, its inclusion in the divine declaration to Peter signifies the abrogation of Old Testament dietary laws and, more profoundly, symbolizes the breaking down of the barrier between Jew and Gentile. It underscores the universal scope of God's grace, revealing His intent to cleanse and include all people into the family of faith, thereby affirming the radical inclusivity and transformative power of the Gospel in Christ.
TRV