Deuteronomy 14 KJV: Identity Through Diet and Stewardship
Deuteronomy 14 documents the dietary restrictions that distinguish Israel as a holy people, identifying which animals are 'clean' for consumption. It articulates the law of the tithe, specifically the 'Third Year Tithe,' which was reserved to provide for the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow.
For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.
And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.
Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Explore the connection between self-discipline and social welfare, where personal eating habits and financial giving are acts of worship. Begin your study with deuteronomy 14 summary.
The tithe was originally intended to be a party—families were to eat their tithe 'before the Lord' in celebration, showing that God's laws are built for joy. The 'Word Secret' is Badal, meaning 'to divide' or 'distinguish,' which is the root of the concept of being 'holy' or set apart. Discover the riches with deuteronomy 14 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Unlock the hidden deuteronomy 14 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.
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