גֵּרָה (ge.rah)
ge.rah
cud
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ge·rah, translated as 'cud', appears in the dietary laws of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. These passages outline which animals the Israelites could eat and which they could not. The requirement was specific: an animal had to both have a split hoof and chew its cud to be considered clean.
For many readers, these rules can feel distant from modern life. Yet they point to a broader theme of holiness and separation. By observing these distinctions, the ancient community learned to live differently, set apart for God’s purposes. It was a daily reminder that their way of living reflected their identity as God’s people.
Today, this concept invites us to consider how our choices reflect our faith. Just as the Israelites distinguished between clean and unclean animals, we are called to discern what aligns with God’s will in our own lives. This isn’t about rigid rules alone, but about cultivating a heart that seeks to honor God in every detail.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <of> cud5×
- cud3×
- <of> the/ cud2×
- and/ cud1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/גֵּרָ֔ה2×
- גֵּרָ֖ה2×
- וְ/גֵרָה֙1×
- גֵּרָה֙1×
- גֵּרָ֣ה1×
- גֵרָה֙1×
- גֵרָ֣ה1×
- גֵרָ֜ה1×
- גֵרָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 11:3
Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat.
This verse establishes the positive criterion for clean animals, requiring both a split hoof and chewing the cud.
-
Leviticus 11:7
The pig, because it has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you.
The pig is cited as unclean because it has a split hoof but fails to chew the cud, highlighting the necessity of both signs.
-
Deuteronomy 14:6
Every animal that parts the hoof, and has the hoof split in two and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat.
This repetition in Deuteronomy reinforces the same dual requirement for edible animals, emphasizing consistency in the law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ge·rah mean?
Why is chewing the cud important in Leviticus 11?
Which animals are mentioned as chewing the cud but being unclean?
Every Occurrence (9 verses across 2 books)
Leviticus 6 verses
Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat.
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 it…
Leviticus 11:5The hyrax, because it chews the cud but doesn’t have a parted hoof, is unclean to you.
Leviticus 11:6The hare, because it chews the cud but doesn’t have a parted hoof, is unclean to you.
Leviticus 11:7The pig, because it has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you.
Leviticus 11:26“‘Every animal which has a split hoof that isn’t completely divided, or doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you.…