Deuteronomy 14:6
And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.
Deuteronomy 14:6 (KJV)
Context
Deuteronomy records Moses’ final speeches to Israel before they entered the Promised Land. In this chapter, Moses gives the people God’s rules about which animals they may eat. This verse states two clear tests for a land animal to be clean and fit for food.
Meaning
The first test is that the animal must “part the hoof” and “cleave the cleft into two claws.” This means the hoof is completely divided into two distinct parts, not merely split partway. The second test is that the animal must “chew the cud.” This refers to rumination, the process of bringing food back from the stomach and chewing it again. Both conditions must be met together. Cattle, sheep, and goats pass both tests, while animals that fail either one are unclean.
Biblical connections
The same rule appears in Leviticus 11:3, showing that God gave this law consistently to His people. The next verses in Deuteronomy 14 give examples of animals that fail one test, such as the camel and the hare, which chew the cud but do not divide the hoof, and the swine, which divides the hoof but does not chew the cud. These examples help Israel understand the boundary clearly.
Application
These dietary laws were given to Israel under the Mosaic Covenant and are not binding on Christians today. Jesus declared all foods clean, as Mark 7:19 records. Yet the principle of discernment remains. Believers are still called to distinguish what is good and acceptable in their daily choices. The two-fold test can also illustrate the need for both outward obedience and inward reality in following God.
Reflection
This verse reminds us that God cares about the details of everyday life, including what His people ate. His instructions set Israel apart from other nations and taught them holiness in ordinary matters. For the Christian, the call to holiness still touches every area of life, inviting us to obey God fully and to examine both our actions and our hearts.
