King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 14:21 Mean?

Deuteronomy 14:21 in the King James Version says “Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he m... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Ye shall not eat of any thing 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.

Deuteronomy 14:21 · KJV


Context

19

And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.

20

But of all clean fowls ye may eat.

21

Ye shall not eat of any thing 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.

22

Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

23

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself (נְבֵלָה, nevelah, carcass)—Animals dying naturally often die from disease, making their meat hygienically dangerous. But the primary concern is theological: Israel must not profit from death. They serve the living God (Joshua 3:10), consuming only what's actively slaughtered (life deliberately given), never passively found (death happened upon).

Thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates—The resident alien (גֵּר, ger) wasn't bound by full covenant law. This verse shows God's law as gracious privilege, not oppressive burden—Israel's holiness elevated them for service, not superiority. Christ fulfilled this: becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13), taking our 'carcass' status to give us life.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Canaanite religions used dead animals in necromantic rituals (consulting the dead). By prohibiting consumption of carrion, God separated Israel from pagan death-worship and reinforced life's sanctity—only blood intentionally shed in sacrifice honors God.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'dead things' (past failures, old identities) are you tempted to 'consume' rather than leaving behind?
  2. How does allowing strangers to eat what Israelites couldn't demonstrate the privilege of covenant calling?
  3. In what ways did Christ 'consume' your death (take your carcass status) to give you His life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
לֹ֣א1 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

וַֽאֲכָלָ֗הּ2 of 23

Ye shall not eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

כָל3 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נְ֠בֵלָה4 of 23

of any thing that dieth of itself

H5038

a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol

לַגֵּ֨ר5 of 23

it unto the stranger

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

אֲשֶׁר6 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּשְׁעָרֶ֜יךָ7 of 23

that is in thy gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

תִּתְּנֶ֣נָּה8 of 23

thou shalt give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וַֽאֲכָלָ֗הּ9 of 23

Ye shall not eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

א֤וֹ10 of 23
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

מָכֹר֙11 of 23

it or thou mayest sell

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

לְנָכְרִ֔י12 of 23

it unto an alien

H5237

strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

כִּ֣י13 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עַ֤ם14 of 23

people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

קָדוֹשׁ֙15 of 23

for thou art an holy

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

אַתָּ֔ה16 of 23
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

לַֽיהוָ֖ה17 of 23

unto the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ18 of 23

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לֹֽא19 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל20 of 23

Thou shalt not seethe

H1310

properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen

גְּדִ֖י21 of 23

a kid

H1423

a young goat (from browsing)

בַּֽחֲלֵ֥ב22 of 23

milk

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

אִמּֽוֹ׃23 of 23

in his mother's

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 14:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 14:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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