Apostolic FathersChristianityScholarly ReconstructionGreek / Latin / Syriac textual traditionsShareApostolic Fathers 123Ante-Nicene Christian Library - EnglishMoreVersion - 1 availableAnte-Nicene Christian LibraryLanguageEnglishEspañol‹Apostolic Fathers 1Apostolic Fathers 2Apostolic Fathers 3Apostolic Fathers 4Apostolic Fathers 5Apostolic Fathers 6Apostolic Fathers 7Apostolic Fathers 8Apostolic Fathers 9Apostolic Fathers 10Apostolic Fathers 11Apostolic Fathers 12Apostolic Fathers 13Apostolic Fathers 14Apostolic Fathers 15Apostolic Fathers 16Apostolic Fathers 17Apostolic Fathers 18Apostolic Fathers 19Apostolic Fathers 20Apostolic Fathers 21Apostolic Fathers 22Apostolic Fathers 23Apostolic Fathers 24Apostolic Fathers 25Apostolic Fathers 26Apostolic Fathers 27Apostolic Fathers 28Apostolic Fathers 29Apostolic Fathers 30Apostolic Fathers 31Apostolic Fathers 32Apostolic Fathers 33Apostolic Fathers 34Apostolic Fathers 35Apostolic Fathers 36Apostolic Fathers 37Apostolic Fathers 38Apostolic 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X.—Spiritual Significance Of The Precepts Of Moses RespectingApostolic Fathers 123ListenPlay this chapter in spoken English.Save chapterListen to chapter1Now, wherefore did Moses say, “Thou shalt not eat the swine, nor the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the raven, nor any fish which is not possessed of scales?”[588] He embraced three doctrines in his mind [in doing so]. Moreover, the Lord saith to them in Deuteronomy, “And I will establish my ordinances among this people.”[589] Is there then not a command of God that they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.[590] For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognise its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he, “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”[591] So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. 2“And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttle-fish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned[592] to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shalt not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shalt not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”[593] Because the hare multiplies, year by year, the places of its conception; for as many years as it lives so many[594] it has. Moreover, “Thou shalt not eat the hyena.” He means, “Thou shalt not be an adulterer, nor a corrupter, nor be like to them that are such.” Wherefore? Because that animal annually changes its sex, and is at one time male, and at another female. Moreover, he has rightly detested the weasel. For he means, “Thou shalt not be like to those whom we hear of as committing wickedness with the mouth,[595] on account of their uncleanness; nor shalt thou be joined to those impure women who commit iniquity with the mouth. For this animal conceives by the mouth.” Moses then issued[596] three doctrines concerning meats with a spiritual significance; but they received them according to fleshly desire, as if he had merely spoken of [literal] meats. David, however, comprehends the knowledge of the three doctrines, and speaks in like manner: 3“Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly,”[597] even as the fishes [referred to] go in darkness to the depths [of the sea]; “and hath not stood in the way of sinners,” even as those who profess to fear the Lord, but go astray like swine; “and hath not sat in the seat of the scorners,”[598] even as those birds that lie in wait for prey. Take a full and firm grasp of this spiritual[599] knowledge. But Moses says still further, “Ye shall eat every animal that is cloven-footed and ruminant.” What does he mean? [The ruminant animal denotes him] who, on receiving food, recognises Him that nourishes him, and being satisfied by Him,[600] is visibly made glad. Well spake [Moses], having respect to the commandment. What, then, does he mean? That we ought to join ourselves to those that fear the Lord, those who meditate in their heart on the commandment which they have received, those who both utter the judgments of the Lord and observe them, those who know that meditation is a work of gladness, and who ruminate[601] upon the word of the Lord. But what means the cloven-footed? That the righteous man also walks in this world, yet looks forward to the holy state[602] [to come]. Behold how well Moses legislated. But how was it possible for them to understand or comprehend these things? We then, rightly understanding his commandments,[603] explain them as the Lord intended. 4For this purpose He circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we might understand these things. ‹Previous chapterApostolic Fathers 122Next chapterApostolic Fathers 124›Similar passagesBy tradition and source labelFind similarCompare selectedCompare with similarAsk Deep ThoughtSelect passages to search for parallels.Tap any verse to select it, then compare selected passages or ask Deep Thought. Public domain in the United States via Project Gutenberg