Deuteronomy 12:18 - but you shall eat them before Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh your God shall choose: you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates. You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God in all that you put your hand to.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Deuteronomy 12:18" mean?
Deuteronomy 12:18 is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 12:5-19) instructing the Israelites on where they should offer sacrifices and eat their tithes and offerings after they have settled in the Promised Land. Let's break down the meaning:
"but you shall eat them before Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh your God shall choose": This is the core instruction. The Israelites are commanded to eat certain offerings (likely referring to tithes and other specified sacrifices) not just anywhere, but in a designated place that God will choose. This centralization of worship is a key theme in Deuteronomy. It's meant to ensure proper reverence and prevent idolatrous practices that might arise if sacrifices were offered at various local shrines.
"you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates": This emphasizes inclusion. The eating of these offerings is not just for the head of the household. It's a communal event, including family members (sons and daughters) and even those of lower social standing, such as servants. Importantly, it also includes "the Levite who is within your gates." Levites, being a priestly tribe without their own land inheritance, were dependent on the support of the other tribes. Inviting them to partake in these meals was a way to ensure their well-being and integrate them into the community.
"You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God in all that you put your hand to.": This adds the element of joyful worship. Eating these offerings is not meant to be a somber or routine act, but a celebration and expression of gratitude to God for His blessings. The phrase "in all that you put your hand to" suggests that this rejoicing is connected to God's blessing on their work and endeavors. This rejoicing would likely involve singing, praising God, and generally expressing joy in His presence.
In essence, the verse means:
After settling in the Promised Land, you are to eat certain offerings (like tithes) at a central sanctuary chosen by God. This should be a joyful, communal event that includes your entire household, your servants, and the Levites living among you. It is a time to celebrate God's blessings on your work and express your gratitude.
Key takeaways:
Centralized Worship: The verse emphasizes the importance of worshipping at a designated place chosen by God, promoting unity and preventing idolatry.
Inclusivity: The eating of the offerings is not exclusive, but inclusive of family, servants, and the Levites, fostering a sense of community.
Joyful Gratitude: The act of eating is to be accompanied by rejoicing and gratitude to God for His blessings and provision.
Context is crucial: This verse is part of a larger set of instructions about proper worship and the removal of pagan practices from the land. Understanding this broader context helps to grasp the full significance of the verse.
Deuteronomy 12:18 - but you shall eat them before Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh your God shall choose: you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates. You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God in all that you put your hand to.
What does "Deuteronomy 12:18" mean?
Deuteronomy 12:18 is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 12:5-19) instructing the Israelites on where they should offer sacrifices and eat their tithes and offerings after they have settled in the Promised Land. Let's break down the meaning:
"but you shall eat them before Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh your God shall choose": This is the core instruction. The Israelites are commanded to eat certain offerings (likely referring to tithes and other specified sacrifices) not just anywhere, but in a designated place that God will choose. This centralization of worship is a key theme in Deuteronomy. It's meant to ensure proper reverence and prevent idolatrous practices that might arise if sacrifices were offered at various local shrines.
"you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates": This emphasizes inclusion. The eating of these offerings is not just for the head of the household. It's a communal event, including family members (sons and daughters) and even those of lower social standing, such as servants. Importantly, it also includes "the Levite who is within your gates." Levites, being a priestly tribe without their own land inheritance, were dependent on the support of the other tribes. Inviting them to partake in these meals was a way to ensure their well-being and integrate them into the community.
"You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God in all that you put your hand to.": This adds the element of joyful worship. Eating these offerings is not meant to be a somber or routine act, but a celebration and expression of gratitude to God for His blessings. The phrase "in all that you put your hand to" suggests that this rejoicing is connected to God's blessing on their work and endeavors. This rejoicing would likely involve singing, praising God, and generally expressing joy in His presence.
In essence, the verse means:
After settling in the Promised Land, you are to eat certain offerings (like tithes) at a central sanctuary chosen by God. This should be a joyful, communal event that includes your entire household, your servants, and the Levites living among you. It is a time to celebrate God's blessings on your work and express your gratitude.
Key takeaways:
Centralized Worship: The verse emphasizes the importance of worshipping at a designated place chosen by God, promoting unity and preventing idolatry.
Inclusivity: The eating of the offerings is not exclusive, but inclusive of family, servants, and the Levites, fostering a sense of community.
Joyful Gratitude: The act of eating is to be accompanied by rejoicing and gratitude to God for His blessings and provision.
Context is crucial: This verse is part of a larger set of instructions about proper worship and the removal of pagan practices from the land. Understanding this broader context helps to grasp the full significance of the verse.