Deuteronomy 12:18

Authorized King James Version

But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֡י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#3
לִפְנֵי֙
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#4
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
H430
thy God
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
#6
תֹּֽאכְלֶ֗נּוּ
H398
But thou must eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#7
בַּמָּקוֹם֙
H4725
in the place
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)
#8
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
יִבְחַ֜ר
H977
shall choose
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#10
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
H430
thy God
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
#12
בּוֹ֒
H0
#13
אַתָּ֨ה
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#14
וּבִנְךָ֤
H1121
thou and thy son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
וּבִתֶּ֙ךָ֙
H1323
and thy daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#16
וְעַבְדְּךָ֣
H5650
and thy manservant
a servant
#17
וַֽאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ
H519
and thy maidservant
a maid-servant or female slave
#18
וְהַלֵּוִ֖י
H3881
and the Levite
a levite or descendant of levi
#19
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֑יךָ
H8179
that is within thy gates
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#21
וְשָֽׂמַחְתָּ֗
H8055
and thou shalt rejoice
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
#22
לִפְנֵי֙
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#23
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#24
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
H430
thy God
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
#25
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#26
מִשְׁלַ֥ח
H4916
in all that thou puttest
a sending out, i.e., (abstractly) presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also (concretely) a place of dismissal, or a business to be disc
#27
יָדֶֽךָ׃
H3027
thine hands
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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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