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Deuteronomy 12:13

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 12:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest;
Deuteronomy 12:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10But when ye go over the Jordan, and dwell in the land which Jehovah your God causeth you to inherit, and he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;
11then it shall come to pass that to the place which Jehovah your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave-offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto Jehovah.
12And ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, forasmuch as he hath no portion nor inheritance with you.
13Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest;
14but in the place which Jehovah shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.
15Notwithstanding, thou mayest kill and eat flesh within all thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul, according to the blessing of Jehovah thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the gazelle, and as of the hart.
16Only ye shall not eat the blood; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Take heed to thyself, that thou offer not thy burnt offerings, etc.] And so any other, this is put for all the rest: in every place that thou seest; which might take with their fancy, seem pleasant, and so a proper and suitable place to sacrifice in, as on high places, and under green trees; but they were not to indulge their own fancies and imaginations, or follow the customs of others, but keep to the rules prescribed them by the Lord, and to the place fixed by him for his worship.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thy burnt - offerings - Nor the other things mentioned above, this one and most eminent kind being put for all the rest. Deuteronomy 12:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“This was directly opposed to the customs of the heathen idolaters, in offering their sacrifices on the tops of hills and mountains. Deu 12:6; Lev 17:2-5; Kg1 12:28-32, Kg1 15:34; Ch2 15:17 Deuteronomy 12:14”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 12 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification