Deuteronomy 15:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Thou shalt eat [it] before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Each year you and your household are to eat it in the presence of ADONAI your God in the place which ADONAI will choose.

Berean Standard Bible:

Each year you and your household are to eat it before the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose.

American Standard Version:

Thou shalt eat it before Jehovah thy God year by year in the place which Jehovah shall choose, thou and thy household.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Thou shalt eat{H398} it before{H6440} the LORD{H3068} thy God{H430} year{H8141} by year{H8141} in the place{H4725} which the LORD{H3068} shall choose{H977}, thou and thy household{H1004}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Deuteronomy 12:17

  • Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

Deuteronomy 12:5

  • ¶ 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:

Deuteronomy 12:7

  • 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.

Deuteronomy 14:23

  • And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 15:20

Deuteronomy 15:20 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that outlines various laws and regulations for the Israelite community. The verse specifically refers to the consumption of the tithe, which is a portion of one's produce or livestock given to God as an offering. The historical context of this verse is the period when the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt and their subsequent wandering in the wilderness.

The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Worship and Obedience**: The act of eating the tithe before the Lord signifies worship and acknowledgment of God as the provider of all blessings. It is a tangible expression of obedience to God's commandments.

2. **Community and Family**: The inclusion of one's household in the consumption of the tithe emphasizes the importance of family and community in the religious life of the Israelites. It reinforces the idea that worship is not just an individual act but involves the entire community, including the next generation.

3. **Centralized Worship**: The reference to eating "before the LORD thy God" and "in the place which the LORD shall choose" points to the concept of a central sanctuary where God's presence is acknowledged. This would later become the Temple in Jerusalem, emphasizing the centralization of worship and religious life.

4. **Annual Observance**: The commandment to observe this practice "year by year" establishes an annual rhythm of worship and sacrifice, anchoring the Israelites' lives in a cycle of regular religious observance.

5. **Prosperity and Gratitude**: The broader context of the tithe laws (Deuteronomy 14:22-29) suggests that the consumption of the tithe is also a celebration of the agricultural cycle and an expression of gratitude for the harvest. It is a reminder that prosperity comes from God and should be acknowledged with thankfulness and generosity.

In summary, Deuteronomy 15:20 reflects the themes of worship, community, centralized worship, annual religious observance, and gratitude for divine provision within the historical context of the Israelites' preparation to inhabit the Promised Land.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H398
    There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָכַל
    Transliteration: ʼâkal
    Pronunciation: aw-kal'
    Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
  2. Strong's Number: H6440
    There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּנִים
    Transliteration: pânîym
    Pronunciation: paw-neem'
    Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
  3. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  4. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; 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 deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
  5. Strong's Number: H8141
    There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁנֶה
    Transliteration: shâneh
    Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
    Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
  6. Strong's Number: H4725
    There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָקוֹם
    Transliteration: mâqôwm
    Pronunciation: maw-kome'
    Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; 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); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever).
  7. Strong's Number: H977
    There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּחַר
    Transliteration: bâchar
    Pronunciation: baw-khar'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
  8. Strong's Number: H1004
    There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בַּיִת
    Transliteration: bayith
    Pronunciation: bah'-yith
    Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).