Deuteronomy 14:20
New International Version
But any winged creature that is clean you may eat.

New Living Translation
But you may eat any winged bird or insect that is ceremonially clean.

English Standard Version
All clean winged things you may eat.

Berean Standard Bible
But you may eat any clean bird.

King James Bible
But of all clean fowls ye may eat.

New King James Version
“You may eat all clean birds.

New American Standard Bible
You may eat any clean bird.

NASB 1995
“You may eat any clean bird.

NASB 1977
“You may eat any clean bird.

Legacy Standard Bible
You may eat any clean bird.

Amplified Bible
You may eat any clean bird.

Christian Standard Bible
But you may eat every clean flying creature.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But you may eat every clean flying creature.”

American Standard Version
Of all clean birds ye may eat.

Contemporary English Version
However, you are allowed to eat certain kinds of winged insects.

English Revised Version
Of all clean fowls ye may eat.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, you may eat any [other kind of] flying creature that is clean.

Good News Translation
You may eat any clean insect.

International Standard Version
You may eat every bird that is clean.

Majority Standard Bible
But you may eat any clean bird.

NET Bible
You may eat any clean bird.

New Heart English Bible
Of all clean birds you may eat.

Webster's Bible Translation
But of all clean fowls ye may eat.

World English Bible
Of all clean birds you may eat.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
any clean bird you eat.

Young's Literal Translation
any clean fowl ye do eat.

Smith's Literal Translation
Every clean flying thing ye shall eat.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All that is clean, you shall eat.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All that is clean, you shall eat.

New American Bible
Any clean winged creatures you may eat.

New Revised Standard Version
You may eat any clean winged creature.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not eat of anything that is unclean, but you shall give it to the stranger who is in your towns, that he may eat it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall not eat anything that is defiled, but give it to the traveler who is in your city; he will eat it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Of all clean winged things ye may eat.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ye shall eat every clean bird.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
19All flying insects are unclean for you; they may not be eaten. 20But you may eat any clean bird. 21You are not to eat any carcass; you may give it to the foreigner residing within your gates, and he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.…

Cross References
Leviticus 11:21-22
However, you may eat the following kinds of flying insects that walk on all fours: those having jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground. / Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper.

Acts 10:12-15
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. / Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” ...

Genesis 7:3
and seven pairs of every kind of bird of the air, male and female, to preserve their offspring on the face of all the earth.

Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Mark 1:6
John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Genesis 9:3
Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things.

Romans 14:14
I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

1 Timothy 4:4
For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,

Acts 15:29
You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

1 Corinthians 10:25
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,

Leviticus 11:13-19
Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, / the kite, any kind of falcon, / any kind of raven, ...

Ezekiel 4:14
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”

Isaiah 66:17
“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.

Colossians 2:16
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath.

Acts 11:6-9
I looked at it closely and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. / Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter, kill and eat.’ / ‘No, Lord,’ I said, ‘for nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ ...


Treasury of Scripture

But of all clean fowls you may eat.

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Deuteronomy 14
1. God's children are not to disfigure themselves in mourning
3. What may and may not be eaten
4. of animals
9. of fishes
11. of fowls
21. That which dies of itself may not be eaten
22. Tithes of Divine Service
23. Tithes and firstborns to be eaten before the Lord
28. The third year's tithe of alms and charity














But you may eat
This phrase introduces a contrast to the preceding verses, which list birds that are considered unclean and therefore not permissible for consumption. The Hebrew word for "eat" is "אָכַל" (akal), which is a common verb in the Old Testament, signifying not just the physical act of eating but also the idea of partaking or consuming in a broader sense. In the context of Deuteronomy, this permission to eat reflects God's provision and care for His people, allowing them to enjoy the bounty of His creation within the boundaries He has set. It underscores the principle of obedience to divine commandments as a pathway to blessing.

any clean bird
The term "clean" in Hebrew is "טָהוֹר" (tahor), which means pure or ritually clean. This concept of cleanliness is central to the dietary laws given to Israel, which are detailed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. The distinction between clean and unclean animals is not merely about physical health but is deeply symbolic, representing spiritual purity and holiness. The "clean bird" is one that meets specific criteria set by God, and eating such birds is an act of obedience and a demonstration of the Israelites' commitment to holiness. Historically, these dietary laws set Israel apart from surrounding nations, serving as a constant reminder of their unique covenant relationship with God. The emphasis on "any" clean bird highlights the abundance and variety of God's provision, encouraging gratitude and trust in His wisdom and care.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But you may eat
תֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃ (tō·ḵê·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

any
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

clean
טָה֖וֹר (ṭā·hō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2889: Clean, pure

bird.
ע֥וֹף (‘ō·wp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5775: Flying creatures


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 14:20 Of all clean birds you may eat (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 14:19
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