Deuteronomy 12:12
And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.
Original Language Analysis
וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם
And ye shall rejoice
H8055
וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם
And ye shall rejoice
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
1 of 18
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
לִפְנֵי֮
before
H6440
לִפְנֵי֮
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 18
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
וּבְנֵיכֶם֙
ye and your sons
H1121
וּבְנֵיכֶם֙
ye and your sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבְנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
and your daughters
H1323
וּבְנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
and your daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
7 of 18
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְאַמְהֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם
and your maidservants
H519
וְאַמְהֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם
and your maidservants
Strong's:
H519
Word #:
9 of 18
a maid-servant or female slave
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּשַֽׁעֲרֵיכֶ֔ם
that is within your gates
H8179
בְּשַֽׁעֲרֵיכֶ֔ם
that is within your gates
Strong's:
H8179
Word #:
12 of 18
an opening, i.e., door or gate
כִּ֣י
forasmuch
H3588
כִּ֣י
forasmuch
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:7And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.Deuteronomy 26:12When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;Deuteronomy 10:9Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.Deuteronomy 12:19Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.Deuteronomy 14:29And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.Psalms 147:1Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.Joshua 14:4For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.Joshua 13:33But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.1 Kings 8:66On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.2 Chronicles 29:36And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.
Historical Context
Numbers 18:20-24 explains Levites' unique status: 'I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.' They received tithes but no land. This made them economically vulnerable, requiring covenant community's support. Prophets later condemned Israel for neglecting Levites, widows, and orphans (Malachi 3:5). This verse's inclusion of servants reflects covenant ethics: even non-free persons participate in worship, foreshadowing Galatians 3:28's 'neither bond nor free.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does including economically vulnerable people (Levites, servants) in worship celebrations reflect covenant community values?
- What modern equivalents exist to 'Levites who have no inheritance'—those serving ministry full-time without independent wealth?
- How can we ensure corporate worship genuinely includes all demographics, not just dominant groups?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The command continues: 'ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.' The inclusivity is remarkable: family (sons, daughters), servants (male, female), and Levites all worship together. The Levites' landlessness (no tribal inheritance) made them dependent on other tribes' support. This verse establishes covenant obligation to include them in worship celebrations. Joy before God must be shared, not hoarded. The comprehensive list emphasizes that worship is communal, not just for heads-of-household.