In the context of biblical dietary laws, the term "chews" is primarily associated with the characteristics of animals that are considered clean or unclean for consumption according to the Mosaic Law. The act of chewing the cud is a significant criterion in determining the cleanliness of certain animals.

Biblical References:

The primary biblical reference concerning animals that chew the cud is found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These passages outline the dietary laws given to the Israelites, specifying which animals are permissible to eat.

· Leviticus 11:3 : "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud."
· Deuteronomy 14:6 : "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof divided in two and that chews the cud."

These passages indicate that for an animal to be considered clean, it must meet two criteria: it must have a split hoof and it must chew the cud. Chewing the cud refers to the process by which certain animals, known as ruminants, regurgitate partially digested food and chew it again to aid in digestion.

Significance in Dietary Laws:

The distinction between clean and unclean animals is a central aspect of the dietary laws given to the Israelites. Animals that chew the cud and have split hooves, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, are deemed clean and suitable for consumption. In contrast, animals that do not meet both criteria, such as pigs (which have split hooves but do not chew the cud) and camels (which chew the cud but do not have split hooves), are considered unclean.

· Leviticus 11:4 : "But of those that chew the cud or have split hooves, you are not to eat the following: The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you."

Theological Implications:

The dietary laws, including the requirement for animals to chew the cud, served several purposes in the life of ancient Israel. They were a means of setting the Israelites apart as a holy people, distinct from the surrounding nations. Observance of these laws was an act of obedience to God, reflecting a commitment to holiness and purity.

Furthermore, these laws had practical implications, promoting health and hygiene by restricting the consumption of certain animals that might carry diseases or parasites. The act of chewing the cud, which involves a more thorough digestion process, may have been seen as a symbol of purity and cleanliness.

New Testament Perspective:

In the New Testament, the dietary laws, including the distinction between clean and unclean animals, are addressed in the context of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter's vision in Acts 10, where he is shown a sheet containing all kinds of animals and is told to "kill and eat," signifies the removal of these dietary restrictions for believers.

· Acts 10:13-15 : "Then a voice said to him: 'Get up, Peter, kill and eat!' 'No, Lord!' Peter answered. 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.' The voice spoke to him a second time: 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'"

This vision, along with other New Testament teachings, emphasizes that the ceremonial laws, including dietary restrictions, are fulfilled in Christ. Believers are no longer bound by these laws, as righteousness is not achieved through dietary observance but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

The concept of chewing the cud, as outlined in the Old Testament, played a significant role in the dietary laws given to the Israelites. While these laws are no longer binding under the new covenant, they provide insight into the holiness and distinctiveness that God desired for His people.5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb
... 66), burn (2), burnt offerings (1), came (67), came back (1), carried (2), carried
away (1), carry (3), cast (1), charging (1), chew (4), chews (5), climb (4 ...
/hebrew/5927.htm - 8k

What the Big Chest Contained
... As soon as they were far enough away, they removed the tobacco from their mouths;
and they found that, by taking very small chews at a time, the amount was ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter iii what the big.htm

A Spirit Illumined Mind.
... We have another word, with the same meaning, not much used now"ruminate.
We call the cow a ruminant because she chews the cud. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a spirit illumined mind.htm

Upon those Pure and virgin Apprehensions which I had in My Infancy
... Doth make my wonder, and His glory higher,. His bounty, and my wealth more great.
It chews His Kingdom, and His work complete. In which there is not anything,. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/4 upon those pure and.htm

The Preface. Second Advertisement.
... Meditation sows, and Contemplation reaps; Meditation seeks, and Contemplation finds;
Meditation chews the Food, Contemplation tasts and feeds on it. 19. ...
/.../the preface second advertisement.htm

Appendix (A).
... But I may as well state plainly that the context of the passage above quoted
chews that Tischendorf's proposed inference is inadmissible. ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark/appendix a.htm

The Gospel was Preached to Jews and Gentiles in Hades.
... For the Jew is designated by the ox, from the animal under the yoke being reckoned
clean, according to the law; for the ox both parts the hoof and chews the cud ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the gospel was preached.htm

The Right to what I Consider a Normal Standard of Living
... theirs. The fact that everyone else chews betel nut, or plays mah-jongg,
does not mean that I will take up these practices. But ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 2 the right to.htm

The Second Season
... Affliction is a pill, which, being wrapped up in patience and quiet submission,
may be easily shallowed; but discontent chews the pill, and so embitters the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/ii the second season.htm

Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ...
... nature of the sound, letters and syllables of which it is composed: but in
signification, the one is clean, the other unclean." The animal that chews the cud ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm

Hidden Manna
... I would to God we were all more given to feeding and lying down in the green pastures
of God's word; the sheep fattens as it chews the cud at peace, and so do ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/hidden manna.htm

Chews (6 Occurrences)
...Chews (6 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed,
and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/chews.htm - 8k

Cud (9 Occurrences)
... Cud (9 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed,
and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat. ...
/c/cud.htm - 11k

Hoof (11 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud
among the animals, that you may eat. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/hoof.htm - 11k

Cloven (12 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews
the cud among the animals, that you may eat. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). ...
/c/cloven.htm - 11k

Split (36 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:4 "'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud,
or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he chews the cud but doesn ...
/s/split.htm - 19k

Chew (5 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:4 "'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud,
or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he chews the cud but doesn ...
/c/chew.htm - 9k

Cloven-footed (3 Occurrences)
... Cloven-footed (3 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is
cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat. ...
/c/cloven-footed.htm - 7k

Parted (67 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:4 "'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud,
or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he chews the cud but doesn ...
/p/parted.htm - 26k

Cheweth (8 Occurrences)

/c/cheweth.htm - 8k

Camel (13 Occurrences)
... The camel is a ruminant and chews the cud like a sheep or ox, but the stomach possesses
only three compartments instead of four, as in other ruminants. ...
/c/camel.htm - 21k

Why does the Bible say that rabbits chew the cud? Is this an error in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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