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Read the Verse of the Day – Deuteronomy 14:8 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Deuteronomy 14:8 is a verse that speaks about God‘s dietary laws for the people of Israel. At first glance, it may appear to be just a rule about food. But this verse has a deeper meaning about holiness, obedience, and living a life that honors God.
The Context of Deuteronomy 14:8 KJV
Overview of Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. It is part of the Torah, also called the Law of Moses. The name “Deuteronomy” means “second law.” In this book, Moses is preparing the people of Israel to enter the Promised Land. He reminds them of all the laws God gave them, including dietary laws.
These laws were not just about food. They were about helping Israel stay holy and separate from other nations. The surrounding nations often practiced idolatry and lived in ways that displeased God. The Lord gave Israel a different way to live — a holy and obedient life.
A Holy People with a Holy Diet
In Deuteronomy 14:1–3, Moses reminds the people that they are children of God. He tells them not to copy the pagan customs of other nations, especially when it comes to mourning and eating.
“For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deuteronomy 14:2 KJV)
Because they were chosen by God, they were to follow His commands, including which animals they could eat. Deuteronomy 14 lists clean and unclean animals — those that could be eaten and those that could not.
This leads us to verse 8.
Deuteronomy 14:8 (KJV)
“And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.” — Deuteronomy 14:8, KJV
This verse specifically talks about the pig, or swine. It explains why it is considered unclean and what the Israelites were to do — or rather, not do — with it.
Deuteronomy 14:8 Meaning
Clean vs. Unclean Animals
To understand this verse, we must first understand how animals were classified.
In Deuteronomy 14:6–8, Moses tells the people that clean animals must meet two conditions:
They must have a split hoof (cloven foot).
They must chew the cud (ruminate — regurgitate and re-chew their food).
An animal that only does one of these things is considered unclean.
Cows, sheep, and deer chew the cud and have split hooves — clean.
Camels chew the cud but do not have split hooves — unclean.
Pigs have split hooves but do not chew the cud — unclean.
The pig fails the second test. It does not chew the cud. So it is declared unclean.
“Ye Shall Not Eat Their Flesh”
God commanded the Israelites not to eat pork. This included bacon, ham, and anything that came from pigs. This was not a suggestion. It was a direct command from God.
The reason is simple: obedience. God wanted His people to listen to His voice and follow His ways, even when the command may not have seemed important to them.
“Nor Touch Their Dead Carcase”
God’s instruction goes even further. Not only were they not to eat pork, they were not even to touch the dead body of a pig. This made someone ceremonially unclean. This reminds us how seriously God took cleanliness and holiness under the law.
Touching a pig’s carcass could make a person unable to enter the temple or participate in worship until they were purified. These laws helped the people of Israel see the seriousness of being pure before God.
Spiritual Meaning Behind the Law
While this law was physical, it also carried spiritual meaning.
The pig is often used in the Bible to symbolize uncleanness (see Matthew 7:6 and 2 Peter 2:22).
Even though the pig looked clean on the outside (it had a split hoof), it was unclean on the inside (it did not chew the cud).
This is a lesson in true holiness. Outward appearance does not make someone holy. True holiness comes from the heart — from obedience to God. Jesus also spoke about this when He said:
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.” (Matthew 23:25 KJV)
Deuteronomy 14:8 Application in Life
1. Obedience Matters
Even though this law was about food, the deeper message is about obeying God. The Israelites may have wondered why pork was off-limits. But God asked them to trust Him and obey.
As believers today, we may not follow the same dietary rules, but we are still called to obey God’s Word. When we obey, we show our love for Him.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 KJV)
We should not pick and choose which parts of God’s Word to follow. Every command, big or small, has a purpose.
2. Jesus Fulfilled the Law
Under the New Covenant, Christians are not bound by the Old Testament food laws. Jesus declared all foods clean in Mark 7:18-19. Peter also had a vision in Acts 10 where God told him not to call anything unclean that God has made clean.
So while Deuteronomy 14:8 is not a law that Christians must follow today, its spiritual lessons still apply.
- God still wants His people to be holy.
- God still wants obedience.
- God still wants us to be separate from sinful practices.
Jesus did not abolish the law. He fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17). He gave us a higher law — the law of love and holiness.
3. Be Clean Inside and Out
The pig looked right on the outside but was wrong on the inside. This is a powerful picture of hypocrisy. Many people today try to appear holy, but their hearts are far from God.
As Christians, we are called to inner holiness — not just outer actions. We must guard our hearts, minds, and motives.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 KJV)
Let us not be like the swine — clean on the outside but unclean on the inside.
4. Avoid What Is Spiritually Unclean
Just as Israel was told not to eat or even touch what was unclean, we are to avoid spiritual uncleanness.
This includes:
- Sinful habits
- Corrupt entertainment
- Bad influences
- False teachings
Paul writes:
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV)
Let us examine what we allow into our lives. Are we touching things that make us unclean in the sight of God?
5. God’s Word Is Always Relevant
Though the specific command not to eat pork is not binding on Christians today, the principles in Deuteronomy 14:8 are timeless.
- Obedience to God matters.
- Holiness is more than outward appearance.
- God’s instructions are for our good.
- Being clean spiritually is essential for walking with God.
Paul reminds us:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable…” (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)
That includes Deuteronomy 14:8.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 14:8 is more than a rule about pigs. It is a call to holiness, obedience, and spiritual discernment. God told the Israelites not to eat swine because it was unclean. It had the right look (split hoof) but lacked the right inward quality (chewing the cud). This is a reminder that God looks at the heart.
Today, Christians are not under the Old Testament food laws, but we are still called to live holy lives. We should not just appear holy — we should truly be holy in our hearts and actions. We must avoid what is spiritually unclean and cling to the Word of God.
Let us learn from this verse:
- To trust God’s commands, even when we don’t fully understand them.
- To seek inward purity, not just outward form.
- To obey Jesus, who makes us clean by His blood.
As believers, we no longer need to avoid pork, but we must still avoid sin. We must strive to be spiritually clean, walking in obedience, love, and holiness before our God.
“Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV)
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