Ella 
Read the Bible Verse of the Day – Deuteronomy 14:13 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
God gave the people of Israel many instructions in the Old Testament. These instructions helped them live holy lives. Some of these laws were about what they could eat. Deuteronomy 14 is one chapter where God told them which animals were clean and unclean.
Let’s dive into God’s Word with open hearts.
The Context of Deuteronomy 14:13 KJV
The Purpose of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. It is part of the Law, also known as the Torah. The word “Deuteronomy” means “second law.” It is a speech that Moses gave to the people of Israel before they entered the Promised Land.
In this book, Moses reminded them of everything God had done. He also repeated many of the laws God had given earlier. These laws were to guide the Israelites in how to live as God’s holy people.
Clean and Unclean Animals
In Deuteronomy 14, Moses talked about clean and unclean animals. God wanted His people to eat only what was clean. This wasn’t just about health. It was about holiness.
By eating only what God allowed, the Israelites showed their obedience. They also stayed separate from other nations who did not follow God’s laws.
Birds That Are Unclean
Deuteronomy 14:11 tells the Israelites they may eat clean birds. Then verses 12 through 18 list birds that are not clean. These birds were off-limits. They could not be eaten.
Deuteronomy 14:13 is part of that list. It names birds that are unclean. Let’s look at the verse now.
Deuteronomy 14:13 (KJV)
“And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,” — Deuteronomy 14:13 (KJV)
This verse lists three unclean birds:
- The glede
- The kite
- The vulture, including its kind or family
Each of these birds is a type of predator or scavenger. They eat meat, often from dead animals. This is one of the main reasons they were considered unclean.
Deuteronomy 14:13 Meaning
What Is the “Glede”?
The word glede is used in the King James Version. It is an old English word. Most Bible scholars believe it refers to a type of hawk or buzzard, possibly a red kite. The Hebrew word is râ’âh, which means a bird of prey.
This bird would eat small animals or dead meat. It was a scavenger. It did not kill cleanly like some predators. It often picked from carcasses. This made it unclean in God’s eyes.
What Is the “Kite”?
The kite is another bird of prey. It is known for flying high and circling in the air. Kites feed on small animals, reptiles, and dead creatures. They were common in the Middle East.
The Hebrew word here is ayyâh, which means “screamer” or “vulture-like bird.” Like the glede, the kite is also a scavenger. It eats things that die naturally or are left behind by other animals.
What Is the “Vulture After His Kind”?
The vulture is a well-known scavenger. It feeds almost entirely on dead animals. It does not hunt live prey. Instead, it eats what it finds. This is why it was unclean.
The phrase “after his kind” means all types of vultures. It includes the entire bird family—male and female, young and old, all varieties. Every kind of vulture was forbidden to eat.
Why Were These Birds Unclean?
God did not explain every reason for the food laws. But we can understand a few things:
- These birds were scavengers.
- They often fed on dead flesh, which could carry disease.
- Their eating habits represented impurity.
- God wanted His people to avoid anything associated with death or decay.
- Obeying these rules helped Israel stay physically and spiritually clean.
In short, God was teaching His people to be holy—even in their eating.
Deuteronomy 14:13 Application in Life
Although we no longer follow Old Testament food laws, God’s principles still apply today. Let’s look at how this verse helps us grow in faith and holiness.
1. God Calls Us to Be Clean and Set Apart
In the Old Testament, Israel was set apart from other nations. Their food laws reminded them daily that they were different. They were God’s chosen people.
As Christians, we are also called to be set apart. In 1 Peter 2:9, we are called a “chosen generation” and a “holy nation.” We are not of the world. We belong to God.
Deuteronomy 14:13 reminds us that we should not take in what is unclean, whether physically or spiritually.
We may not have rules about eating birds, but we do have spiritual laws:
- Do not lie.
- Do not steal.
- Do not hold bitterness.
- Keep your mind pure.
- Love your enemies.
We must avoid anything that feeds our soul in a wrong way. Just as vultures eat dead things, we must not feed on spiritual death.
2. Be Careful What You Consume
This verse teaches us about more than just food. It teaches us to be careful about what we “consume” in life.
What do we watch on TV? What do we listen to? What do we read? What do we allow into our hearts?
Jesus said in Matthew 15:11:
“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth.”
This tells us that our hearts matter. But it also reminds us to protect our hearts by guarding what we allow in.
Don’t feed on gossip. Don’t feed on violence. Don’t feed on lust. Feed on the Word of God. Feed on truth, love, and righteousness.
3. Avoid the Spirit of the Scavenger
A scavenger looks for death. It feeds on what others leave behind. Spiritually, this can represent bitterness, jealousy, and judgment.
Are we feeding on the sins of others? Are we looking for ways to criticize and condemn?
The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Don’t be like the vulture, feeding on the faults of others. Be like Jesus—full of grace and truth.
4. Follow God’s Instructions Even When You Don’t Understand
God told the Israelites not to eat certain birds. He didn’t always explain why. He expected obedience.
Today, God’s Word tells us many things:
- Forgive others.
- Be generous.
- Flee temptation.
- Serve in humility.
Sometimes, we don’t understand why God says what He says. But like the Israelites, we are called to trust and obey.
Deuteronomy 14:13 teaches us to follow God—even in the small things.
5. Jesus Fulfilled the Law
It’s important to know that Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial law. This includes food laws.
In Mark 7:19, Jesus declared all foods clean. In Acts 10, Peter had a vision where unclean animals came down from heaven. God told him to eat. This showed that the old food laws no longer applied.
But the spiritual truth still applies: God wants us to be clean.
So, while we may eat chicken or fish or beef, we must never feed our souls with sin. Jesus is our true food—the Bread of Life.
6. See the Wisdom in God’s Laws
Even though we no longer follow these food rules, we can see the wisdom in them.
God knew which birds carried disease. He knew which habits were unclean. He cared about His people’s health and holiness.
Likewise, today, God’s commands are for our good. They protect us. They bless us. They lead us into peace.
Don’t ignore God’s Word. Don’t pick and choose what to follow. Trust that He knows best.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 14:13 may seem like a simple list of birds. But it teaches us so much more.
“And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,” — Deuteronomy 14:13 (KJV)
These birds were unclean. They were not to be eaten. They fed on death. They were scavengers. God told His people to stay away from them.
Today, we do not follow food laws. But we do follow the spiritual lessons they teach.
- We are called to be holy.
- We must avoid what is unclean—physically and spiritually.
- We must protect our hearts and minds.
- We must obey God fully—even when we don’t understand.
Let this verse be a reminder to live a pure and holy life. Let us not be like scavengers, feeding on the dead things of this world. Instead, let us feed on the life that is in Jesus Christ.
He is our bread. He is our strength. And He calls us to walk in His holiness every day.
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