King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 12:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 12:15 in the King James Version says “Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the ble... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.

Deuteronomy 12:15 · KJV


Context

13

Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest:

14

But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.

15

Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.

16

Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.

17

Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A critical distinction: 'Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.' This distinguishes sacrificial slaughter (only at central sanctuary) from ordinary slaughter for food (anywhere). Before centralization, all meat consumption involved sacrifice (Leviticus 17:3-7). Now, with distant sanctuary, regular meat-eating is permitted locally. The phrase 'unclean and the clean' means ritually clean/unclean persons, not animals—both may eat non-sacrificial meat. This prevents worship centralization from eliminating meat consumption for distant tribes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This represents significant legal development from Levitical law. Leviticus 17:3-7 required all slaughter at Tabernacle to prevent offerings to 'demons' (שְׂעִירִים, se'irim, literally 'goat-demons'). Deuteronomy's centralization made this impractical—distant Israelites couldn't travel to Jerusalem for every meal. Thus, non-sacrificial slaughter becomes permissible. This demonstrates law's contextual application: principles remain, but application adapts to circumstances. The distinction between common and sacred remains critical.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse demonstrate that biblical law adapts application to changing circumstances while maintaining principles?
  2. What is the difference between sacred (worship) and common (daily) activities, and how do we maintain both?
  3. How do we avoid collapsing all life into 'sacred' (rigorous legalism) or reducing worship to 'common' (casual irreverence)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
רַק֩1 of 20
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

בְּכָל2 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אַוַּ֨ת3 of 20

lusteth after

H185

longing

נַפְשְׁךָ֜4 of 20

whatsoever thy soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

תִּזְבַּ֣ח׀5 of 20

Notwithstanding thou mayest kill

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

יֹֽאכְלֶ֔נּוּ6 of 20

and eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בָשָׂ֗ר7 of 20

flesh

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

כְּבִרְכַּ֨ת8 of 20

according to the blessing

H1293

benediction; by implication prosperity

יְהוָ֧ה9 of 20

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ10 of 20

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָֽתַן12 of 20

which he hath given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֖13 of 20
H0
בְּכָל14 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שְׁעָרֶ֑יךָ15 of 20

in all thy gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַטָּמֵ֤א16 of 20

thee the unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

וְהַטָּהוֹר֙17 of 20

and the clean

H2889

pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)

יֹֽאכְלֶ֔נּוּ18 of 20

and eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

כַּצְּבִ֖י19 of 20

thereof as of the roebuck

H6643

a gazelle (as beautiful)

וְכָֽאַיָּֽל׃20 of 20

and as of the hart

H354

a stag or male deer


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 12:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 12:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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