Deuteronomy 12:21

21 "If the place which the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, then you may slaughter of your herd and flock which the LORD has given you, as I have commanded you; and you may eat within your gates whatever you desire.

Deuteronomy 12:21 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:21

If the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to put his
name be too far from thee
Or rather "for" ^F8, or "seeing" the place will be too far from thee; for it is allowed before that they might kill and eat flesh for common food in their gates, ( Deuteronomy 12:15 )

then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock;
of thy oxen and of thy sheep, creatures used in sacrifice; but this was no bar to the use of them for common food also:

which the Lord hath given thee, as I have commanded thee;
( Deuteronomy 12:15 )

and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after;
flesh of any sort, lawful to be eaten.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F8 (yk) "cum", Pagninus, Montanus.

Deuteronomy 12:21 In-Context

19 "Be careful that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.

20 "When the LORD your God extends your border as He has promised you, and you say, 'I will eat meat,' because you desire to eat meat, then you may eat meat, whatever you desire.

21 "If the place which the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, then you may slaughter of your herd and flock which the LORD has given you, as I have commanded you; and you may eat within your gates whatever you desire.

22 "Just as a gazelle or a deer is eaten, so you will eat it; the unclean and the clean alike may eat of it.

23 "Only be sure not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "in every desire of your soul"