Deuteronomy 12:5
But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִֽם
H518
אִֽם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 18
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
הַמָּק֞וֹם
But unto the place
H4725
הַמָּק֞וֹם
But unto the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
4 of 18
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)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִבְחַ֨ר
shall choose
H977
יִבְחַ֨ר
shall choose
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
יְהוָ֤ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 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
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֔ם
out of all your tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֔ם
out of all your tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
10 of 18
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
לָשׂ֥וּם
to put
H7760
לָשׂ֥וּם
to put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
11 of 18
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁמ֖וֹ
his name
H8034
שְׁמ֖וֹ
his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
13 of 18
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
תִדְרְשׁ֖וּ
shall ye seek
H1875
תִדְרְשׁ֖וּ
shall ye seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:11Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:Deuteronomy 26:2That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.Deuteronomy 16:2Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.2 Chronicles 7:12And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.1 Kings 8:29That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.Psalms 78:68But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.Deuteronomy 12:13Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest:Colossians 2:9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.1 Kings 8:20And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.1 Kings 8:16Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.
Historical Context
During wilderness period, the Tabernacle moved with Israel. After conquest, it rested at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1; Judges 18:31; 1 Samuel 1-4) for approximately 300 years. After Philistines captured the ark and destroyed Shiloh (Jeremiah 7:12-14; Psalm 78:60), David brought the ark to Jerusalem, and Solomon built the Temple there (2 Chronicles 6:5-6). Jerusalem became the permanent 'place which the LORD chose.' This centralized worship prevented tribal fragmentation and maintained covenant purity (mostly—high places persisted despite Jerusalem Temple).
Questions for Reflection
- How does worship centralization (one authorized location/means) differ from modern religious pluralism?
- What does God 'choosing' the worship location teach about divine prerogative versus human religious innovation?
- How does Jerusalem Temple typology point to Christ as the ultimate 'place' where God meets His people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The positive command contrasts with verse 2-3's destruction: 'unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there...shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come.' This introduces worship centralization—one authorized sanctuary where God places His Name. The Hebrew maqom (מָקוֹם, place) will be specified later as first Shiloh, then Jerusalem. The phrase 'to put his name there' indicates divine presence and authorized worship. Unlike Canaanite worship at multiple sites wherever deemed sacred, Israelite worship must occur at God's chosen location. This centralization would unify the nation and prevent syncretistic corruption.