“Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat them: the unclean and the clean shall eat of them alike.”
This verse is a part of Moses’ instructions to the Israelites regarding the proper worship and offering of sacrifices to God. In Deuteronomy 12, Moses emphasises the importance of centralising worship in one place, which was eventually established in Jerusalem.
The verse you mentioned, Deuteronomy 12:22, addresses the dietary provisions regarding the consumption of certain animals.
Dietary Provisions:In the Mosaic Law, God established dietary laws that classified certain animals as “clean” and others as “unclean.” These distinctions were not arbitrary but were given for specific reasons, including health, hygiene, and ceremonial purposes. The clean animals were considered suitable for consumption, while the unclean animals were prohibited.
The Roebuck and the Hart:In this verse, Moses mentions two specific types of deer, the roebuck and the hart. The instruction is that both clean and unclean animals could be eaten. The clean animals, such as deer, were permitted to be consumed as food. This verse indicates that the distinction between clean and unclean animals did not apply to the consumption of hunted game. However, this allowance only applied in specific circumstances and did not override the general dietary laws established elsewhere in the Mosaic Law.
Equality in Consumption:Another key point in this verse is the emphasis on equality. It states that both the clean and the unclean shall eat the roebuck and the hart alike. This means that when it came to consuming game animals, there was no distinction between clean and unclean animals. All individuals, regardless of their ceremonial status or purity, were allowed to partake in the consumption of these animals.
Symbolism and Application:While the verse primarily addresses dietary regulations, it also carries symbolic and practical implications. Symbolically, it emphasises the equal standing and access to blessings for all members of the community. In God’s eyes, all are equal, regardless of their ceremonial or ritual status. Practically, it reminds the Israelites to share their resources and not to withhold or exclude others from enjoying the provisions that God has given.
In summary, Deuteronomy 12:22 affirms that both clean and unclean animals could be eaten when it came to the consumption of certain hunted game, such as the roebuck and the hart. It also highlights the equality of all individuals in partaking of these provisions, emphasising that the clean and unclean could eat of them alike.
