Deuteronomy 16:7
And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.
Original Language Analysis
וּבִשַּׁלְתָּ֙
And thou shalt roast
H1310
וּבִשַּׁלְתָּ֙
And thou shalt roast
Strong's:
H1310
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
בַּמָּק֕וֹם
it in the place
H4725
בַּמָּק֕וֹם
it in the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
3 of 12
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)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִבְחַ֛ר
shall choose
H977
יִבְחַ֛ר
shall choose
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 12
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
וּפָנִ֣יתָ
and thou shalt turn
H6437
וּפָנִ֣יתָ
and thou shalt turn
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
9 of 12
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
בַבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
H1242
בַבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
Historical Context
Before settlement in Canaan, Passover could be observed in homes. Deuteronomy's centralization requirement applied after conquest when the tabernacle (later temple) was established as permanent sanctuary.
This prevented the decentralized worship that led to syncretism during the period of Judges when everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Centralized worship maintained orthodoxy.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did God require centralized worship rather than permitting local convenience?
- What dangers does unauthorized, decentralized worship present?
- How does worship centralization promote unity and prevent heterodox practice?
- In what sense has Christ replaced geographical centralization as the meeting place with God?
- What principles about regulated worship remain applicable despite the end of temple-based religion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Centralized worship at the sanctuary prevented local, unauthorized Passover observances. God designated one location for the sacred feast, preventing proliferation of heterodox practices.
The phrase within any of thy gates refers to local towns and cities throughout Israel's territory. Despite the convenience of local observance, God required the people to journey to the central sanctuary, demonstrating that worship convenience must submit to God's prescribed pattern.
This centralization served multiple purposes: maintaining purity of worship, preventing syncretism with Canaanite practices, fostering national unity through common pilgrimage, and ensuring proper priestly oversight of sacred rituals.
New Testament worship transcends geographical centralization - Jesus taught the woman at the well that true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and truth, not in Jerusalem or Samaria (John 4:21-24). Christ Himself becomes the meeting place between God and humanity.