Deuteronomy 12:18

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

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

The consumption location for sacred items: 'But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose...and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.' Consecrated items must be eaten at the sanctuary 'before the LORD'—in His presence. The inclusivity repeats: 'thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite.' Worship and celebration involve whole household and marginalized (Levites). Joy in God's presence while consuming consecrated food creates sacred fellowship, bonding community to God and one another. Worship isn't private but communal.

Historical Context

The fellowship offerings (Leviticus 7:11-36) allowed worshipers to eat portions after dedicating them to God. This created sacred meals celebrating covenant relationship. The Passover, eaten 'before the LORD,' commemorated redemption (Deuteronomy 16:1-8). The Lord's Supper continues this pattern—sacred meal celebrating covenant in Christ's presence. The recurring 'rejoice before the LORD' emphasizes worship's celebratory character, contrasting with pagan fear-based religion.

Questions for Reflection

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