Deuteronomy 12:17

17 "You are not to eat on your own property the tenth of your grain, new wine or olive oil [that you set aside for ADONAI], or the firstborn of your cattle or sheep, or any offering you have vowed, or your voluntary offering, or the offering from your hand.

Deuteronomy 12:17 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:17

Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or
of thy wine, or of thy oil
This cannot be understood of the tithe given to the Levites, or of that which the Levites out of theirs gave to the priests, for that was only eaten by them; but of the tithe which every three years they were to lay up within their gates, and which they were to eat with their families and others; but the other two years they were to carry it to the place the Lord chose, or turn it into money, and when they came thither purchase with it what they pleased, and eat it, they and their household, and others with them, before the Lord; see ( Deuteronomy 14:22-29 ) ,

the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flocks;
these also the firstborn males belonged to the Lord, and so to the priests, and could not be eaten by the people any where; and must be understood either of the next firstlings, which were the people's, or of the female firstlings, which they might devote to the Lord, and so not allowed to eat at home, but in the chosen place:

nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings;
which were species of peace offerings, and so to be eaten not in their own cities, but in the place appointed:

or heave offerings of thine hand;
the firstfruits; see ( Deuteronomy 26:1-11 ) these were such they were not bound to bring, but brought them freely.

Deuteronomy 12:17 In-Context

15 However, you may slaughter and eat meat wherever you live and whenever you want, in keeping with the degree to which ADONAI your God has blessed you. The unclean and the clean may eat it, as if it were gazelle or deer.
16 But don't eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.
17 "You are not to eat on your own property the tenth of your grain, new wine or olive oil [that you set aside for ADONAI], or the firstborn of your cattle or sheep, or any offering you have vowed, or your voluntary offering, or the offering from your hand.
18 No, you are to eat these in the presence of ADONAI your God in the place ADONAI your God will choose -you and your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, and the Levi who is your guest; and you are to rejoice before ADONAI your God in everything you undertake to do.
19 As long as you are living on your property, take care not to abandon the Levi.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.