Deuteronomy 12:20 - When Yahweh your God enlarges your border, as he has promised you, and you say, “I want to eat meat,” because your soul desires to eat meat; you may eat meat, after all the desire of your soul.
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What does "Deuteronomy 12:20" mean?
Deuteronomy 12:20 speaks to a future time when the Israelites will have settled in the Promised Land and their borders will have expanded according to God's promise. It deals with the consumption of meat. Let's break it down:
"When Yahweh your God enlarges your border, as he has promised you...": This establishes a context of prosperity and fulfillment of God's covenant. God promised to give the Israelites land and to increase their territory. This is a sign of His blessing.
"...and you say, “I want to eat meat,” because your soul desires to eat meat...": Previously, the Israelites were primarily allowed to eat meat only as part of sacrificial offerings at the designated sanctuary. This verse addresses a situation where people simply desire to eat meat for their own enjoyment, not necessarily as a religious act. The phrase "your soul desires" indicates a strong, personal craving.
"...you may eat meat, after all the desire of your soul.": This is the key point. It grants permission to eat meat outside of the sacrificial context. It acknowledges the legitimacy of a desire for meat and allows its fulfillment. This indicates a shift in how meat consumption is viewed. It's no longer restricted to religious rituals but can be enjoyed as part of everyday life, once the Israelites are established in the land.
Therefore, the verse is about:
Context of Blessing: It takes place in a time of prosperity and fulfillment of God's promises.
Legitimacy of Desire: It acknowledges the validity of desiring meat for personal enjoyment.
Permission: It grants permission to eat meat outside the sacrificial context, fulfilling one's personal desires.
Implications and Interpretations:
Shift in Practice: This verse represents a change from a primarily sacrificial context for meat consumption to one where it can be enjoyed as a regular food.
Personal Freedom: Some interpret it as allowing individuals a degree of freedom in their food choices, within the boundaries of kosher laws (which are assumed to be in effect even when slaughtering for personal consumption).
Responsibility: While granting permission, it implicitly encourages responsible consumption and acknowledgement of God's provision.
In essence, this verse reflects a move towards greater normality and personal freedom within the framework of the covenant relationship with God, while acknowledging that this is all contingent upon the fulfillment of God's promise.
Deuteronomy 12:20 - When Yahweh your God enlarges your border, as he has promised you, and you say, “I want to eat meat,” because your soul desires to eat meat; you may eat meat, after all the desire of your soul.
What does "Deuteronomy 12:20" mean?
Deuteronomy 12:20 speaks to a future time when the Israelites will have settled in the Promised Land and their borders will have expanded according to God's promise. It deals with the consumption of meat. Let's break it down:
"When Yahweh your God enlarges your border, as he has promised you...": This establishes a context of prosperity and fulfillment of God's covenant. God promised to give the Israelites land and to increase their territory. This is a sign of His blessing.
"...and you say, “I want to eat meat,” because your soul desires to eat meat...": Previously, the Israelites were primarily allowed to eat meat only as part of sacrificial offerings at the designated sanctuary. This verse addresses a situation where people simply desire to eat meat for their own enjoyment, not necessarily as a religious act. The phrase "your soul desires" indicates a strong, personal craving.
"...you may eat meat, after all the desire of your soul.": This is the key point. It grants permission to eat meat outside of the sacrificial context. It acknowledges the legitimacy of a desire for meat and allows its fulfillment. This indicates a shift in how meat consumption is viewed. It's no longer restricted to religious rituals but can be enjoyed as part of everyday life, once the Israelites are established in the land.
Therefore, the verse is about:
Context of Blessing: It takes place in a time of prosperity and fulfillment of God's promises.
Legitimacy of Desire: It acknowledges the validity of desiring meat for personal enjoyment.
Permission: It grants permission to eat meat outside the sacrificial context, fulfilling one's personal desires.
Implications and Interpretations:
Shift in Practice: This verse represents a change from a primarily sacrificial context for meat consumption to one where it can be enjoyed as a regular food.
Personal Freedom: Some interpret it as allowing individuals a degree of freedom in their food choices, within the boundaries of kosher laws (which are assumed to be in effect even when slaughtering for personal consumption).
Responsibility: While granting permission, it implicitly encourages responsible consumption and acknowledgement of God's provision.
In essence, this verse reflects a move towards greater normality and personal freedom within the framework of the covenant relationship with God, while acknowledging that this is all contingent upon the fulfillment of God's promise.