Deuteronomy 12:15

Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.

Notwithstanding thou mayest kill {H2076} and eat {H398} flesh {H1320} in all thy gates {H8179}, whatsoever thy soul {H5315} lusteth after {H185}, according to the blessing {H1293} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} which he hath given {H5414} thee: the unclean {H2931} and the clean {H2889} may eat {H398} thereof, as of the roebuck {H6643}, and as of the hart {H354}.

However, you may slaughter and eat meat wherever you live and whenever you want, in keeping with the degree to which ADONAI your God has blessed you. The unclean and the clean may eat it, as if it were gazelle or deer.

But whenever you want, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you. Both the ceremonially clean and unclean may eat it as they would a gazelle or deer,

Notwithstanding, 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.

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 12:15 provides a crucial clarification within a chapter primarily focused on the centralization of worship and sacrifice in the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 12:1-14) strongly command the Israelites to destroy pagan altars and to bring all their tithes, offerings, and sacrifices to "the place which the LORD your God shall choose" – a single, designated sanctuary. This strict requirement would have posed a practical challenge for daily living, as people would be dispersed across the land.

This verse, therefore, offers a concession: while sacrificial meat had to be consumed at the central sanctuary, common, non-sacrificial meat could be eaten freely anywhere within their towns ('in all thy gates'), without the need to travel to the tabernacle or temple. It addresses the practicalities of daily sustenance versus the holiness of worship.

Key Themes

  • Distinction Between Sacred and Common Eating: The verse clearly differentiates between meat consumed as part of a ritual sacrifice and meat eaten for general sustenance. This distinction was vital for maintaining the sanctity of the sacrificial system while allowing for everyday life.
  • God's Gracious Provision and Blessing: It underscores God's generosity, allowing His people to enjoy the "blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee." This highlights His desire for their well-being and practical needs to be met, even as they adhered to His covenant.
  • Inclusion of the Ceremonially Unclean: A significant aspect is the permission for "the unclean and the clean may eat thereof." Under Old Testament law, individuals could become ceremonially unclean for various reasons (e.g., touching a dead body, certain bodily discharges), which would temporarily exclude them from participating in sacred rituals or consuming holy food. This verse graciously permits them to partake in common meals, demonstrating God's practical consideration for His people's daily lives and social interaction, unlike the strictures around sacrificial participation.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after" (Hebrew: kol 'awwat naphsheka) simply means "whatever your appetite desires" or "craves." It conveys permission to eat meat according to one's desire, emphasizing freedom in common dietary choices, provided the animal itself was considered clean.
  • The mention of "roebuck, and as of the hart" refers to specific types of clean, wild game common in the ancient Near East. These animals were not domesticated livestock typically used for sacrifices, further reinforcing that the meat being discussed is for ordinary consumption, not ritual offering.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 12:15 illustrates God's balanced approach to His covenant people, providing both strict commands for holiness in worship and gracious provisions for practical living. It reminds us that while God requires reverence and obedience, He also understands and provides for our daily needs.

For believers today, this verse offers a glimpse into God's heart for His people's well-being. While the specific Old Testament dietary laws and sacrificial system are fulfilled in Christ, the principle of enjoying God's blessings with gratitude and moderation remains. The New Testament further clarifies that in Christ, ceremonial distinctions regarding clean and unclean foods are largely set aside (Mark 7:19, Acts 10:15), emphasizing spiritual purity over ritualistic dietary restrictions. This verse, in its original context, already hints at God's practical grace in daily life.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 14:5

    The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.

  • Deuteronomy 14:26

    And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

  • Deuteronomy 12:20

    When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.

  • Deuteronomy 12:23

    Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood [is] the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.

  • Deuteronomy 15:22

    Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean [person shall eat it] alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart.

  • Deuteronomy 15:23

    Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.

  • Leviticus 17:3

    What man soever [there be] of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth [it] out of the camp,
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