Deuteronomy 12:8

8 You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes.

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 To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.
7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
8 You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes.
9 For you have not yet come to the resting place and the inheritance that the LORD your God is giving you.
10 When you cross the Jordan and live in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and He gives you rest from all the enemies around you and you dwell securely,
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