THEOSISJerome of Stridon
In a literal interpretation, the entire chosen lineage, both royal and priestly, refers to Christians, who are anointed with the holy oil, as noted in the scripture, "Thou anointest Thee, O God, Thy God with the oil of gladness more than Thy partakers" (Psalm 44:8). Therefore, these directives are significant: it is forbidden to consume the remains of birds and cattle that have not had their blood spilled, a practice referred to in the Acts of the Apostles. This includes abstaining from fowl or livestock that winds up dead before proper slaughter, which the Scriptures identify as strangulation. Furthermore, this observance stems from the Apostles' guidance from Jerusalem (Acts 15), reinforcing the necessity of avoiding any dead meat found within cattle.
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Moreover, there exists a condemnation for those priests who, driven by their cravings, neglect these regulations concerning the consumption of certain birds or rodents. On a deeper level, we may also describe a lifeless individual whose spirit is devoid of vitality, akin to the character of Nabal from Carmel, whose name means foolish; upon hearing of David’s wrath, he trembled in fear, his heart turning to stone (1 Sam. 25).
This brings to mind the creature torn apart by beasts, for which the prophet cries out, imploring not to forsake the soul of the beast that confesses to You (Ps. 73:19). Such a one, ravaged and consumed by the enemy—a lion, the unchanging leopard, the bear claiming its young, and the predatory wolves of Arabia—symbolizes the various kinds of demonic forces. The birds signify those who lift their voices heavenward, while cattle represent those who, bent low and focused solely on the earth, cater only to their bodily desires.