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Deuteronomy 12:21

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 12:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to put his name there, be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which Jehovah hath given thee, as I have commanded thee; and thou mayest eat within thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to put his name there, be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which Jehovah hath given thee, as I have commanded thee; and thou mayest eat within thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul.
Deuteronomy 12:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18but thou shalt eat them before Jehovah thy God in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before Jehovah thy God in all that thou puttest thy hand unto.
19Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest in thy land.
20When Jehovah thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul desireth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, after all the desire of thy soul.
21If the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to put his name there, be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which Jehovah hath given thee, as I have commanded thee; and thou mayest eat within thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul.
22Even as the gazelle and as the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat thereof: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof alike.
23Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou shalt not eat the life with the flesh.
24Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water.
← Deuteronomy 12:20Deuteronomy 12:22 →
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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
“If the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to put his name be too far from thee, etc.] Or rather “for” f123, or “seeing” the place will be too far from thee; for it is allowed before that they might kill and eat flesh for common food in their gates, (<051215>Deuteronomy 12:15) then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock; of thy oxen and of thy sheep, creatures used in sacrifice; but this was no bar to the use of them for common food also: which the Lord hath given thee, as I have commanded thee; (<051215>Deuteronomy 12:15) and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after; flesh of any sort, lawful to be eaten.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If the place ... - Rather, “Because, or since, the place will be too far from thee.” The permission given in Deuteronomy 12:15-16 is repeated, and the reason of it assigned. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“If the place be too far - Being obliged to carry their sacrifices to the place of worship, they might think themselves obliged to carry their other cattle thither to be killed. They are therefore released from all such obligations, and left at liberty to kill them at home, whether they lived nearer that place, or farther from it; only the latter is here mentioned, as being the matter of the scruple. As I have commanded - In such a manner as the blood may be poured forth. Deuteronomy 12:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:21 you may butcher: Because an animal’s blood was considered sacred (see Gen 9:4-6), even meat intended for human consumption was to be slaughtered at the central designated place of worship if that was at all practical (cp. Lev 17:8-9); if not, the animal could be sacrificed locally, but the blood still had to be disposed of in a ritually appropriate manner (Deut 12:23-25; cp. Lev 17:10-12).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“to put: Deu 12:5, Deu 12:11, Deu 14:23, Deu 14:24, Deu 16:6, Deu 16:11, Deu 26:2; Exo 20:24; Kg1 14:21; Ch2 12:13; Ezr 6:12 Deuteronomy 12:22”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification