Deuteronomy 12:13

13 Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings just anywhere you like.

Deuteronomy 12:13 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:13

Take heed to thyself, that thou offer not thy burnt offerings,
&c.] And so any other, this is put for all the rest:

in every place that thou seest;
which might take with their fancy, seem pleasant, and so a proper and suitable place to sacrifice in, as on high places, and under green trees; but they were not to indulge their own fancies and imaginations, or follow the customs of others, but keep to the rules prescribed them by the Lord, and to the place fixed by him for his worship.

Deuteronomy 12:13 In-Context

11 you must bring everything I command you—your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your sacred offerings, and your offerings to fulfill a vow—to the designated place of worship, the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored.

12 “You must celebrate there in the presence of the LORD your God with your sons and daughters and all your servants. And remember to include the Levites who live in your towns, for they will receive no allotment of land among you.

13 Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings just anywhere you like.

14 You may do so only at the place the LORD will choose within one of your tribal territories. There you must offer your burnt offerings and do everything I command you.

15 “But you may butcher your animals and eat their meat in any town whenever you want. You may freely eat the animals with which the LORD your God blesses you. All of you, whether ceremonially clean or unclean, may eat that meat, just as you now eat gazelle and deer.