Deuteronomy 12:25 - 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 Yahweh’s eyes.

Generated Verse: Deuteronomy 12:25

What does "Deuteronomy 12:25" mean?


Deuteronomy 12:25 states: "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 Yahweh’s eyes." This verse is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 12:23-25) concerning the proper way to slaughter animals for food. Specifically, it is dealing with the blood of the animal.

Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:

"You shall not eat it;...": This refers back to the blood of the animal. The Israelites were commanded not to consume the blood of the slaughtered animal. This prohibition is rooted in the belief that the blood represents the life of the creature and belongs to God.

"...that it may go well with you, and with your children after you,...": This is a promise of blessing and prosperity. Obedience to God's commands, in this case, abstaining from eating blood, will result in a positive outcome, not only for the current generation but also for their descendants. This demonstrates the principle of generational blessing/consequence found throughout the Hebrew Bible.

"...when you shall do that which is right in Yahweh’s eyes.": This is the condition for receiving the blessing. The well-being of the people and their descendants is contingent upon their continued obedience to God's will and commandments. "Doing that which is right in Yahweh's eyes" encompasses a broad spectrum of righteous behavior, including following His laws, worshiping Him properly, and living morally. In this immediate context, it directly means following the instruction to properly drain the blood of the animal before consuming its meat.

In summary, the verse means:

If you obey God's command not to eat blood, recognizing that it represents life and belongs to Him, then you and your descendants will be blessed and experience well-being. However, this blessing is conditional upon your continued obedience and doing what is right in God's eyes. The verse emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the link between obedience and blessings.

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