King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 12:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 12:7 in the King James Version says “And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your hou...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.”

Deuteronomy 12:7 · KJV

Context

5

But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

6

And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

7

And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

8

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.

9

For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.

Read Deuteronomy 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The purpose: 'And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.' Covenant worship involves celebration, not just solemn ritual. The Hebrew samach (שָׂמַח, rejoice) emphasizes joy in God's presence and blessing. The phrase 'eat before the LORD' refers to fellowship offerings (Leviticus 3, 7:11-36) where worshipers consumed portions after dedicating them to God. This sanctified common meals, making eating an act of covenant fellowship. The inclusion of 'households' (family) emphasizes worship as communal, not merely individual. Joy flows from recognizing God's blessing on labor ('all that ye put your hand unto').

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israelite worship was festive, not austere. Pilgrimage feasts combined worship with family celebration. Psalm 122 captures joy of 'going unto the house of the LORD.' The fellowship offerings created sacred community meals, fostering relationships among worshipers. This contrasts with pagan worship's fearful appeasement and later Jewish legalism's burdensome rigor. True worship celebrates grace and blessing. New Testament worship similarly emphasizes joy (Philippians 4:4) and communal fellowship (Agape feasts, Lord's Supper).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should joy and gratitude characterize Christian worship rather than duty or dread?
  2. What role does recognizing God's blessing on our work play in authentic worship?
  3. How can modern worship services recapture the celebratory, communal character described here?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַֽאֲכַלְתֶּם1 of 15

“And there ye shall eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

שָׁ֗ם2 of 15
H8033

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

לִפְנֵי֙3 of 15

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֥ה4 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃5 of 15

“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

וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם6 of 15

“and ye shall rejoice”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

בְּכֹל֙7 of 15
H3605

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

מִשְׁלַ֣ח8 of 15

“in all that ye put”

H4916

a sending out, i.e., (abstractly) presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also (concretely) a place of dismissal, or a business to be disc

יֶדְכֶ֔ם9 of 15

“your hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אַתֶּ֖ם10 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבָֽתֵּיכֶ֑ם11 of 15

“unto ye and your households”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 15
H834

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

בֵּֽרַכְךָ֖13 of 15

“hath blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֥ה14 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃15 of 15

“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

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 12:7 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 12:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 12:18Deuteronomy 14:26Leviticus 23:40Deuteronomy 12:12Philippians 4:4Psalms 128:1-2

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Deuteronomy 12 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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