King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 12:21 Mean?

Deuteronomy 12:21 in the King James Version says “If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.

Deuteronomy 12:21 · KJV


Context

19

Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth. as long: Heb. all thy days

20

When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.

21

If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.

22

Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat them: the unclean and the clean shall eat of them alike.

23

Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh. be: Heb. be strong


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Repetition for emphasis: 'If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock...and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.' The concession to distance ('too far') permits local slaughter while maintaining sanctuary exclusivity for sacrifice. The phrase 'to put his name there' reminds that sacredness derives from divine choice, not geography. Non-sacrificial meat consumption is permitted ('whatsoever thy soul lusteth after'), but sacred slaughter remains restricted. This practical accommodation prevents hardship while maintaining worship purity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's territory at maximum extent (Dan to Beersheba, ~150 miles) made Jerusalem travel burdensome for northern and southern extremes. Three annual pilgrimage feasts required presence (Deuteronomy 16:16), but daily meat consumption couldn't require travel. This law permitted daily life to continue while reserving worship for central sanctuary. After division, northern kingdom used distance as excuse for rival sanctuaries (1 Kings 12:27-28), though that violated worship centralization itself.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we distinguish legitimate practical accommodation from unauthorized innovation in worship?
  2. What principles guide application of God's commands when circumstances make literal compliance difficult?
  3. How do modern churches balance gathering requirements (corporate worship) with practical limitations (distance, health, work)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כִּֽי1 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִרְחַ֨ק2 of 25

there be too far

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מִמְּךָ֜3 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמָּק֗וֹם4 of 25

If the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר5 of 25
H834

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

יִבְחַ֜ר6 of 25

hath chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

יְהוָה֙7 of 25

which the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮8 of 25

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

לָשׂ֣וּם9 of 25

to put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שְׁמ֣וֹ10 of 25

his name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שָׁם֒11 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְזָֽבַחְתָּ֞12 of 25

from thee then thou shalt kill

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

מִבְּקָֽרְךָ֣13 of 25

of thy herd

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וּמִצֹּֽאנְךָ֗14 of 25

and of thy flock

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר15 of 25
H834

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

נָתַ֤ן16 of 25

hath given

H5414

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

יְהוָה֙17 of 25

which the LORD

H3068

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

לְךָ֔18 of 25
H0
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר19 of 25
H834

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

צִוִּיתִ֑ךָ20 of 25

thee as I have commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙21 of 25

thee and thou shalt eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ22 of 25

in thy gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

בְּכֹ֖ל23 of 25
H3605

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

אַוַּ֥ת24 of 25

lusteth after

H185

longing

נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃25 of 25

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


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 12:21 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 12:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study