Deuteronomy 14:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Don't eat carrion; give or sell it to non-Israelites. Also, don't cook a young goat in its mother's milk.
The Context of Deuteronomy 14:21
Concludes dietary laws with carrion prohibition and separate rule against mixing kid and mother's milk.
What Does Deuteronomy 14:21 Mean?
Carrion—animals that die of disease or injury—is forbidden to Israel because it is ritually unclean. However, it can be given to resident aliens or sold to foreign merchants, indicating a distinction between Israel's holiness and outsiders' obligations.
The prohibition on cooking kid in mother's milk is separate and carries its own weight. It appears three times in Scripture, suggesting its importance in distinguishing Israel's practices from neighboring customs.
Deuteronomy 14:21 in the Original Language
seethe (בִּשֵּׁל, bishel) — to boil or cook; the practice itself, not the consumption of the mixture, is prohibited.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 14:21
What does Deuteronomy 14:21 mean?
Don't eat carrion; give or sell it to non-Israelites. Also, don't cook a young goat in its mother's milk.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 14:21?
Concludes dietary laws with carrion prohibition and separate rule against mixing kid and mother's milk.