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Deuteronomy 12

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 12 of 34

1 These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall take heed to do in the land which Jehovah the God of your fathers has given to you, to possess it, all the days that you live on the earth:

2 Destroying you shall destroy all the places where the nations which you are dispossessing served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every leafy tree.

3 And you shall break down their altars, and shatter their standing pillars. And you shall burn their Asherahs with fire. And you shall cut down the carved images of their gods, and shall destroy their names out of that place.

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Chapter Summary

Objects of idolatry are to be destroyed. 5 The place of God's service is to be kept. 16, 23 Blood is forbidden. 19 The Levite is not to be forsaken. 29 Idolatry is not to be inquired after.

Key Hebrew Words

מִזְבּחֹתָ֗ altar H4196 · TWOT 525b
תִּזְבַּ֣ח slaughter for sacrifice H2076 · TWOT 525
זְבָחֶ֗י sacrifice H2077 · TWOT 525a
מַנְחִ֣יל get as a possession H5157 · TWOT 1342
מַצֵּ֣בֹתָ֔ pillar H4676 · TWOT 1398g

People & Context

Command to Destroy Pagan Worship Sites

Moses commands the destruction of all places where the dispossessed nations served their gods, including altars, pillars, Asherahs, and carved images.

Centralization of Worship

Israel is commanded not to worship like the pagans, but to seek the single place Jehovah will choose to put His name, bringing all burnt offerings, sa…

Permission to Slaughter and Eat Meat Locally

The people are given permission to slaughter and eat flesh within their gates according to their desire, but they are strictly forbidden from eating t…

Timeline

Command to Destroy Pagan Worship Sites

Moses commands the destruction of all places where the dispossessed nations served their gods, including altars, pillars, Asherahs, and carved images.

Deuteronomy 12:1-3
Centralization of Worship

Israel is commanded not to worship like the pagans, but to seek the single place Jehovah will choose to put His name, bringing all burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, and vows there.

Deuteronomy 12:4-14
Permission to Slaughter and Eat Meat Locally

The people are given permission to slaughter and eat flesh within their gates according to their desire, but they are strictly forbidden from eating the blood, which must be poured on the earth.

Deuteronomy 12:15-16

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