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Deuteronomy 14

Deuteronomy 14 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Deuteronomy 14 gives practical instructions for Israel's holy life. It covers food laws, standards of purity, and a pattern for tithing that includes worship, rejoicing, and care for those in need.

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What happens in Deuteronomy 14?

This chapter begins by reminding Israel that they belong to the LORD as his chosen people, then sets out what kinds of animals, birds, and sea creatures may or may not be eaten. It also forbids certain practices tied to mourning and stresses that Israel must live differently from surrounding nations. The second half turns to giving: a yearly tithe set apart for worship before the LORD, provisions for those who live far away, and a three-year pattern of storing produce for the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow.

Deuteronomy 14 continues Moses' covenant teaching after warnings about false worship and idolatry. It applies Israel's calling to daily life by linking holiness with food, worship, and generosity. The chapter sits in a section where Moses explains how the people should live as God's possession while preparing to enter the land.

Themes to notice

  • HolinessIsrael is called to live distinctly because they belong to the LORD.
  • PurityThe food laws draw a clear line between what is clean and unclean.
  • GivingTithes support worship and provide for the Levite and the vulnerable.

Questions for Deuteronomy 14

  • What do the food laws teach Israel about belonging to the LORD?
  • How does the tithe in this chapter connect worship with joy and generosity?
  • Why are the Levite, foreigner, fatherless, and widow included in the final provision?

Read the full text of Deuteronomy 14 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Deuteronomy 14

Clean and Unclean Animals

1You are sons of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead,2for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

3You must not eat any detestable thing.

4These are the animals that you may eat:

The ox, the sheep, the goat,

5the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer,

the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope,

and the mountain sheep.

6You may eat any animal that has a split hoof divided in two and that chews the cud.

7But of those that chew the cud or have a completely divided hoof, you are not to eat the following:

the camel,

the rabbit,

or the rock badger.

Although they chew the cud, they do not have a divided hoof. They are unclean for you,

8as well as the pig; though it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. It is unclean for you. You must not eat its meat or touch its carcass.9Of all the creatures that live in the water, you may eat anything with fins and scales,10but you may not eat anything that does not have fins and scales; it is unclean for you.11You may eat any clean bird,

12but these you may not eat:

the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,

13the red kite, the falcon, any kind of kite,

14any kind of raven,

15the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

16the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,

17the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant,

18the stork, any kind of heron,

the hoopoe, or the bat.

19All flying insects are unclean for you; they may not be eaten.20But you may eat any clean bird.

21You are not to eat any carcass; you may give it to the foreigner residing within your gates, and he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Giving Tithes

22You must be sure to set aside a tenth of all the produce brought forth each year from your fields.23And you are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.24But if the distance is too great for you to carry that with which the LORD your God has blessed you, because the place where the LORD your God will choose to put His Name is too far away,25then exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place the LORD your God will choose.26Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household.27And do not neglect the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.28At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and lay it up within your gates.29Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.

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