17. gier eagle—The Hebrew word Rachemah is manifestly identical with Rachamah, the name which the Arabs give to the common vulture of Western Asia and Egypt (Neophron percnopterus). [See on :-]. cormorant—rather, the plungeon; a seafowl. [See on :-]. read more
3. Laws arising from the third commandment 14:1-21The third commandment is, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Deuteronomy 5:11). This section of laws deals with the exclusiveness of the Lord and His worship as this pertains to Israel’s separation from all other nations. The theme of refraining from Canaanite practices continues in this chapter. However here it is not the obviously idolatrous practices but the more subtle ones associated with Canaanite religion that... read more
The diet of the Canaanites also had connection with their religion. Perhaps some of what God forbade would have been unhealthful for the Israelites to eat (cf. Leviticus 11). [Note: See Jay D. Fawver and R. Larry Overstreet, "Moses and Preventive Medicine," Bibliotheca Sacra 147:587 (July-September):270-85.] However the main reason for the prohibitions seems to have been that certain animals did not conform to what the Israelites considered normal or typical. [Note: M. Douglas, Purity and... read more
Disfigurings for Mourning Forbidden. Clean and Unclean Meats specified1. Practices connected with idolatry: see on Leviticus 19:27, Leviticus 19:28.2. The foundation of the entire moral and ceremonial law is contained in this and the preceding verse. Israel is the people whom Jehovah has chosen and called His children. As such they must be holy: see intro. to Leviticus 17-26.3-20. On the law of clean and unclean beasts, see Leviticus 1:1 and notes. 5. The pygarg is probably a kind of antelope.... read more
LAWS AGAINST IDOLATROUS ACTS AND CUSTOMSDeuteronomy 13:1-18; Deuteronomy 14:1-29HAVING thus set forth the law which was to crown and complete the long resistance of faithful Israel to idolatry, our author goes on to prohibit and to decree punishment for any action likely to lead to the worship of false gods. He absolutely forbids any inquiry into the religions of the Canaanites. "Take heed to thyself that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? even so... read more
10. The Children of God and Their Separation CHAPTER 14 1. The declaration of relationship: A holy people (Deuteronomy 14:1-2 ) 2. Their food as a separated people (Deuteronomy 14:3-21 ) 3. Concerning tithes (Deuteronomy 14:22-29 ) Ye are the children of the Lord your God. Because God had chosen them to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the other nations, they were to be an holy people. To them belongeth still “the adoption” (Romans 9:4 ). God called Israel His firstborn son... read more
THE VAIN SHOW OF MOURNING (vs.1-2) The dignity of Israel's outward relationship to God as sons required them to act with proper dignity. The ungodly nations practiced such things as cutting themselves and shaving the front of their head to show how they respected people who had died. This was vain hypocrisy, a show of religiousness intended to draw attention to themselves. The Lord Jesus reproved even the loud weeping and wailing of people around the house of Jairus at his daughter's death... read more
CONDITIONS OF BLESSING PLACES OF WORSHIP (Deuteronomy 12:0 ) In Canaan, what were the Israelites to destroy and how thoroughly was the work to be done (Deuteronomy 12:1-3 )? What contrast were they to place between themselves and the heathen in public worship (Deuteronomy 12:4-7 )? Did this apply to the same extent in the wilderness, and if not, why not (Deuteronomy 12:8-14 )? What exception was made as to their private and domestic affairs (Deuteronomy 12:15-16 )? What were they not at... read more
The same observations will meet us here concerning the food of fish and of birds, as under the foregoing of beasts. Spiritually considered, and with an eye to the gospel dispensation, the whole are of importance, meaning that all uncleanness is forbidden: and these things are not only commanded to be abstained from in the deed, but even in the very word: and not once to be named among the LORD'S heritage, as becometh saints. Ephesians 5:3 . read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 14:1-21
Ver. 1-21. God, having chosen Israel for his own, separated them from the nations, adopted them as his children, and designed them for his glory, has a right to expect from them that they should answer these purposes of his grace, and approve themselves a holy people before him. And this must appear, 1. In their mournings, when all inordinate sorrow must be avoided; and every superstitious practice which the Gentiles used must be abhorred. Note; (1.) We are not forbidden to mourn for the dead;... read more