Deuteronomy 12:21
If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִרְחַ֨ק
there be too far
H7368
יִרְחַ֨ק
there be too far
Strong's:
H7368
Word #:
2 of 25
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
מִמְּךָ֜
H4480
מִמְּךָ֜
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַמָּק֗וֹם
If the place
H4725
הַמָּק֗וֹם
If the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
4 of 25
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 #:
5 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 25
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
לָשׂ֣וּם
to put
H7760
לָשׂ֣וּם
to put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 25
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
שְׁמ֣וֹ
his name
H8034
שְׁמ֣וֹ
his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
10 of 25
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁם֒
H8033
וְזָֽבַחְתָּ֞
from thee then thou shalt kill
H2076
וְזָֽבַחְתָּ֞
from thee then thou shalt kill
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
12 of 25
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
מִבְּקָֽרְךָ֣
of thy herd
H1241
מִבְּקָֽרְךָ֣
of thy herd
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
13 of 25
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וּמִצֹּֽאנְךָ֗
and of thy flock
H6629
וּמִצֹּֽאנְךָ֗
and of thy flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
14 of 25
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֤ן
hath given
H5414
נָתַ֤ן
hath given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
16 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוִּיתִ֑ךָ
thee as I have commanded
H6680
צִוִּיתִ֑ךָ
thee as I have commanded
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
20 of 25
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙
thee and thou shalt eat
H398
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙
thee and thou shalt eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
21 of 25
to eat (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Israel's territory at maximum extent (Dan to Beersheba, ~150 miles) made Jerusalem travel burdensome for northern and southern extremes. Three annual pilgrimage feasts required presence (Deuteronomy 16:16), but daily meat consumption couldn't require travel. This law permitted daily life to continue while reserving worship for central sanctuary. After division, northern kingdom used distance as excuse for rival sanctuaries (1 Kings 12:27-28), though that violated worship centralization itself.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish legitimate practical accommodation from unauthorized innovation in worship?
- What principles guide application of God's commands when circumstances make literal compliance difficult?
- How do modern churches balance gathering requirements (corporate worship) with practical limitations (distance, health, work)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Repetition for emphasis: 'If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock...and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.' The concession to distance ('too far') permits local slaughter while maintaining sanctuary exclusivity for sacrifice. The phrase 'to put his name there' reminds that sacredness derives from divine choice, not geography. Non-sacrificial meat consumption is permitted ('whatsoever thy soul lusteth after'), but sacred slaughter remains restricted. This practical accommodation prevents hardship while maintaining worship purity.