Deuteronomy 12:8

8 "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is 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 "There you shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the contribution of your hand, your votive offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.
7 "There also you and your households shall eat before the LORD your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the LORD your God has blessed you.
8 "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes;
9 for you have not as yet come to the resting place and the inheritance which the LORD your God is giving you.
10 "When you cross the Jordan and live in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies around you so that you live in security,
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