Deuteronomy 12:12-22

12 ibi epulabimini coram Domino Deo vestro vos filii ac filiae vestrae famuli et famulae atque Levites qui in vestris urbibus commorantur neque enim habet aliam partem et possessionem inter vos

13 cave ne offeras holocausta tua in omni loco quem videris

14 sed in eo quem elegerit Dominus in una tribuum tuarum offeres hostias et facies quaecumque praecipio tibi

15 sin autem comedere volueris et te esus carnium delectarit occide et comede iuxta benedictionem Domini Dei tui quam dedit tibi in urbibus tuis sive inmundum fuerit hoc est maculatum et debile sive mundum hoc est integrum et sine macula quod offerri licet sicut capream et cervum comedes

16 absque esu dumtaxat sanguinis quod super terram quasi aquam effundes

17 non poteris comedere in oppidis tuis decimam frumenti et vini et olei tui primogenita armentorum et pecorum et omnia quae voveris et sponte offerre volueris et primitias manuum tuarum

18 sed coram Domino Deo tuo comedes ea in loco quem elegerit Dominus Deus tuus tu et filius tuus ac filia servus et famula atque Levites qui manet in urbibus tuis et laetaberis et reficieris coram Domino Deo tuo in cunctis ad quae extenderis manum tuam

19 cave ne derelinquas Leviten omni tempore quo versaris in terra

20 quando dilataverit Dominus Deus tuus terminos tuos sicut locutus est tibi et volueris vesci carnibus quas desiderat anima tua

21 locus autem quem elegerit Dominus Deus tuus ut sit nomen eius ibi si procul fuerit occides de armentis et pecoribus quae habueris sicut praecepi tibi et comedes in oppidis tuis ut tibi placet

22 sicut comeditur caprea et cervus ita vesceris eis et mundus et inmundus in commune vescentur

Deuteronomy 12:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 12

In this chapter orders are given to destroy all altars, pillars, groves, and images, made for the worship of idols in the land of Canaan, De 12:1-3 and to bring all sacrifices and holy things unto the place which the Lord should choose for his habitation, and not do as they then did, not being come to their rest, De 12:4-14, flesh for their common food might be killed and eaten in their own houses, provided they did not eat the blood, but poured it out upon the earth, De 12:15-25, tithes, vows, and freewill offerings, were to be eaten in the holy place, De 12:17-19 and burnt offerings to be offered on the altar of the Lord and the blood of them to be poured out upon the altar, De 12:26-28, all which they were carefully to observe, De 12:29, and they are cautioned against idolatry, and inquiring after the manner of it, as practised by the old inhabitants of the land, and introducing their customs into the service of God, De 12:30-32.