Deuteronomy 14:13

Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, concluding the covenant laws before they cross the Jordan. He lists specific birds among the unclean animals they are forbidden to consume.

The words — The original text lists וְ/הָ/רָאָה (the red kite), הָ/אַיָּ֔ה (the hawk), and וְ/הַ/דַּיָּ֖ה (the black kite). The phrase לְ/מִינָֽ/הּ (to its kind) grammatically follows the black kite, extending the prohibition to that entire category rather than the hawk.

The thread — This verse operates within the Deuteronomy 14 dietary code, continuing the enumeration of forbidden avian species after the vultures of 14:12 and before the ravens of 14:14. It reinforces the pattern of separating clean from unclean creatures through specific taxonomic boundaries.

Why it lands — It requires the reader to identify and exclude these particular birds and their designated kinds from the food supply. The text establishes a clear legal boundary without offering alternative interpretations.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.