American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Deuteronomy 12
1
These are the statutes and judgments, which you shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of your fathers gives you to possess it, all the days that you live on the earth.
Reference
2
You shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which you shall possess served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree:
Reference
3
And you shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and you shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 33:52
Zechariah 13:2
References God
Exodus 23:13
Sacrifice
Judges 2:2
Psalm 16:4
Deuteronomy 7:5
5
But to the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even to his habitation shall you seek, and thither you shall come:
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 8:29
Psalm 78:68
Deuteronomy 12:13
1 Kings 8:16
References God
Deuteronomy 12:11
Deuteronomy 26:2
Deuteronomy 16:2
Colossians 2:9
1 Kings 8:20
References Lord
2 Chronicles 7:12
6
And thither you shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and of your flocks:
7
And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, wherein the LORD your God has blessed you.
Reference
References God
Deuteronomy 12:18
Deuteronomy 14:26
Leviticus 23:40
Deuteronomy 12:12
Deuteronomy 14:23
Deuteronomy 27:7
Deuteronomy 15:20
References Lord
Philippians 4:4
8
You shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatever is right in his own eyes.
Reference
9
For you are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God gives you.
Reference
10
But when you go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God gives you to inherit, and when he gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety;
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 34:28
Deuteronomy 4:22
Deuteronomy 3:27
References God
Deuteronomy 11:31
References Lord
Jeremiah 33:11
11
Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall you bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to the LORD:
Reference
12
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; for as much as he has no part nor inheritance with you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 26:12
Deuteronomy 12:19
Joshua 14:4
References God
Deuteronomy 12:7
Deuteronomy 10:9
Deuteronomy 14:29
Psalm 147:1
Joshua 13:33
2 Chronicles 29:36
References Lord
1 Kings 8:66
13
Take heed to yourself that you offer not your burnt offerings in every place that you see:
14
But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.
Reference
15
Notwithstanding you may kill and eat flesh in all your gates, whatever your soul lusts after, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which he has given you: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.
Reference
17
You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your corn, or of your wine, or of your oil, or the firstborn of your herds or of your flock, nor any of your vows which you vow, nor your freewill offerings, or heave offering of your hand:
Reference
18
But you must eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God shall choose, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite that is within your gates: and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you put your hands to.
Reference
19
Take heed to yourself that you forsake not the Levite as long as you live on the earth.
20
When the LORD your God shall enlarge your border, as he has promised you, and you shall say, I will eat flesh, because your soul longs to eat flesh; you may eat flesh, whatever your soul lusts after.
Reference
Covenant
Deuteronomy 19:8
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 11:24
Genesis 28:14
Psalm 107:9
Exodus 23:31
References God
Exodus 34:24
1 Chronicles 4:10
Deuteronomy 12:15
21
If the place which the LORD your God has chosen to put his name there be too far from you, then you shall kill of your herd and of your flock, which the LORD has given you, as I have commanded you, and you shall eat in your gates whatever your soul lusts after.
Reference
References God
Deuteronomy 12:5
22
Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so you shall eat them: the unclean and the clean shall eat of them alike.
23
Only be sure that you eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and you may not eat the life with the flesh.
Reference
24
You shall not eat it; you shall pour it on the earth as water.
25
You shall not eat it; that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, when you shall do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 3:10
1 Kings 11:38
References Lord
Exodus 15:26
Deuteronomy 4:40
Deuteronomy 13:18
Deuteronomy 6:18
26
Only your holy things which you have, and your vows, you shall take, and go to the place which the LORD shall choose:
Reference
Holy
Numbers 18:19
27
And you shall offer your burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, on the altar of the LORD your God: and the blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the LORD your God, and you shall eat the flesh.
Reference
28
Observe and hear all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you for ever, when you do that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.
Reference
Word
Deuteronomy 4:40
29
When the LORD your God shall cut off the nations from before you, where you go to possess them, and you succeed them, and dwell in their land;
Reference
30
Take heed to yourself that you be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before you; and that you inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 10:2
Ezekiel 20:32
Ephesians 4:17
Ezekiel 20:28
References God
Deuteronomy 7:16
31
You shall not do so to the LORD your God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 32:35
Jeremiah 7:31
Exodus 23:2
Leviticus 18:3
References God
Deuteronomy 12:4
Deuteronomy 9:5
References Lord
2 Kings 21:2
Summary of Deuteronomy 12
Deuteronomy 12 provides further instructions to the children of Israel on the manner in which they should offer their worship to the Lord after entering the land of Canaan. Moses warns them that they shall destroy the places and objects of worship associated with the nations that previously inhabited the land. They must not adopt any of the practices of the pagan religions of this land. Rather, they have to worship the Creator in the manner prescribed by Him and at the place He will indicate. Moses advises them to observe all the statutes and ordinances that the Lord has prescribed in relation to His worship.
He begins by advising the Israelites to diligently observe and perform all the statutes that apply within the land that God has promised to give to them. Since the nations already inhabiting the land worshipped their gods on various peaks and beneath verdant oaks, they shall not follow their example and introduce alternative places of idolatry.
Instead, Moses instructs the Israelites to dismantle the altars and idols used by these nations for their pagan worship and to burn their groves. In addition, they must destroy the carved images of their deities and remove the names of their gods from these objects of worship. The Israelites were instructed not to tolerate the continued existence of the alters and objects of pagan worship; they had to completely destroy them. They were not permitted to simply leave the objects of idolatry and add the Lord’s altar alongside them.
Moses then draws the Israelites’ attention to the location where they must offer their sacrifices. They had to bring their offering to the place the Lord had selected as the one worthy of hosting His glory.
It is noteworthy that this location would acquire a special significance once the people of Israel settle in Canaan. Instead of every locality having its altar, all sacrifices would be offered at a single location.
Moses then indicates what offerings the Israelites had to bring to the Lord. They had to present their offerings of all types – the burnt offerings and sacrifices, tithes and special gifts, vows and freewill offerings, and the firstborn animals. They had to eat and rejoice before the Lord alongside their families.
It is noteworthy that Moses emphasizes the importance of rejoicing. The Israelites had to bring all these offerings in celebration of God’s generosity and have a joyful and festive time. Moreover, all members of society had to participate in this holiday, including slaves and Levites. The Levites did not have any land to inherit; hence, the Torah requires that the people remember them and make sure that they are not deprived of their share in the offerings.
Moses reminds the Israelites that the manner of their worship is different from that prescribed for them during their wanderings in the wilderness. While they did not have a permanent place of sacrifices during their journeys, having crossed the Jordan, they now have a place to stop and settle. Hence, their offerings to the Lord must be according to the Torah. The people had to recognize that it was the Lord who brought the victory; thus, they had to express their joy and gratitude to Him by offering all manner of sacrifices.
They had to bring these offerings to the sanctuary, where all the Israelites would be able to see them. Moses adds that the people could eat meat in their own towns. To this end, they could slaughter animals for food if they desired. However, they still had to bring any animal sacrifices to the place of worship the Lord had selected.
Moreover, the Torah warns the Israelites against consuming blood due to its sacredness – the life of the creature is in its blood. Hence, they had to drain the blood on the ground, for the Lord’s altar and had no right in retaining it. This law is particularly stressed throughout the Torah since it reflects the holiness of God and the sanctity of life. The people of Israel could not consider their lives and the lives of their animals sacred; rather, they had to acknowledge God’s sovereignty.
The Israelites also could not eat the holy things in their own towns. All the tithes and special offerings had to be brought to the Lord and used for the adoration of Him.
Moses repeats the injunction for all those participating in the service to include the Levites among the celebrants. Due to their service to the Lord, the Levites could not have any land of their own; thus, the people of Israel had to provide them with sustenance.
The last few verses of the chapter remind the Israelites of the prohibition to adopt the religious practices of the nations of Canaan. Moses warns them that they shall not inquire into the methods of their idolatry or introduce their rituals or gods. The peoples of Canaan employed various abominations in their worship, such as sacrificing children to their gods. Moses instructs the Israelites that they must not act similarly or attempt to appease the Lord by imitating the practices of the nations of Canaan.
The Torah prohibits Israel from adopting their traditions and customs; Israel’s religion had to be different from theirs. Moses warns the Israelites that imitating the nations of Canaan would cause them to sin. Thus, they had to refrain from following any foreign practices, traditions, or even ideas.
The final verses of this chapter reiterate the command to observe all the commandments of the Torah without addition or omission. The Israelites had to obey the word of the Lord, which Moses delivers to them.
Deuteronomy 12 emphasizes the importance of the separation between the faith of the people of Israel and the nations of Canaan. The Israelites had to bring all manner of offerings to the Lord at the location He had selected. Moses warns them against adopting the idolatrous practices of the Canaanite nations. This chapter stresses the need to distinguish between the Israelites’ personal meals and their sacrifices to the Lord. It instructs them to consume meat in their towns and outside the sanctuary. Moreover, it prescribes rules to Israel in relation to their worship of the Lord – eating the animals’ blood and offering their tithes to the Levites and priests. All the Israelites had to participate in the rejoicing in the Lord’s offerings to enable all members to acknowledge his greatness. Moses emphasizes the special status of the Levites due to their continuous service to the Lord, and warns them against denying them their share in the Israelites’ offerings. As all Israelites entered the lands of Canaan, they had to realize the importance of obeying the Torah in all matters of their worship of the Lord.
He begins by advising the Israelites to diligently observe and perform all the statutes that apply within the land that God has promised to give to them. Since the nations already inhabiting the land worshipped their gods on various peaks and beneath verdant oaks, they shall not follow their example and introduce alternative places of idolatry.
Instead, Moses instructs the Israelites to dismantle the altars and idols used by these nations for their pagan worship and to burn their groves. In addition, they must destroy the carved images of their deities and remove the names of their gods from these objects of worship. The Israelites were instructed not to tolerate the continued existence of the alters and objects of pagan worship; they had to completely destroy them. They were not permitted to simply leave the objects of idolatry and add the Lord’s altar alongside them.
Moses then draws the Israelites’ attention to the location where they must offer their sacrifices. They had to bring their offering to the place the Lord had selected as the one worthy of hosting His glory.
It is noteworthy that this location would acquire a special significance once the people of Israel settle in Canaan. Instead of every locality having its altar, all sacrifices would be offered at a single location.
Moses then indicates what offerings the Israelites had to bring to the Lord. They had to present their offerings of all types – the burnt offerings and sacrifices, tithes and special gifts, vows and freewill offerings, and the firstborn animals. They had to eat and rejoice before the Lord alongside their families.
It is noteworthy that Moses emphasizes the importance of rejoicing. The Israelites had to bring all these offerings in celebration of God’s generosity and have a joyful and festive time. Moreover, all members of society had to participate in this holiday, including slaves and Levites. The Levites did not have any land to inherit; hence, the Torah requires that the people remember them and make sure that they are not deprived of their share in the offerings.
Moses reminds the Israelites that the manner of their worship is different from that prescribed for them during their wanderings in the wilderness. While they did not have a permanent place of sacrifices during their journeys, having crossed the Jordan, they now have a place to stop and settle. Hence, their offerings to the Lord must be according to the Torah. The people had to recognize that it was the Lord who brought the victory; thus, they had to express their joy and gratitude to Him by offering all manner of sacrifices.
They had to bring these offerings to the sanctuary, where all the Israelites would be able to see them. Moses adds that the people could eat meat in their own towns. To this end, they could slaughter animals for food if they desired. However, they still had to bring any animal sacrifices to the place of worship the Lord had selected.
Moreover, the Torah warns the Israelites against consuming blood due to its sacredness – the life of the creature is in its blood. Hence, they had to drain the blood on the ground, for the Lord’s altar and had no right in retaining it. This law is particularly stressed throughout the Torah since it reflects the holiness of God and the sanctity of life. The people of Israel could not consider their lives and the lives of their animals sacred; rather, they had to acknowledge God’s sovereignty.
The Israelites also could not eat the holy things in their own towns. All the tithes and special offerings had to be brought to the Lord and used for the adoration of Him.
Moses repeats the injunction for all those participating in the service to include the Levites among the celebrants. Due to their service to the Lord, the Levites could not have any land of their own; thus, the people of Israel had to provide them with sustenance.
The last few verses of the chapter remind the Israelites of the prohibition to adopt the religious practices of the nations of Canaan. Moses warns them that they shall not inquire into the methods of their idolatry or introduce their rituals or gods. The peoples of Canaan employed various abominations in their worship, such as sacrificing children to their gods. Moses instructs the Israelites that they must not act similarly or attempt to appease the Lord by imitating the practices of the nations of Canaan.
The Torah prohibits Israel from adopting their traditions and customs; Israel’s religion had to be different from theirs. Moses warns the Israelites that imitating the nations of Canaan would cause them to sin. Thus, they had to refrain from following any foreign practices, traditions, or even ideas.
The final verses of this chapter reiterate the command to observe all the commandments of the Torah without addition or omission. The Israelites had to obey the word of the Lord, which Moses delivers to them.
Deuteronomy 12 emphasizes the importance of the separation between the faith of the people of Israel and the nations of Canaan. The Israelites had to bring all manner of offerings to the Lord at the location He had selected. Moses warns them against adopting the idolatrous practices of the Canaanite nations. This chapter stresses the need to distinguish between the Israelites’ personal meals and their sacrifices to the Lord. It instructs them to consume meat in their towns and outside the sanctuary. Moreover, it prescribes rules to Israel in relation to their worship of the Lord – eating the animals’ blood and offering their tithes to the Levites and priests. All the Israelites had to participate in the rejoicing in the Lord’s offerings to enable all members to acknowledge his greatness. Moses emphasizes the special status of the Levites due to their continuous service to the Lord, and warns them against denying them their share in the Israelites’ offerings. As all Israelites entered the lands of Canaan, they had to realize the importance of obeying the Torah in all matters of their worship of the Lord.