The priests shall not eat of any thing that is dead of itself, or torn, whether it be fowl or beast.

The priests shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself, or is torn, whether it be bird or beast.

The priests shall not eat of any thing that is dead of itself or caught by a beast, whether it be fowl or cattle.

The priests shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself, or of that which is torn, whether of fowl or of beast.

The priests shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself, or is torn, whether it be fowl or beast.

Any carcase and torn thing, of the fowl, and of the beasts, the priests do not eat.

The priests may not take for food any bird or beast which has come to a natural death or whose death has been caused by another animal.

The priests shall not consume anything which has died on its own, or which was seized by a beast, whether from the fowl or the cattle."

The priests shall not eat of anything that is dead of itself, or torn,.... They shall have no need to eat of such things, being plentifully provided for with better; nor will it become them so to do through avarice, not allowing themselves to enjoy what is liberally given them. Here the Jewish doctors (t) observe that it is said, the priests shall not eat of these things, suggesting that Israelites might; this puzzles them, therefore they say, Elijah will explain this verse; and the gloss says, till Elijah comes, and explains it to us, we know not how to explain it. In the mystic sense it may signify, that the priests of the Lord should have no communication with such as are dead in sin, or are given to rapine and violence, and should abstain from everything of this kind themselves.
Whether it be fowl or beast; whether Pharisees and high flown professors of religion, or earthly and worldly persons, and such that are immersed in carnal pleasures, in sensual and brutish lusts. The allusion is to the law in Leviticus 17:15, which was common to all Israelites, priests and people.
(t) T. Bab. Menachot, fol. 45. 1.