“And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.”
This verse is a part of the dietary laws given by God to the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy. The passage discusses the distinction between clean and unclean animals for the purpose of dietary consumption.
In the context of the Old Testament, the concept of clean and unclean animals was significant for the Israelites. God provided them with specific instructions regarding which animals they were permitted to eat and which were considered unclean. The distinction was based on the presence of fins and scales in the aquatic creatures. Animals without both fins and scales were considered unclean and were not to be consumed.
The dietary laws found in the Old Testament served several purposes. First, they were intended to set the Israelites apart from other nations and establish their identity as God’s chosen people. By adhering to these dietary restrictions, they demonstrated their obedience to God’s commands and their commitment to holiness.
Second, the dietary laws also had practical implications for health and hygiene. Many of the unclean animals listed in the Old Testament were known to carry diseases or parasites that could be harmful to human health. By avoiding these animals, the Israelites were protecting themselves from potential health risks.
It is important to note that these dietary laws were specific to the Israelites under the Old Covenant and were part of the ceremonial and ritual practices of their worship. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Covenant and introduced a new covenant, emphasizing the importance of faith in Him rather than adherence to the ceremonial laws.
In Mark 7:14-23, Jesus declared all foods clean, signifying that dietary restrictions no longer have the same significance under the new covenant. The focus shifted from external rituals to the internal condition of the heart. Christians today are not bound by the Old Testament dietary laws, but are encouraged to exercise wisdom and self-control in their dietary choices, taking care of their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
In summary, Deuteronomy 14:10 is a verse that outlines the dietary restrictions for the Israelites under the Old Covenant. While it had symbolic and practical purposes for the Israelites, Christians are not bound by these dietary laws today. Instead, we are called to honor God in our bodies and exercise wisdom in our dietary choices, recognizing that our faith in Jesus Christ is of primary importance.
