from גָּרַר; the cud (as scraping the throat); cud.
Transliteration:gêrâh
Pronunciation:gay-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term gêrâh (`{{H1625}}`) exclusively denotes the "cud," the partially digested food that certain animals regurgitate and re-chew. Its etymological root is gārar (`{{H1641}}`), a verb meaning "to scrape," "to drag," or "to chew." This etymological connection aptly describes the physical action involved in rumination—the scraping or grinding motion of the cud as it is brought back into the mouth for further mastication. Semantically, gêrâh (`{{H1625}}`) possesses a very narrow and specific meaning, confined solely to this biological process. It functions as a technical term within the context of the Mosaic dietary laws, defining a characteristic of animals deemed ritually clean.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word gêrâh (`{{H1625}}`) appears exclusively within the Pentateuch, specifically in the legal texts delineating clean and unclean animals for consumption. It is always presented in conjunction with the characteristic of having a "split hoof" (שֶׁסַע פַּרְסָה, *shessa' parsa*) as a dual requirement for an animal to be considered permissible.
* **Leviticus 11:** This chapter provides the foundational list of dietary regulations.
* [[Leviticus 11:3]] establishes the general rule: "Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat." This verse sets the two indispensable criteria.
* [[Leviticus 11:4-7]] then lists specific animals that fail to meet both criteria, thus being declared unclean. For example, the camel, rock badger, and hare are noted as chewing the cud but not having a split hoof, while the pig has a split hoof but does not chew the cud. This highlights the strict necessity of both conditions.
* [[Leviticus 11:26]] reiterates the impurity associated with animals that do not fulfill these requirements.
* **Deuteronomy 14:** This chapter largely reiterates the dietary laws found in Leviticus, confirming their importance for the Israelite community.
* [[Deuteronomy 14:6]] restates the general rule for clean animals, mirroring [[Leviticus 11:3]].
* [[Deuteronomy 14:7-8]] again lists the camel, hare, rock badger, and pig as unclean, reinforcing the dual criteria.
The consistent pairing of "chewing the cud" with "having a split hoof" underscores their critical role in distinguishing ritually pure animals from impure ones. The context is purely legal and ritual, designed to establish boundaries for the Israelites' diet, thereby marking them as a people set apart for Yahweh.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root gārar (`{{H1641}}`):** As the verbal root from which gêrâh (`{{H1625}}`) is derived, gārar means "to scrape" or "to chew." This connection emphasizes the active, physical process of rumination.
* **parsa (`{{H6536}}`):** Meaning "hoof" or "claw," this term frequently appears in conjunction with shessa' (`{{H8157}}`, "split" or "cloven"). The phrase "split hoof" is the indispensable companion to "chewing the cud" in the biblical dietary laws, forming the two defining physical characteristics for clean land animals.
* **ṭāmē' (`{{H2931}}`):** This adjective means "unclean" or "impure." It describes the ritual status of animals that do not meet the criteria of chewing the cud and having a split hoof, and consequently, the state of those who consume them or touch their carcasses.
* **ṭāhôr (`{{H2889}}`):** Meaning "clean" or "pure," this adjective describes animals that fulfill both criteria, making them permissible for consumption.
* **Dietary Laws (Kashrut):** The broader legal framework, primarily found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, within which gêrâh (`{{H1625}}`) functions. These laws were central to establishing a clear distinction between the sacred and the profane, and the clean and the unclean, for the Israelite community, thereby shaping their identity.
### Theological Significance
The concept of "chewing the cud" (`{{H1625}}`) transcends mere biological observation in the biblical text; it is a divinely mandated criterion for ritual purity, imbued with profound theological implications.
* **Distinction and Holiness:** The dietary laws, including the gêrâh requirement, served as a tangible means of setting Israel apart from the surrounding nations. By adhering to these unique regulations, Israel affirmed its identity as a holy people, consecrated to Yahweh ([[Leviticus 11:44-45]]). The act of rumination, therefore, became a visible sign of this theological separation.
* **Obedience and Trust:** The laws concerning gêrâh (`{{H1625}}`) were fundamentally a test of Israel's obedience to God's commands. While some prohibitions might have had practical benefits (e.g., avoiding certain parasites), the primary purpose often appears to be the cultivation of trust in God's wisdom and authority, even when the rationale was not immediately apparent. Adherence demonstrated submission to divine will.
* **Symbolic Purity and Spiritual Reflection:** While the literal meaning is biological, some theological interpretations have drawn allegorical parallels between the physical act of chewing the cud and the spiritual act of meditating on God's word. Just as a ruminant re-digests its food for complete nourishment, so too should believers "chew" on Scripture, reflecting deeply and repeatedly to extract its full spiritual sustenance and wisdom ([[Psalm 1:2]]). This is an application of the concept to spiritual life, rather than a direct theological statement from the text itself. The dual criteria of the split hoof (suggesting discernment or walking a distinct path) and chewing the cud (implying thorough processing rather than superficial consumption) together underscore a holistic call to purity and thoughtful engagement with life under God's covenant.
### Summary
The Hebrew word gêrâh (`{{H1625}}`) precisely translates to "cud," the re-chewed food of ruminant animals. Its usage is strictly confined to the dietary laws presented in the Pentateuch, particularly in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Within these legal frameworks, gêrâh (`{{H1625}}`) functions as one of two essential criteria—alongside the "split hoof"—for determining which land animals are ritually clean and permissible for consumption by the Israelites. Etymologically, it is derived from the verb gārar (`{{H1641}}`), "to scrape" or "to chew," highlighting the physical action of rumination. Theologically, the requirement to chew the cud was a pivotal aspect of Israel's covenantal identity, serving to distinguish them as a holy people set apart for Yahweh. It underscored principles of obedience, trust in divine commands, and a tangible expression of their unique relationship with God. While primarily a literal biological term within a legal context, gêrâh (`{{H1625}}`) has also been allegorically understood to symbolize the deep, meditative processing of God's word, emphasizing thorough spiritual nourishment.
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