Deuteronomy 12:11

Authorized King James Version

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Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye 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 ye vow unto the LORD:

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֣ה H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 29
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַמָּק֗וֹם Then there shall be a place H4725
הַמָּק֗וֹם Then there shall be a place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 2 of 29
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִבְחַר֩ shall choose H977
יִבְחַר֩ shall choose
Strong's: H977
Word #: 4 of 29
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ unto the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֥ם your God H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֥ם your God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 29
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
בּוֹ֙ H0
בּוֹ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 29
לְשַׁכֵּ֤ן to dwell H7931
לְשַׁכֵּ֤ן to dwell
Strong's: H7931
Word #: 8 of 29
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
שְׁמוֹ֙ to cause his name H8034
שְׁמוֹ֙ to cause his name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 9 of 29
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁ֔ם H8033
שָׁ֔ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 10 of 29
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
שָׁ֣מָּה H8033
שָׁ֣מָּה
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 11 of 29
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
תָבִ֔יאוּ there thither shall ye bring H935
תָבִ֔יאוּ there thither shall ye bring
Strong's: H935
Word #: 12 of 29
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֵ֛ת H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 13 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 15 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָֽנֹכִ֖י H595
אָֽנֹכִ֖י
Strong's: H595
Word #: 16 of 29
i
מְצַוֶּ֣ה all that I command H6680
מְצַוֶּ֣ה all that I command
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 17 of 29
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
אֶתְכֶ֑ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עוֹלֹֽתֵיכֶ֣ם you your burnt offerings H5930
עוֹלֹֽתֵיכֶ֣ם you your burnt offerings
Strong's: H5930
Word #: 19 of 29
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְזִבְחֵיכֶ֗ם and your sacrifices H2077
וְזִבְחֵיכֶ֗ם and your sacrifices
Strong's: H2077
Word #: 20 of 29
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
מַעְשְׂרֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ your tithes H4643
מַעְשְׂרֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ your tithes
Strong's: H4643
Word #: 21 of 29
a tenth; especially a tithe
וּתְרֻמַ֣ת and the heave offering H8641
וּתְרֻמַ֣ת and the heave offering
Strong's: H8641
Word #: 22 of 29
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
יֶדְכֶ֔ם of your hand H3027
יֶדְכֶ֔ם of your hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 23 of 29
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְכֹל֙ H3605
וְכֹל֙
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 24 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִבְחַ֣ר and all your choice H4005
מִבְחַ֣ר and all your choice
Strong's: H4005
Word #: 25 of 29
select, i.e., best
נִדְרֵיכֶ֔ם vows H5088
נִדְרֵיכֶ֔ם vows
Strong's: H5088
Word #: 26 of 29
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 27 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּדְּר֖וּ which ye vow H5087
תִּדְּר֖וּ which ye vow
Strong's: H5087
Word #: 28 of 29
to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ unto the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 29 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

The command restated: 'Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you.' The phrase 'to cause his name to dwell there' (לְשַׁכֵּן שְׁמוֹ שָׁם, leshaken shemo sham) uses Tabernacle language—God's Name/Presence dwells at the chosen sanctuary. The comprehensive 'all that I command you' (repeated from v.6) emphasizes total obedience. Worship isn't à la carte; all prescribed elements must be brought. This creates accountability—the central sanctuary makes worship public, not private or hidden, preventing illicit practices.

Historical Context

The theology of God's Name dwelling at the sanctuary pervades Deuteronomy (12:11, 21; 14:23-24; 16:2, 6, 11; 26:2). This balances transcendence (God doesn't literally dwell in buildings) with immanence (God meets His people at the sanctuary). Solomon's dedication prayer acknowledges God dwells in heaven, yet 'his eyes and heart' are toward the temple (1 Kings 8:27-29; 9:3). Jesus later declares Himself the ultimate temple where God meets humanity (John 2:19-21).

Questions for Reflection

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