Tyndale Open Study NotesDeuteronomy 14

See “Clean, Unclean, and Holy” Theme Note.

• cut yourselves: This pagan custom often linked to mourning ceremonies, possibly to try to get the dead to return to life (see 1 Kings 18:28; Zechariah 13:4–6).

• shave your foreheads: This practice also related to mourning for the dead (see Leviticus 19:27–28; 21:5–6). But the exact meaning of this ceremony is unclear.

The basic Hebrew meaning of holy is the separation of a person or thing for a specific purpose. It can also mean "pure" or "morally and spiritually good."

split hoof … chews the cud: These animals listed in in 14:4–5 could be eaten, unlike those in 14:7–8. People gained health benefits from following these rules. But something was ceremonially clean or unclean only because God said so.

The rock badger (or hyrax) is a small mammal about the size of a rabbit. It has short toes with flat nails that look like small hooves, and it has soft pads on its feet that help it climb rocks.

The instruction to avoid touching their dead bodies was mainly to maintain ceremonial purity.

These animals are grouped as flying animals that eat rotting flesh.

flying insects: Compare Leviticus 11:20–23.

• God considered animals that died naturally to be ceremonially unclean. This was true even if they were ceremonially clean when alive. This was because they did not slaughter them according to ceremonial rules. They did not properly drain their blood and dispose of it (see 12:23–25).

• You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk: This pagan practice was improper because it showed insensitivity to the natural bond between mothers and their offspring (see 28:56–57).

set aside a tenth: A tithe (or tenth) is the practice of giving one-tenth of income or produce. People gave a tenth long before the law of Moses (Genesis 14:20; 28:22). Other ancient cultures also practiced this.

In the Bible, the tithe is treated as a tax or tribute. It is collected by the Lord from his people, who are like his subjects. The Lord, as sovereign, claims this portion as holy (see study notes on Deuteronomy 1:31 and 12:6).

the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name: This is the central sanctuary. This place is the Lord’s special dwelling on the earth among his people. It is where God is present with them (see 12:5, 18).

People used wine and other alcoholic drinks in worship ceremonies and celebrations (Genesis 14:18; 35:14; Exodus 29:40–41; Matthew 26:27). These drinks represented God's blessing (Genesis 27:25, 28; 49:11; 1 Chronicles 12:40; Psalm 104:15; Song of Solomon 4:10; 5:1; Isaiah 25:6; Matthew 26:29).

The Levites did not receive land of their own. They were also not allowed to do regular work for money.

Because of this, they depended on the other Israelite tribes for support (see 12:12).

All adult Israelite men had to give a tithe (a tenth) every year. This was part of their festival celebrations (15:20; 16:16–17). Every third year, the tithe supported the Levites and other dependent groups in Israelite society (14:29). See study note on Leviticus 27:30.