Deuteronomy 12:22

Deuteronomy 12:22 is part of a larger section (Deuteronomy 12:20-28) that addresses the eating of meat when the Israelites are settled in the promised land and are far from the central sanctuary where sacrifices are offered. This verse grants permission for the consumption of certain clean animals for common food, distinguishing it from sacrificial meat.

Context

In Deuteronomy chapter 12, Moses lays out the laws concerning Israel's worship, emphasizing the importance of a single, centralized place for worshipping God and offering sacrifices. Prior to this, in the wilderness, all slaughter of clean animals was to be done at the tabernacle entrance (Leviticus 17:3-6). However, as Israel prepared to enter Canaan and spread throughout the land, it became impractical for everyone to bring every animal to the central sanctuary for slaughter. Verses 20 and 21 address this practical dilemma, allowing Israelites to slaughter and eat meat in their towns simply to satisfy their desire for it, "as much as thy soul lusteth after." Verse 22 then clarifies that this common eating is permissible for both the ritually clean and unclean, unlike sacrificial meals which required ritual purity.

Key Themes

• Dietary Freedom for Common Consumption: This verse highlights God's provision and permission for the Israelites to eat certain types of meat (clean animals like the roebuck and hart) outside of the strict sacrificial system. It recognizes a distinction between food for worship and food for daily sustenance.
• Distinction Between Sacred and Common: The passage underscores the difference between meat offered as a sacrifice to the Lord, which had stringent purity requirements, and meat consumed for personal sustenance. This distinction is crucial for understanding the broader Mosaic Law and the concept of the holy and the common (Leviticus 10:10).
• Inclusivity in Everyday Eating: The phrase "the unclean and the clean shall eat them alike" is significant. It means that an Israelite who might be ritually unclean (e.g., due to contact with a dead body, childbirth, or certain skin conditions) was still permitted to eat common meat. This contrasts sharply with the requirements for partaking in sacred offerings or entering the sanctuary.

Linguistic Insights

The animals mentioned, "roebuck" (Hebrew: tsevi - צְבִי) and "hart" (Hebrew: ayyal - אַיָּל), refer to types of gazelle and deer. These were common, clean, wild game animals in the region, often hunted for food. The inclusion of these specific animals emphasizes that the permission extends to non-domesticated animals as well, as long as they are among those designated as "clean" by Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 14:4-5). The terms "unclean" (tameh - טָמֵא) and "clean" (tahor - טָהוֹר) refer to ritual status, not moral standing, and were acquired through various actions or conditions outlined in Leviticus and Numbers.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 12:22 illustrates God's practical wisdom and grace in His law. While He demanded strict adherence to ritual purity for worship, He also made provisions for the daily needs and circumstances of His people. This verse reminds us that not every aspect of life is governed by the same strict ritualistic rules. For believers today, this can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament's re-evaluation of dietary laws, where the focus shifted from external purity regulations to the state of the heart and the spiritual condition (Romans 14:17). It highlights that God provides for our common needs, allowing for freedom and enjoyment within His established moral framework.