On the hoof
Le 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, [and] cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. This verse teaches that we should learn from people who not only study the Bible, but who then meditate on it and allow the teaching to change their lives.
One of the primary symbols for holiness is separation[1]. The split hoof represents a holy/separated walk/life. When an animal chews the cud, he eats the food a second time to get more out of it. It is an appropriate symbol for meditation, where you meditate again on a truth that you learned to see if there is more to be learned. Some skeptics complain that the New Testament authors use the same verse in different ways. They ignore the teaching that says all scripture has four purposes: to teach doctrine, to confront your sin, to correct your sin, and to train you in righteousness. The additional meaning is discerned through meditation and using the tools taught by the New Testament authors. The additional meaning is not added to the text as some would suggest, but discerned from the text.
- parteth perac פרס - divide in two [2] Separation is a metaphor for 'Holy'.
- clovenfooted shaca‘ שׁסע - split [3]
- cheweth ‘alah עלה - ascend, burnt offering [4]
- cud garah גרה - contend, strive [5]
- chewing the cud or 'ruminating' is a metaphor for meditating on the things you have learned
- ↑ Nu 6:5 All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth [himself] unto the LORD, he shall be holy, [and] shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
- ↑ 06536 ref. 06537
- ↑ 08156
- ↑ 05927 ref. 05928
- ↑ 01625 ref. 01624
- ↑ Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am [he], and [that] I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.