Deuteronomy 12:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

When the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} shall enlarge {H7337} thy border {H1366}, as he hath promised {H1696} thee, and thou shalt say {H559}, I will eat {H398} flesh {H1320}, because thy soul {H5315} longeth {H183} to eat {H398} flesh {H1320}; thou mayest eat {H398} flesh {H1320}, whatsoever thy soul {H5315} lusteth after {H185}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"When ADONAI your God expands your territory, as he has promised you, and you say, 'I want to eat meat,' simply because you want to eat meat, then you may eat meat, as much as you want.

Berean Standard Bible

When the LORD your God expands your territory as He has promised, and you crave meat and say, “I want to eat meat,” you may eat it whenever you want.

American Standard Version

When 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 12:20 provides a compassionate and practical adjustment to Israel's dietary laws, permitting the consumption of common meat for personal sustenance and enjoyment, distinct from sacrificial offerings. This permission is directly tied to God's faithful fulfillment of His covenant promise to enlarge Israel's territorial borders in the Promised Land. It acknowledges the natural human desire for food and demonstrates divine understanding of the practical challenges and changing realities of a settled, geographically dispersed nation, ensuring that daily life could proceed without undue burden while maintaining the sanctity of centralized worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader legislative framework of [Deuteronomy 12](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - Laws Concerning Worship at the Central Sanctuary"), a chapter primarily dedicated to establishing the centralization of Israelite worship. Moses emphatically commands that all sacrifices and offerings must be brought exclusively to "the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there" ([Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - The Chosen Place of Worship")). This imperative was crucial for preventing idolatry, ensuring doctrinal purity, and fostering national unity around a singular, divinely appointed sanctuary. However, recognizing the practical impossibility of requiring every Israelite, spread across a vast land, to travel to this central sanctuary for every instance of meat consumption, Moses introduces a vital distinction. Verses 15-19 precede verse 20, already granting permission to eat "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after" within their gates, explicitly differentiating between sacrificial meat (which remained bound to the sanctuary) and common meat. Verse 20 reinforces and expands upon this permission, linking it explicitly to the future enlargement of their borders, thereby providing a necessary and compassionate adaptation of the law to the realities of a settled, widespread population.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy is delivered to the second generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. Their nomadic existence had accustomed them to a lifestyle where meat consumption was often regulated and frequently linked to sacrificial offerings, as seen in [Leviticus 17:3-4](/leviticus/17-3-4 "Leviticus 17:3-4 - Rules for Slaughtering Animals Outside the Camp"). The primary diet in the wilderness was manna, supplemented by occasional, divinely provided meat (e.g., quail in [Numbers 11](/numbers/11 "Numbers 11 - The People Crave Meat")). As they prepared to inhabit the vast, agricultural land of Canaan, the logistical challenges of traveling to a single central sanctuary for every animal slaughter would be immense. Furthermore, the surrounding pagan cultures often integrated animal slaughter with idolatrous rituals. By explicitly permitting the eating of common meat "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after" outside the sacrificial system, God provided a practical solution that accommodated daily life, safeguarded against syncretism, and maintained the sanctity of the central sanctuary, demonstrating His understanding of human nature and His adaptability in applying His law to changing circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 12:20 illuminates several profound themes central to Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **God's faithfulness to His covenant promises**, particularly the land promise made to Abraham ([Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - The Abrahamic Covenant Land Promise")). The "enlargement of border" signifies the imminent fulfillment of this divine pledge, leading to a period of prosperity and secure dwelling. Secondly, the verse underscores **divine provision and compassionate accommodation**. God understands and provides for the natural desires and practical needs of His people, not just their spiritual obligations. This represents a gracious adjustment to the law, distinguishing between sacred and common eating. Thirdly, it illustrates the theme of **freedom within boundaries**. While granting significant liberty for daily meat consumption, this freedom is implicitly understood to operate within the established dietary laws concerning clean and unclean animals, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 14:3-20](/deuteronomy/14-3-20 "Deuteronomy 14:3-20 - Clean and Unclean Animals") and [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Dietary Laws"). Finally, it subtly reinforces the importance of **distinguishing between the sacred and the common**, ensuring that the centralization of worship at the chosen place remains paramount while allowing for the practicalities of everyday life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, frequently translated as Yahweh or Jehovah. Its presence here emphasizes that the enlargement of Israel's territory is not a human achievement but a divine act, a direct fulfillment of the promises made by the self-existent, eternal God who is in covenant relationship with His people. It underscores the divine authority behind both the promise and the permission granted in this verse.
* **Enlarge (Hebrew, _râchab'_):** This primitive root signifies to broaden, make wide, or make spacious. In this context, it refers to the expansion of Israel's physical territory, signifying a transition from a confined, nomadic existence to a settled, prosperous life within the boundaries God had promised. This "enlargement" is presented as a direct, active work of God, demonstrating His power and faithfulness in establishing His people securely in the land.
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** While literally meaning "flesh," in this context, it specifically denotes "meat" as a food item for consumption. The repeated use of this word throughout the verse highlights the specific subject of the permission, clearly distinguishing it from sacrificial meat. It refers to common, non-sacrificial animal product, emphasizing that the allowance is for daily sustenance and personal desire, not for ritualistic purposes.
* **Longeth / Lusteth after (Hebrew, _ʼâvâh'_ / _ʼavvâh'_):** These related terms (verb and noun) convey a strong, natural desire, craving, or yearning. The use of these words emphasizes that the permission to eat meat is granted to satisfy a genuine, personal, and common human appetite. It underscores God's compassionate understanding of human nature and His gracious provision for basic, even desired, needs, distinguishing between a natural craving and a sinful "lust."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee":** This opening clause establishes the foundational premise for the subsequent permission. It highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness as the initiator of the "enlargement," which is the fulfillment of His ancient covenant promise to Abraham regarding the land ([Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - The Abrahamic Covenant Land Promise")). This sets the stage for a period of prosperity and secure dwelling, where the practicalities of a dispersed population become relevant.
* **"and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh":** This clause introduces the human desire and the practical reality that necessitates the divine concession. It acknowledges that as Israel settles and spreads out across the land, the natural human appetite, represented by "thy soul" (Hebrew _nephesh_, encompassing the whole person's desires and life-force), will genuinely crave meat. This is presented as a normal, understandable longing, not a sinful craving, which God graciously recognizes.
* **"thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after."** This final clause grants the explicit and broad permission. It signifies that once settled and dispersed, Israelites are free to slaughter and consume clean animals for personal sustenance and enjoyment, without the previous requirement of bringing them to the central sanctuary as a peace offering. The phrase "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after" underscores the extensive freedom and breadth of this provision, implicitly understood to be within the bounds of the clean and unclean animal distinctions established elsewhere in the law ([Deuteronomy 14:3-20](/deuteronomy/14-3-20 "Deuteronomy 14:3-20 - Clean and Unclean Animals")).

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 12:20 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. The primary structure is a **Conditional Clause**, introduced by "When the LORD... shall enlarge... then thou mayest eat." This structure clearly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, linking God's sovereign action and covenant faithfulness (the enlargement of the border) to the subsequent human permission and freedom. There is also prominent **Repetition** of the word "flesh" (Hebrew _bâsâr_) and variations of the phrase "thy soul longeth/lusteth" (Hebrew _ʼâvâh_ / _ʼavvâh_). This repetition serves to emphasize both the specific dietary item being permitted and the underlying human desire that prompts the divine allowance, reinforcing the practicality and compassion inherent in the law. Furthermore, the verse functions as a direct **Divine Promise Fulfillment**, explicitly referencing "as he hath promised thee." This direct connection ties the immediate context to the broader narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, highlighting the continuity and unwavering reliability of God's word across generations and circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 12:20 offers a profound insight into the character of God, portraying Him not as a distant, austere lawgiver, but as a compassionate and intimately involved Father who understands and accommodates the practical needs and natural desires of His people. It underscores the principle that God's laws are not arbitrary burdens but are meticulously designed for the well-being and flourishing of humanity, adapting to changing circumstances while upholding core theological truths. This verse masterfully distinguishes between the sacred (sacrificial offerings exclusively at the central sanctuary) and the common (daily sustenance), demonstrating that not all aspects of life need to be ritualized, yet all of life is lived under God's gracious provision. It teaches us about God's generous hand, providing not just what is necessary for survival, but also what satisfies genuine human longing, all within the framework of His established order and for the ultimate good of His people.

* [Leviticus 17:3-4](/leviticus/17-3-4 "Leviticus 17:3-4 - Rules for Slaughtering Animals")
* [Numbers 11:4-6](/numbers/11-4-6 "Numbers 11:4-6 - Israel's Craving for Meat")
* [Deuteronomy 14:3-20](/deuteronomy/14-3-20 "Deuteronomy 14:3-20 - Clean and Unclean Animals")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 12:20 provides a powerful and comforting reminder that God is intimately concerned with every aspect of our lives, from our grand spiritual commitments to our most basic daily needs and desires. It teaches us that as God sovereignly blesses us and "enlarges our border"—whether through increased resources, opportunities, influence, or spiritual understanding—He also grants us greater freedom and responsibility in how we steward those blessings. This verse encourages us to recognize God's benevolent hand in providing for our natural longings and to receive His provisions with gratitude, understanding that true freedom is found within the wise and loving boundaries He sets. It challenges us to discern between what is sacred and set apart for worship, and what is common for daily life, ensuring that our pursuit of personal desires does not detract from our devotion to Him. Ultimately, it invites us to trust in a God who is both faithful to His promises and compassionate towards our human limitations and appetites, always working for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our perception of God as a strict lawgiver, revealing instead His compassionate and practical nature in adapting His commands to human needs?**
* **In what specific ways has God "enlarged your border" in your life—be it through material blessings, expanded influence, or spiritual growth—and how are you stewarding the increased freedom or resources that accompany these blessings?**
* **How can we discern between legitimate "longings of the soul" that God graciously provides for, and desires that might lead us astray from His righteous will or cause us to neglect our spiritual duties?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the balance between our primary spiritual duties (like centralized worship) and our everyday practical needs and desires, and how can we apply this balance in our own lives?**

### FAQ
**Was this a change in God's law regarding meat consumption?**

Answer: Yes, in a sense, it was a practical adaptation or clarification of the existing law to suit the new circumstances Israel would face in the Promised Land. During the wilderness wanderings, and as outlined in [Leviticus 17:3-4](/leviticus/17-3-4 "Leviticus 17:3-4 - Rules for Slaughtering Animals Outside the Camp"), the slaughter of an animal for meat was often linked to bringing it as a peace offering to the tabernacle. This regulation served to prevent idolatry and ensure proper ritual purity. However, as Israel was about to enter and spread out across the vast Promised Land, requiring every animal to be brought to a single, central sanctuary for slaughter would be logistically impractical and an immense burden. Deuteronomy 12:20, therefore, provides a compassionate concession, clearly distinguishing between sacrificial meat (which still had to be brought to the chosen place) and common meat for daily consumption. It allowed Israelites to eat meat "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after" within their own gates, provided it was a clean animal, thus accommodating daily life while preserving the sanctity of the central worship site.

**Does "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after" mean Israelites could eat anything they wanted, including unclean animals?**

Answer: No, the phrase "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after" must be understood strictly within the broader context of the Mosaic Law, particularly the comprehensive dietary laws concerning clean and unclean animals. These laws are clearly delineated in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Dietary Laws") and reiterated for the new generation in [Deuteronomy 14:3-20](/deuteronomy/14-3-20 "Deuteronomy 14:3-20 - Clean and Unclean Animals"). The permission granted in Deuteronomy 12:20 applies exclusively to animals designated as "clean" by God's law. The freedom being granted was in the *location* and *manner* of slaughter for common consumption (i.e., not needing to go to the central sanctuary), not in the *type* of animal consumed. The prohibition against unclean animals remained in full effect.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 12:20, with its emphasis on God's gracious provision for natural human longing and the freedom to eat meat outside of rigid ritualistic constraints, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to "enlarge our border," not geographically, but spiritually, bringing us into the vast and boundless kingdom of God through His atoning work. He is the true "meat" and "bread" that satisfies the deepest longings of the soul, declaring, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's perfect sacrifice, liberates believers from the ceremonial laws and dietary restrictions of the Old Testament, fulfilling them in a spiritual reality. As the apostle Paul teaches in [Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness"), "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." This echoes the freedom granted in Deuteronomy 12:20, but elevates it to a spiritual plane, where the true satisfaction of the soul comes from fellowship with God through Christ. He has made all foods clean, not by mere declaration but by His authority ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")), and has provided the ultimate sacrifice, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), allowing us to approach God freely, not through ritualistic animal slaughter, but through faith in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 19:8

And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;

Deuteronomy 11:24

Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.

Exodus 34:24

For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.

Genesis 28:14

And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 15:18

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Genesis 15:21

And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

Exodus 23:31

And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.