---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Deuteronomy 14"
description: "CHAPTER 14  Deuteronomy 14:1;
Deuteronomy 14:2. GOD"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/deuteronomy/14"
---

CHAPTER 14

[Deuteronomy 14:1](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/14/1);
[Deuteronomy 14:2](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/14/2). GOD'S
PEOPLE MUST
NOT DISFIGURE
THEMSELVES IN MOURNING.

**1. ye shall not cut yourselves . . .
for the dead**—It was a common practice of idolaters, both on
ceremonious occasions of their worship (), and at funerals (compare [Jeremiah 16:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/16/6);
[Jeremiah 41:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/41/5)), to make ghastly
incisions on their faces and other parts of their persons with their
finger nails or sharp instruments. The making a large bare space
between the eyebrows was another heathen custom in honor of the dead
(see on [Jeremiah 41:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/41/5); [Jeremiah 41:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/41/5)). Such indecorous and degrading usages, being extravagant
and unnatural expressions of hopeless sorrow ([Jeremiah 41:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/41/5)), were to be carefully avoided by the Israelites, as
derogatory to the character, and inconsistent with the position, of
those who were the people of God [[Jeremiah 41:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/41/5)].
[Jeremiah 41:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/41/5). WHAT MAY
BE EATEN,
AND WHAT NOT.

**3. Thou shalt not eat any abominable
thing**—that is, anything forbidden as unclean (see on ).
. OF BEASTS.

**5. The hart**—(see on ).
**fallow deer**—The Hebrew
word (*Jachmur*) so rendered, does not represent the fallow
deer, which is unknown in Western Asia, but an antelope (*Oryx
leucoryx*), called by the Arabs, *jazmar.* It is of a white
color, black at the extremities, and a bright red on the thighs. It
was used at Solomon's table.
**wild goat**—The word *akko*
is different from that commonly used for a wild goat ([1 Samuel 24:2](../../../kjv/1-samuel/24/2);
[Psalms 104:18](../../../kjv/psalms/104/18); [Proverbs 5:19](../../../kjv/proverbs/5/19)),
and it is supposed to be a goat-deer, having the body of a stag, but
the head, horns, and beard of a goat. An animal of this sort is found
in the East, and called *Lerwee* [SHAW,
*Travels*].
**pygarg**—a species of
antelope (*Oryx addax*) with white buttocks, wreathed horns two
feet in length, and standing about three feet seven inches high at
the shoulders. It is common in the tracks which the Israelites had
frequented [SHAW].
**wild ox**—supposed to be
the *Nubian Oryx,* which differs from the *Oryx leucoryx*
(formerly mentioned) by its black color; and it is, moreover, of
larger stature and more slender frame, with longer and more curved
horns. It is called *Bekkar-El-Wash* by the Arabs.
**chamois**—rendered by the
*Septuagint* Cameleopard; but, by others who rightly judge it
must have been an animal more familiar to the Hebrews, it is thought
to be the *Kebsch* (*Ovis tragelaphus*), rather larger than
a common sheep, covered not with wool, but with reddish hair—a
Syrian sheep-goat.
[Proverbs 5:19](../../../kjv/proverbs/5/19). OF BIRDS.

**11-20. Of all clean birds ye shall
eat**—(See on ).

**13. glede**—thought to be the
same as that rendered *vulture* ( see on ).

**11-20. Of all clean birds ye shall
eat**—(See on ).

**15. the cuckow**—more probably
the sea-gull. [See on ].

**16. the swan**—rather, the goose
[MICHAELIS]. [See on ].

**17. gier eagle**—The Hebrew word
*Rachemah* is manifestly identical with *Rachamah,* the
name which the Arabs give to the common vulture of Western Asia and
Egypt (*Neophron percnopterus*). [See on ].
**cormorant**—rather, the
*plungeon;* a seafowl. [See on ].

**18. the lapwing**—the upupa or
hoop: a beautiful bird, but of the most unclean habits. [See on ].

**11-20. Of all clean birds ye shall
eat**—(See on ).

**21. Ye shall not eat of any thing
that dieth of itself**—(See on ; ).
**thou shalt give it unto the
stranger that is in thy gates**—not a proselyte, for he, as well
as an Israelite, was subject to this law; but a heathen traveller or
sojourner.
**Thou shalt not seethe a kid
in his mother's milk**—This is the third place in which the
prohibition is repeated [[Exodus 23:19](../../../kjv/exodus/23/19);
[Exodus 34:26](../../../kjv/exodus/34/26)]. It was pointed against
an annual pagan ceremony (see on [Exodus 34:26](../../../kjv/exodus/34/26); [Exodus 34:26](../../../kjv/exodus/34/26)).
[[Exodus 34:26](../../../kjv/exodus/34/26). LAW OF THE
TITHE].

**22-27. Thou shalt truly tithe all
the increase of thy seed**—The dedication of a tenth part of the
year's produce in everything was then a religious duty. It was to be
brought as an offering to the sanctuary; and, where distance
prevented its being taken in kind, it was by this statute convertible
into money.

**28, 29. At the end of three years .
. . the Levite . . . shall come,** &c.—The Levites having no
inheritance like the other tribes, the Israelites were not to forget
them, but honestly to tithe their increase []. Besides the tenth of all the land produce, they had
forty-eight cities, with the surrounding grounds [], "the best of the land," and a certain proportion
of the sacrifices as their allotted perquisites. They had, therefore,
if not an affluent, yet a comfortable and independent, fund for their
support.

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