Deuteronomy 12:20
When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יַרְחִיב֩
shall enlarge
H7337
יַרְחִיב֩
shall enlarge
Strong's:
H7337
Word #:
2 of 22
to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)
יְהוָ֨ה
When the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
When the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֥יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֥יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 22
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
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גְּבֻֽלְךָ֮
thy border
H1366
גְּבֻֽלְךָ֮
thy border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּר
as he hath promised
H1696
דִּבֶּר
as he hath promised
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙
thee and thou shalt say
H559
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙
thee and thou shalt say
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
10 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
בָּשָֽׂר׃
flesh
H1320
בָּשָֽׂר׃
flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
12 of 22
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נַפְשְׁךָ֖
because thy soul
H5315
נַפְשְׁךָ֖
because thy soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
בָּשָֽׂר׃
flesh
H1320
בָּשָֽׂר׃
flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
17 of 22
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נַפְשְׁךָ֖
because thy soul
H5315
נַפְשְׁךָ֖
because thy soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Cross References
Deuteronomy 19:8And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;Deuteronomy 11:24Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be your's: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.Exodus 34:24For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.Genesis 28:14And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.Psalms 107:9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.Exodus 23:31And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.1 Chronicles 4:10And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.Deuteronomy 12:15Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.
Historical Context
The promised borders (Deuteronomy 11:24; Genesis 15:18) extended from Euphrates to Mediterranean. David and Solomon achieved near-fulfillment (2 Samuel 8; 1 Kings 4:21), though never permanent. The territorial promise remains partially unfulfilled, awaiting Messianic consummation. This verse's provision for distance assumes blessing of expansion, showing covenant obedience brings prosperity requiring practical accommodation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's law balance unchanging principles with flexible application to varying circumstances?
- What does promised territorial expansion teach about God's intention to bless obedient covenant people?
- How do Christians understand Old Testament land promises in light of global gospel commission?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Future territorial expansion: 'When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.' This anticipates blessing of increased territory making sanctuary even more distant. God accommodates this by permitting meat consumption despite distance. The phrase 'enlarge thy border' recalls promises to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). God's blessing (territorial expansion) creates practical challenges (distance from sanctuary), which His law addresses. This shows divine law's flexibility regarding circumstances while maintaining principles.