King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 12:27 Mean?

Deuteronomy 12:27 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.”

Deuteronomy 12:27 · KJV

Context

25

Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.

26

Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take, and go unto the place which the LORD shall choose:

27

And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.

28

Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.

29

When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; succeedest: Heb. inheritest, or, possessest them

Read Deuteronomy 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Sacrificial procedure: 'And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.' This prescribes central sanctuary sacrifice. Burnt offerings (olah, עֹלָה) were wholly consumed on altar; worshipers ate none. But peace offerings allowed worshipers to eat portions after blood was poured and fat burned. The altar location ('altar of the LORD thy God') emphasizes that sacrifice occurs at authorized location. Blood poured on altar atones (Leviticus 17:11); consuming flesh celebrates fellowship with God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Leviticus 1-7 details sacrificial procedures. The altar, first at Tabernacle then Temple, was the exclusive location for covenant sacrifice. Jeroboam's rival altars at Dan/Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-33) violated this, earning divine condemnation. Hebrews 13:10 declares Christians 'have an altar'—Christ's cross—from which we feast spiritually. Christ's sacrifice supersedes animal offerings, being perfect and final (Hebrews 10:1-18). The Lord's Supper enacts this spiritual feast on Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does blood poured out on the altar prefigure Christ's blood poured out for atonement?
  2. What does eating the flesh of sacrifice teach about participating in Christ's benefits through faith?
  3. How does the Lord's Supper continue the pattern of sacred meal celebrating covenant relationship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ1 of 17

“And thou shalt offer”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עֹֽלֹתֶ֙יךָ֙2 of 17

“thy burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְהַבָּשָׂ֖ר3 of 17

“the flesh”

H1320

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

וְדַם4 of 17

“and the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

עַל5 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִזְבַּח֙6 of 17

“upon the altar”

H4196

an altar

יְהוָ֣ה7 of 17

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ8 of 17

“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

וְדַם9 of 17

“and the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

זְבָחֶ֗יךָ10 of 17

“of thy sacrifices”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

יִשָּׁפֵךְ֙11 of 17

“shall be poured out”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

עַל12 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִזְבַּח֙13 of 17

“upon the altar”

H4196

an altar

יְהוָ֣ה14 of 17

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ15 of 17

“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

וְהַבָּשָׂ֖ר16 of 17

“the flesh”

H1320

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

תֹּאכֵֽל׃17 of 17

“and thou shalt eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

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 12:27 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 12:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 1:13Leviticus 1:9Leviticus 17:11Leviticus 1:5Leviticus 4:30

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