Deuteronomy 12:7

7 You will eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice with your household in everything you do,[a] because the Lord your God has blessed you.

Deuteronomy 12:7 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:7

And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God
The priests and the Levites, what was their portion, so Aben Ezra; but the people also are included, and by what follows seem chiefly designed, who were to eat their part of the sacrifices, particularly of the tithes and peace offerings, in the holy place that should be chosen and appointed; see ( Deuteronomy 14:22 Deuteronomy 14:23 Deuteronomy 14:27 )

and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto;
in all the labours of their hands, and what they got thereby, which they were cheerfully to enjoy, and express their thankfulness for it in this way; see ( Ecclesiastes 5:18 Ecclesiastes 5:19 )

ye and your households;
their wives, sons, daughters, men and maid servants; yea, with them Levites, strangers, fatherless, and widows, were to partake of some of their freewill offerings, ( Deuteronomy 16:10 Deuteronomy 16:11 )

wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee;
and these offerings were eucharistical, and by way of thanksgiving for the blessing of God upon their labours, for it is that which maketh rich, ( Proverbs 10:22 ) .

Deuteronomy 12:7 In-Context

5 Instead, you must go to the place the Lord your God chooses from all your tribes to put His name for His dwelling.
6 You are to bring there your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tenths and personal contributions, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.
7 You will eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice with your household in everything you do, because the Lord your God has blessed you.
8 "You are not to do as we are doing here today; everyone [is doing] whatever seems right in his own eyes.
9 Indeed, you have not yet come into the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit you put your hand to
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