Deuteronomy 12:8

8 Ye shall not do there those things which we do here today, each man that that seemeth rightful to himself.

Deuteronomy 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:8

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here
In the wilderness, where they had no abiding, but were continually removing from place to place, and could not always observe punctually and precisely the exact order and time of their sacrifices and other things, nor offer them at any certain place, and many were doubtless neglected by them; see ( Amos 5:25 )

every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes;
that did he, brought the above things when and where he pleased; not that there was no regard had to the laws and rules given, as if there was no priest in Israel; but they were not so exactly in all circumstances conformed to as they would be obliged to when they came into the land of Canaan, and had a certain place to bring their offerings to; so some in Aben Ezra observe, that one would give the firstling, another not, because it depended on the land, or was what they were obliged to only when they came into the land of Canaan; see ( Exodus 13:11 ) but he thinks the sense is, that they did not all fear God, and so did not do their duty.

Deuteronomy 12:8 In-Context

6 and ye shall come thither, and offer in that place your burnt sacrifices, and slain sacrifices, the tithes, and first fruits of your hands, and avows, and gifts, and the first engendered things of your oxen, and of (your) sheep. (and ye shall come there, and offer in that place your burnt sacrifices, and slain sacrifices, your tithes, and the first fruits of your hands, and your vows, and gifts, and the first-born males of your oxen, and of your sheep.)
7 And ye and your houses shall eat there in the sight of your Lord God; and ye shall be glad in all things to which ye put the hand, in which your Lord God hath blessed you. (And ye and your households, or your families, shall eat there before the Lord your God; and ye shall be glad in all the things to which ye put your hands, because the Lord your God hath blessed you.)
8 Ye shall not do there those things which we do here today, each man that that seemeth rightful to himself.
9 For unto the time that is now, ye came not to (the) rest, and to [the] possession, which the Lord God shall give to you.
10 Ye shall pass (the) Jordan (Ye shall cross over the Jordan River), and ye shall dwell in the land which your Lord God shall give to you, that ye rest from all (your) enemies about, and that ye dwell without any dread.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.