Deuteronomy 14:23

Authorized King James Version

And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֞

H398

And thou shalt eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

לִפְנֵ֣י׀

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

יְהוָ֥ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ

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

בַּמָּק֣וֹם

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)

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִבְחַר֮

H977

which he shall choose

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

לְשַׁכֵּ֣ן

H7931

to place

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

שְׁמ֣וֹ

H8034

his name

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

#10

שָׁם֒

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#11

מַעְשַׂ֤ר

H4643

there the tithe

a tenth; especially a tithe

#12

דְּגָֽנְךָ֙

H1715

of thy corn

properly, increase, i.e., grain

#13

תִּֽירֹשְׁךָ֣

H8492

of thy wine

must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine

#14

וְיִצְהָרֶ֔ךָ

H3323

and of thine oil

oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing

#15

וּבְכֹרֹ֥ת

H1062

and the firstlings

the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture

#16

בְּקָֽרְךָ֖

H1241

of thy herds

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

#17

וְצֹאנֶ֑ךָ

H6629

and of thy flocks

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

#18

לְמַ֣עַן

H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

#19

תִּלְמַ֗ד

H3925

that thou mayest learn

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

#20

לְיִרְאָ֛ה

H3372

to fear

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

#21

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#22

יְהוָ֥ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#23

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ

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

#24

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#25

הַיָּמִֽים׃

H3117

always

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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Deuteronomy 14:23

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Study Resources