CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Chews</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/c/chews.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/leviticus/11-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/c/chews.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Chews</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/c/chewing_tobacco.htm" title="Chewing Tobacco">◄</a> Chews <a href="/topical/c/chezib.htm" title="Chezib">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>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.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b><br><br>The primary biblical reference concerning animals that chew the cud is found in <a href="/bsb/leviticus/11.htm">Leviticus 11</a> and <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/14.htm">Deuteronomy 14</a>. These passages outline the dietary laws given to the Israelites, specifying which animals are permissible to eat.<br><br>· <b><a href="/leviticus/11-3.htm">Leviticus 11:3</a> :</b> "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud."<br>· <b><a href="/deuteronomy/14-6.htm">Deuteronomy 14:6</a> :</b> "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof divided in two and that chews the cud."<br><br>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.<br><br><b>Significance in Dietary Laws:</b><br><br>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.<br><br>· <b><a href="/leviticus/11-4.htm">Leviticus 11:4</a> :</b> "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."<br><br><b>Theological Implications:</b><br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br><b>New Testament Perspective:</b><br><br>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 <a href="/bsb/acts/10.htm">Acts 10</a>, 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.<br><br>· <b><a href="/acts/10-13.htm">Acts 10:13-15</a> :</b> "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.'"<br><br>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.<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b><br><br>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.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/5927.htm"><span class="l">5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb</span></a><br><b>...</b> 66), burn (2), burnt offerings (1), came (67), came back (1), carried (2), carried<br> away (1), carry (3), cast (1), charging (1), chew (4), <b>chews</b> (5), climb (4 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/5927.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 8k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/byrum/how_john_became_a_man/chapter_iii_what_the_big.htm"><span class="l">What the Big Chest Contained</span></a> <br><b>...</b> As soon as they were far enough away, they removed the tobacco from their mouths;<br> and they found that, by taking very small <b>chews</b> at a time, the amount was <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter iii what the big.htm</font><p><a href="/library/gordon/quiet_talks_on_prayer/a_spirit_illumined_mind.htm"><span class="l">A Spirit Illumined Mind.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> We have another word, with the same meaning, not much used now"ruminate.<br> We call the cow a ruminant because she <b>chews</b> the cud. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a spirit illumined mind.htm</font><p><a href="/library/traherne/centuries_of_meditations/4_upon_those_pure_and.htm"><span class="l">Upon those Pure and virgin Apprehensions which I had in My Infancy</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Doth make my wonder, and His glory higher,. His bounty, and my wealth more great.<br> It <b>chews</b> His Kingdom, and His work complete. In which there is not anything,. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/4 upon those pure and.htm</font><p><a href="/library/de_molinos/the_spiritual_guide_which_disentangles_the_soul/the_preface_second_advertisement.htm"><span class="l">The Preface. Second Advertisement.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Meditation sows, and Contemplation reaps; Meditation seeks, and Contemplation finds;<br> Meditation <b>chews</b> the Food, Contemplation tasts and feeds on it. 19. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the preface second advertisement.htm</font><p><a href="/library/burgon/the_last_twelve_verses_of_the_gospel_according_to_s_mark/appendix_a.htm"><span class="l">Appendix (A).</span></a> <br><b>...</b> But I may as well state plainly that the context of the passage above quoted<br> <b>chews</b> that Tischendorf's proposed inference is inadmissible. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark/appendix a.htm</font><p><a href="/library/clement/the_stromata_or_miscellanies/chapter_vi_the_gospel_was_preached.htm"><span class="l">The Gospel was Preached to Jews and Gentiles in Hades.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> For the Jew is designated by the ox, from the animal under the yoke being reckoned<br> clean, according to the law; for the ox both parts the hoof and <b>chews</b> the cud <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the gospel was preached.htm</font><p><a href="/library/williamson/have_we_no_rights/chapter_2_the_right_to.htm"><span class="l">The Right to what I Consider a Normal Standard of Living</span></a> <br><b>...</b> theirs. The fact that everyone else <b>chews</b> betel nut, or plays mah-jongg,<br> does not mean that I will take up these practices. But <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 2 the right to.htm</font><p><a href="/library/flavel/on_keeping_the_heart/ii_the_second_season.htm"><span class="l">The Second Season</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Affliction is a pill, which, being wrapped up in patience and quiet submission,<br> may be easily shallowed; but discontent <b>chews</b> the pill, and so embitters the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/ii the second season.htm</font><p><a href="/library/aquinas/summa_theologica/whether_there_was_any_reasonable.htm"><span class="l">Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> nature of the sound, letters and syllables of which it is composed: but in<br> signification, the one is clean, the other unclean." The animal that <b>chews</b> the cud <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_17_1871/hidden_manna.htm"><span class="l">Hidden Manna</span></a> <br><b>...</b> I would to God we were all more given to feeding and lying down in the green pastures<br> of God's word; the sheep fattens as it <b>chews</b> the cud at peace, and so do <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/hidden manna.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/c/chews.htm"><span class="l"><b>Chews</b> (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>Chews</b> (6 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed,<br> and <b>chews</b> the cud among the animals, that you may eat. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/chews.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/cud.htm"><span class="l">Cud (9 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Cud (9 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed,<br> and <b>chews</b> the cud among the animals, that you may eat. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/cud.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/hoof.htm"><span class="l">Hoof (11 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and <b>chews</b> the cud<br> among the animals, that you may eat. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/hoof.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/cloven.htm"><span class="l">Cloven (12 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (KJV WBS). Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and <b>chews</b><br> the cud among the animals, that you may eat. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/cloven.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/split.htm"><span class="l">Split (36 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Leviticus 11:4 "'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud,<br> or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he <b>chews</b> the cud but doesn <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/split.htm - 19k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/chew.htm"><span class="l">Chew (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Leviticus 11:4 "'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud,<br> or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he <b>chews</b> the cud but doesn <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/chew.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/cloven-footed.htm"><span class="l">Cloven-footed (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Cloven-footed (3 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is<br> cloven-footed, and <b>chews</b> the cud among the animals, that you may eat. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/cloven-footed.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/parted.htm"><span class="l">Parted (67 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Leviticus 11:4 "'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud,<br> or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he <b>chews</b> the cud but doesn <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/parted.htm - 26k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/cheweth.htm"><span class="l">Cheweth (8 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/cheweth.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/camel.htm"><span class="l">Camel (13 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The camel is a ruminant and <b>chews</b> the cud like a sheep or ox, but the stomach possesses<br> only three compartments instead of four, as in other ruminants. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/camel.htm - 21k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/rabbits-chew-cud.html">Why does the Bible say that rabbits chew the cud? Is this an error in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Chews (6 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/leviticus/11-3.htm">Leviticus 11:3</a></span><br />Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and <span class="boldtext">chews</span> the cud among the animals, that you may eat.<br /><span class="source">(WEB NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/leviticus/11-4.htm">Leviticus 11:4</a></span><br />"'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud, or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he <span class="boldtext">chews</span> the cud but doesn't have a parted hoof, he is unclean to you.<br /><span class="source">(WEB NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/leviticus/11-5.htm">Leviticus 11:5</a></span><br />The coney, because he <span class="boldtext">chews</span> the cud but doesn't have a parted hoof, he is unclean to you.<br /><span class="source">(WEB NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/leviticus/11-6.htm">Leviticus 11:6</a></span><br />The hare, because she <span class="boldtext">chews</span> the cud but doesn't part the hoof, she is unclean to you.<br /><span class="source">(WEB NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/leviticus/11-26.htm">Leviticus 11:26</a></span><br />"'Every animal which parts the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, nor <span class="boldtext">chews</span> the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them shall be unclean.<br /><span class="source">(WEB)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-6.htm">Deuteronomy 14:6</a></span><br />Every animal that parts the hoof, and has the hoof cloven in two, and <span class="boldtext">chews</span> the cud, among the animals, that may you eat.<br /><span class="source">(WEB NAS RSV NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/chews.htm">Chews</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chozeba.htm">Chozeba (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/achzib.htm">Achzib (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chicken.htm">Chicken</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kezib.htm">Kezib (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chews.htm">Chews (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/addeth.htm">Addeth (44 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/conceived.htm">Conceived (66 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beareth.htm">Beareth (108 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shelah.htm">Shelah (18 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/calleth.htm">Calleth (261 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bare.htm">Bare (250 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bearing.htm">Bearing (150 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bore.htm">Bore (221 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/palestine.htm">Palestine (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/c/chewing_tobacco.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Chewing Tobacco"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Chewing Tobacco" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/c/chezib.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Chezib"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Chezib" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>