(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.
You are to sacrifice the Pesach offering from flock and herd to ADONAI your God in the place where ADONAI will choose to have his name live.
You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name.
And thou shalt sacrifice the passover unto Jehovah thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which Jehovah shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there.
Thou shalt therefore sacrifice{H2076} the passover{H6453} unto the LORD{H3068} thy God{H430}, of the flock{H6629} and the herd{H1241}, in the place{H4725} which the LORD{H3068} shall choose{H977} to place{H7931} his name{H8034} there.
Deuteronomy 16:2 is part of the instructions given by Moses to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The historical context of this verse is the period of the Exodus, where the Israelites are transitioning from a nomadic life in the wilderness to a settled, agricultural life in Canaan.
Themes of this verse include:
1. **Observance of Religious Festivals**: The verse is a commandment regarding the observance of the Passover, one of the most significant festivals in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
2. **Centralization of Worship**: The commandment specifies that the Passover sacrifice should be offered in a place chosen by God, which later became Jerusalem. This reflects a broader theme in Deuteronomy of centralizing worship to prevent idolatry and ensure religious unity.
3. **Sacrificial System**: The verse emphasizes the importance of the sacrificial system in ancient Israelite worship. Sacrifices were a key means of atonement, thanksgiving, and communion with God.
4. **Divine Authority**: The phrase "the place which the LORD shall choose" underscores the idea that God has authority over the religious and social life of the Israelites, including where and how worship should be conducted.
5. **Covenant Relationship**: The verse reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Passover sacrifice is an act of obedience and a renewal of the commitment to the covenant stipulations.
6. **Inclusivity of the Community**: The instruction to sacrifice "of the flock and the herd" indicates that the celebration was inclusive of different economic statuses, as both sheep/goats (flock) and cattle (herd) were acceptable offerings, accommodating those who could not afford the more expensive cattle.
In summary, Deuteronomy 16:2 is a commandment that encapsulates the importance of religious observance, the centralization of worship, the sacrificial system, divine authority, covenant faithfulness, and communal inclusivity in the religious life of ancient Israel as they were about to enter the land of Canaan.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)