Deuteronomy12
English Standard Version
1 are the and you shall be to in the the Lord, the of your , has you to , the that you the .
2You shall the the you shall their , the and the and .
3You shall their and dash in their and their with . You shall the of their and their out that .
4You shall the Lord your in that .
5But you shall the the Lord your will out your to his and make his . you shall ,
6and you shall your and your , your and the that you , your , your , and the of your and of your .
7And you shall the Lord your , and you shall , you and your , in that you , in the Lord your has you.
8You shall according to we are , doing whatever is in his own ,
9 you have as to the and to the the Lord your is you.
10But when you the and in the the Lord your is giving you to , and when he gives you your , so that you in ,
11then to the the Lord your will , to make his , you shall that I you: your and your , your and the that you , and your that you to the Lord.
12And you shall the Lord your , you and your and your , your and your , and the is within your , he has or with you.
13 that you do your at you ,
14 at the the Lord will in of your , you shall your , and you shall that I am you.
15 , you may and within of your , as much as , according to the of the Lord your he has you. The and the may of it, as of the and as of the .
16 you shall the ; you shall pour it the like .
17 within your the of your or of your or of your , or the of your or of your , or of your that you , or your or the that you ,
18but you shall them the Lord your in the the Lord your will , you and your and your , your and your , and the is within your . And you shall the Lord your in that you .
19 that you do the as long as you your .
20 the Lord your your , he has you, and you , I will , you , you may .
21 the the Lord your will to his is too you, then you may any of your or your , the Lord has you, I have you, and you may within your .
22Just as the or the is , you may of it. The and the may of it.
23 be that you do the , the is the , and you shall the with the .
24You shall it; you shall pour it the like .
25You shall it, all may with you and with your you, you what is in the of the Lord.
26 the are due from you, and your , you shall , and you shall to the the Lord will ,
27and your , the and the , the of the Lord your . The of your shall be the of the Lord your , but the you may .
28Be to I you, it may with you and with your you , when you what is and in the of the Lord your .
29When the Lord your you the you to , and you them and in their ,
30 that you be to them, they have been you, and that you do about their , , did their ?—that I may the .
31You shall the Lord your in that , the Lord they have for their , they their and their in the to their .
32 I you, you shall be to . You shall add to or take from .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Deuteronomy 12.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Monuments of idolatry to be destroyed. (1–4). The place of God's service to be kept. (5–32).
vv1-4
Moses comes to the statutes he had to give in charge to Israel; and begins with such as relate to the worship of God. The Israelites are charged not to bring the rites and usages of idolaters into the worship of God; not under colour of making it better. We cannot serve God and mammon; nor worship the true God and idols; nor depend upon Christ Jesus and upon superstitious or self-righteous confidences.
vv5-32
The command to bring ALL the sacrifices to the door of the tabernacle, was now explained with reference to the promised land. As to moral service, then, as now, men might pray and worship every where, as they did in their synagogues. The place which God would choose, is said to be the place where he would put his name. It was to be his habitation, where, as King of Israel, he would be found by all who reverently sought him. Now, under the gospel, we have no temple or altar that sanctifies the gift but Christ only: and as to the places of worship, the prophets foretold that in every place the spiritual incense should be offered, Mal 1:11. Our Saviour declared, that those are accepted as true worshippers, who worship God in sincerity and truth, without regard either to this mountain or Jerusalem, Joh 4:21. And a devout Israelite might honour God, keep up communion with him, and obtain mercy from him, though he had no opportunity of bringing a sacrifice to his altar. Work for God should be done with holy joy and cheerfulness. Even children and servants must rejoice before God; the services of religion are to be a pleasure, and not a task or drudgery. It is the duty of people to be kind to their ministers, who teach them well, and set them good examples. As long as we live, we need their assistance, till we come to that world where ordinances will not be needed. Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we are commanded to do all to the glory of God. And we must do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to the Father through him. They must not even inquire into the modes and forms of idolatrous worship. What good would it do them to know those depths of Satan? And our inward satisfaction will be more and more, as we abound in love and good works, which spring from faith and the in-dwelling Spirit of Christ.
Key Words
אֵלֶּה: these or those
חֹק: an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
מִשְׁפָּט: properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
שָׁמַר: properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
נָתַן: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 12Contrast with the wilderness rule requiring all domestic animals to be killed as peace offerings at the tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus contrasts the Old Testament chosen place with spiritual worship under the New Covenant.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes the warning against everyone doing 'whatsoever is right in his own eyes' during chaotic periods.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The foundational, universal prohibition against eating meat with its lifeblood, established with Noah.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The first major historic fulfillment where the tabernacle was set up at Shiloh.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Solomon's temple dedicated as the permanent place chosen by God to put His name.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Establishes the central theme of a single chosen sanctuary where God puts His name.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicit theological grounding: the life of the flesh is in the blood, given for atonement.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the absolute prohibition against adding to or taking away from God's commands.
Supported by John Calvin
Indicts Israel for later adopting pagan worship under green trees and on mountains.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Reiterates the obligation to care for the landless Levites within Israel's gates.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Lists child sacrifice via fire as a chief abomination of Canaanite religion.
Supported by John Calvin
Internal chapter parallel emphasizing joyful, communal sacred meals at the chosen place.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Apostolic Decree continues the abstinence from blood for New Testament Gentile believers.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Repeats the promise of long-term blessing for doing what is right in God's eyes.
Supported by John Calvin