King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 16:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 16:7 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, an...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.”

Deuteronomy 16:7 · KJV

Context

5

Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee: sacrifice: or, kill

6

But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.

7

And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.

8

Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein. solemn: Heb. restraint

9

Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.

Read Deuteronomy 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Centralized worship at the sanctuary prevented local, unauthorized Passover observances. God designated one location for the sacred feast, preventing proliferation of heterodox practices.

The phrase within any of thy gates refers to local towns and cities throughout Israel's territory. Despite the convenience of local observance, God required the people to journey to the central sanctuary, demonstrating that worship convenience must submit to God's prescribed pattern.

This centralization served multiple purposes: maintaining purity of worship, preventing syncretism with Canaanite practices, fostering national unity through common pilgrimage, and ensuring proper priestly oversight of sacred rituals.

New Testament worship transcends geographical centralization - Jesus taught the woman at the well that true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and truth, not in Jerusalem or Samaria (John 4:21-24). Christ Himself becomes the meeting place between God and humanity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Before settlement in Canaan, Passover could be observed in homes. Deuteronomy's centralization requirement applied after conquest when the tabernacle (later temple) was established as permanent sanctuary.

This prevented the decentralized worship that led to syncretism during the period of Judges when everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Centralized worship maintained orthodoxy.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did God require centralized worship rather than permitting local convenience?
  2. What dangers does unauthorized, decentralized worship present?
  3. How does worship centralization promote unity and prevent heterodox practice?
  4. In what sense has Christ replaced geographical centralization as the meeting place with God?
  5. What principles about regulated worship remain applicable despite the end of temple-based religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וּבִשַּׁלְתָּ֙1 of 12

“And thou shalt roast”

H1310

properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen

וְאָ֣כַלְתָּ֔2 of 12

“and eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בַּמָּק֕וֹם3 of 12

“it in 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)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 12
H834

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

יִבְחַ֛ר5 of 12

“shall choose”

H977

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

יְהוָ֥ה6 of 12

“which the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ7 of 12

“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

בּ֑וֹ8 of 12
H0
וּפָנִ֣יתָ9 of 12

“and thou shalt turn”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

בַבֹּ֔קֶר10 of 12

“in the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֖11 of 12

“and go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְאֹֽהָלֶֽיךָ׃12 of 12

“unto thy tents”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

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 16:7 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 16:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 35:13Psalms 22:14-15John 2:23Deuteronomy 16:6Exodus 12:8-9John 11:55

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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