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Read the Verse of the Day – Deuteronomy 14:19 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Bible teaches us how to live as God’s people. Every verse has a purpose—even those that deal with laws and food. One such verse is Deuteronomy 14:19, which may seem like a small part of Scripture but offers meaningful lessons about holiness, obedience, and God’s design.
The Context of Deuteronomy 14:19 KJV
The Book of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. It is part of what is called the Torah or the Law of Moses. The word “Deuteronomy” means “second law.” It is not a new law, but a review of God’s commands.
Moses spoke these words to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. He reminded them of what God had done for them. He warned them not to follow the ways of the other nations. He called them to live holy lives.
Deuteronomy 14 is part of a section that deals with clean and unclean animals. God told His people which animals they could eat and which ones they should avoid. These food laws were part of what made Israel different from other nations. They were called to be set apart.
The Structure of Deuteronomy 14
Deuteronomy 14 can be divided into several sections:
Verses 1–2: A reminder that Israel is God’s holy people.
Verses 3–8: Rules about clean and unclean land animals.
Verses 9–10: Rules about clean and unclean sea creatures.
Verses 11–18: Rules about unclean birds.
Verse 19: A command about flying insects.
Verse 20: A permission for eating clean birds.
Verses 21–29: Other food-related laws and tithing instructions.
Deuteronomy 14:19 comes near the end of the clean/unclean animal list. It addresses flying insects specifically.
Deuteronomy 14:19 (KJV)
Let’s look at the verse itself in the King James Version:
“And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.” — Deuteronomy 14:19 (KJV)
This is a simple but direct command. God told the Israelites not to eat flying creeping things. But what exactly does that mean? And why was it important?
Deuteronomy 14:19 Meaning
Understanding “Creeping Thing That Flieth”
The phrase “creeping thing that flieth” refers to flying insects. This includes many small creatures such as:
- Flies
- Mosquitoes
- Beetles
- Moths
- Wasps
- Locusts (with some exceptions)
These insects are low to the ground and often live in decaying matter or feed on filth. Because of their habits and habitats, they were considered unclean in God’s law.
In the ancient world, insects were often associated with impurity and disease. They could contaminate food and carry sickness. So, the command not to eat them served both a spiritual and a practical purpose.
Exceptions in Leviticus
While Deuteronomy 14:19 says “every creeping thing that flieth,” we should remember that Leviticus 11:20–23 gives more detail. It allows a few exceptions—certain locusts and grasshoppers were considered clean:
“Even these of them ye may eat… the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind…” — Leviticus 11:22 (KJV)
So Deuteronomy 14:19 is a general rule, while Leviticus gives specific exceptions. The idea is that most flying insects were unclean, but some were allowed.
Why Were They Unclean?
The insects mentioned here were unclean for several reasons:
1. They Lived in Unclean Places
Most of these insects lived in dirt, decay, or dead animals. That made them ceremonially unclean.
2. They Represented Corruption
Insects like flies were often connected with rot and decay. In the Bible, flies are sometimes a symbol of judgment. For example:
“And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies…” — Exodus 8:24 (KJV)
3. They Were Associated with False Gods
In some ancient cultures, certain insects were worshiped or used in magic. God wanted His people to stay away from these practices.
4. They Were a Health Risk
Though not the main reason, these laws also helped protect people from diseases that could be spread by insects. God’s law often included both spiritual and practical wisdom.
Spiritual Meaning Behind the Command
This verse teaches more than just a diet rule. It shows us the importance of purity and obedience.
Insects are small, and they may seem harmless. But God still said they were not to be eaten. This shows us that even the smallest acts of disobedience matter to God.
God cares about what we allow into our lives, even in small amounts. Just as a little fly can spoil food, a little sin can corrupt our heart.
Deuteronomy 14:19 Application in Life
1. God Cares About the Details
This verse is short, but it reminds us that God is involved in every part of life—even what we eat. Today, we are not under the Old Testament food laws, but the principle still applies.
God wants His people to be careful, intentional, and pure in their daily lives. Holiness is not just about big decisions. It’s about small choices too.
2. Avoid Things That Corrupt
The flying insects in this verse represent things that creep in quietly but cause damage. This reminds us to be careful about:
- What we watch
- What we listen to
- What we read
- What we say
Sin can enter our lives through small, creeping things. A little lie. A little bitterness. A little compromise.
Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 5:6:
“Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”
We must guard our hearts and avoid anything that draws us away from God—even if it seems small.
3. Pursue Clean Living
While we are not bound by the dietary laws, we are still called to live clean lives. Not physically, but spiritually.
“Be ye holy; for I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:16 (KJV)
We do this by:
- Reading God’s Word daily
- Praying regularly
- Repenting of sin quickly
- Avoiding corrupt influences
- Walking in the Spirit
God wants us to shine like lights in a dark world. We can’t do that if we’re feeding on things that are spiritually unclean.
4. The Small Things Matter
This verse also teaches us that small things matter to God.
It may have seemed like a minor issue to avoid insects. But God included it in His law. Why? Because He was teaching His people to trust and obey.
In our lives, we may be tempted to ignore “small sins.” But Jesus said:
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” — Luke 16:10 (KJV)
Faithfulness begins with small choices. Choosing to obey God in the little things prepares us for greater things.
5. Jesus Makes Us Clean
Finally, this verse reminds us that we were once unclean, but Jesus makes us clean.
In the Old Testament, the people had to avoid unclean animals. But in the New Testament, Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). More importantly, He made a way for our hearts to be clean.
“The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” — 1 John 1:7 (KJV)
Now, instead of worrying about external uncleanness, we focus on the purity of our hearts. Jesus has fulfilled the law, and He makes us holy by His grace.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 14:19 may seem like a small verse, but it carries big truth. God told the Israelites not to eat flying creeping things. These insects represented impurity, corruption, and spiritual danger.
Through this command, God taught His people to live clean, holy, and set-apart lives. Today, we are not bound by the same food laws, but the message is still clear:
- God cares about every part of our lives.
- We must avoid spiritual corruption—even in small forms.
- Holiness means paying attention to the details.
- Jesus is the One who makes us truly clean.
As believers in Christ, we are called to walk in purity and truth. Let us take even the “small” commands of Scripture seriously. May we live each day in obedience, trusting that God’s ways are good, wise, and always lead to life.
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