Bible Commentaries

De 14:1, 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

(1Ki 18:28),

and at funerals (compare

Jer 16:6; 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

Le 19:27, 28;

Le 21:5).

Such indecorous and degrading usages, being extravagant and unnatural expressions of hopeless sorrow

(1Th 4:13),

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

[De 14:2].

De 14:3-21.

WHAT MAY BE EATEN, AND WHAT NOT.

3. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing--that is, anything forbidden as unclean (see on

Le 11:1).

De 14:4-8.

OF BEASTS.

5. The hart--(see on

De 12:15).

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

(1Sa 24:2; Ps 104:18; Pr 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.

De 14:11-20.

OF BIRDS.

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

Le 11:21).

13. glede--thought to be the same as that rendered vulture ( see on

Le 11:14).

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

Le 11:16].

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

Le 11:18].