Deuteronomy 12:16-26

16 But never eat the blood. Pour it on the ground like water.

17 You may not eat [the LORD's offerings] in your cities. Those offerings are: one-tenth of your grain, new wine, and olive oil; the firstborn of your cattle, sheep, or goats; the offerings you vow to bring; your freewill offerings; and your contributions.

18 Instead, you, your sons and daughters, male and female slaves, and the Levites who live in your cities must eat these in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose. There in the presence of the LORD your God enjoy everything you've worked for.

19 Don't forget to take care of the Levites as long as you live in your land.

20 The LORD your God will expand your [country's] borders as he promised. You will say, "I'm hungry for meat." Then eat as much meat as you want.

21 If the place the LORD your God chooses to put his name is too far away from you, you may slaughter an animal from the herds or flocks that the LORD has given you. Eat as much as you want in your city. I have commanded you to do this.

22 Eat it as you would eat a gazelle or a deer: Clean and unclean people may eat it together.

23 However, be sure you never eat blood, because blood contains life. Never eat the life with the meat.

24 Never eat blood. Pour it on the ground like water.

25 If you don't eat blood, things will go well for you and your descendants. You will be doing what the LORD considers right.

26 Take the holy things and the offerings you have vowed to bring, and go to the place the LORD will choose.

Deuteronomy 12:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 12

In this chapter orders are given to destroy all altars, pillars, groves, and images, made for the worship of idols in the land of Canaan, De 12:1-3 and to bring all sacrifices and holy things unto the place which the Lord should choose for his habitation, and not do as they then did, not being come to their rest, De 12:4-14, flesh for their common food might be killed and eaten in their own houses, provided they did not eat the blood, but poured it out upon the earth, De 12:15-25, tithes, vows, and freewill offerings, were to be eaten in the holy place, De 12:17-19 and burnt offerings to be offered on the altar of the Lord and the blood of them to be poured out upon the altar, De 12:26-28, all which they were carefully to observe, De 12:29, and they are cautioned against idolatry, and inquiring after the manner of it, as practised by the old inhabitants of the land, and introducing their customs into the service of God, De 12:30-32.