Deuteronomy 12:21

21 It might happen that the designated place of worship—the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored—is a long way from your home. If so, you may butcher any of the cattle, sheep, or goats the LORD has given you, and you may freely eat the meat in your hometown, as I have commanded you.

Deuteronomy 12:21 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:21

If the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to put his
name be too far from thee
Or rather "for" ^F8, or "seeing" the place will be too far from thee; for it is allowed before that they might kill and eat flesh for common food in their gates, ( Deuteronomy 12:15 )

then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock;
of thy oxen and of thy sheep, creatures used in sacrifice; but this was no bar to the use of them for common food also:

which the Lord hath given thee, as I have commanded thee;
( Deuteronomy 12:15 )

and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after;
flesh of any sort, lawful to be eaten.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (yk) "cum", Pagninus, Montanus.

Deuteronomy 12:21 In-Context

19 And be very careful never to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.

20 “When the LORD your God expands your territory as he has promised, and you have the urge to eat meat, you may freely eat meat whenever you want.

21 It might happen that the designated place of worship—the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored—is a long way from your home. If so, you may butcher any of the cattle, sheep, or goats the LORD has given you, and you may freely eat the meat in your hometown, as I have commanded you.

22 Anyone, whether ceremonially clean or unclean, may eat that meat, just as you do now with gazelle and deer.

23 But never consume the blood, for the blood is the life, and you must not consume the lifeblood with the meat.