Deuteronomy 12:25

Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD.

Thou shalt not eat {H398} it; that it may go well {H3190} with thee, and with thy children {H1121} after {H310} thee, when thou shalt do {H6213} that which is right {H3477} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}.

Do not eat it, so that things will go well with you and with your children after you, as you do what ADONAI sees as right.

Do not eat it, so that it may go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD.

Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah.

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 12:25

Deuteronomy 12:25 is a concise yet powerful verse that encapsulates a fundamental principle of the Mosaic covenant: the direct link between obedience to God's commands and the promise of well-being and blessing. This specific command is a reiteration of the strict prohibition against consuming blood, a recurring theme in the Law.

Context

Deuteronomy chapter 12 focuses on Israel's future worship practices in the Promised Land, particularly the centralization of worship at a single, chosen place (Deuteronomy 12:5). Within this context, Moses delivers instructions regarding the eating of meat. While the Israelites are permitted to eat meat freely (unlike the strictures of the wilderness manna, provided it's from clean animals, they are given a crucial caveat: the blood must not be eaten. The preceding verses, such as Deuteronomy 12:23, explain that "the blood is the life." Therefore, consuming blood was seen as disrespecting life itself, which belongs to God, as well as a practice associated with pagan rituals. Verse 25 reinforces this command by explicitly stating the divine rationale behind it.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Blessing: The verse clearly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship: "Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee." God's commands are not arbitrary rules but are designed for the ultimate good and prosperity of His people. This theme is central to the entire book of Deuteronomy, where blessings are contingent upon faithfulness (see Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
  • Generational Well-being: The blessings promised are not limited to the individual but extend to "thy children after thee." This highlights the profound impact of parental obedience on future generations, emphasizing the covenantal nature of God's relationship with Israel and the importance of passing on a legacy of righteousness.
  • Divine Standard of Righteousness: The phrase "when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD" underscores that true righteousness is defined by God's perspective, not human opinion or cultural norms. It calls for a life lived in accordance with divine revelation, acknowledging God as the ultimate authority on what is good and just.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated as "right in the sight of the LORD" is hayyashar b'eyney Yahweh. The term yashar (יָשָׁר) conveys the idea of being straight, upright, just, or pleasing. It signifies moral integrity and ethical conduct that aligns perfectly with God's character and commands. This is not merely about outward conformity but an internal disposition that seeks to honor God in all actions.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 12:25, though rooted in ancient dietary law, offers timeless principles for believers today. It teaches us that:

  1. God's commands are for our good: Even when we don't fully understand the "why" behind a biblical instruction, we can trust that obeying God leads to genuine well-being and flourishing.
  2. Our obedience has ripple effects: Our choices, whether obedient or disobedient, can profoundly impact our families and future generations. Living a life that is "right in the sight of the LORD" sets a powerful example and lays a foundation for blessings for our children and beyond (compare Exodus 20:6).
  3. God's perspective matters most: We are called to live by God's standards of righteousness, not by the shifting values of the world. Seeking to do what is truly "right in the sight of the LORD" should be our ultimate aim, leading to a life that honors Him and brings lasting peace.
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

  • Isaiah 3:10

    Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

  • Deuteronomy 4:40

    Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong [thy] days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

  • 1 Kings 11:38

    And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do [that is] right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

  • Exodus 15:26

    And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

  • Deuteronomy 13:18

    When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do [that which is] right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.

  • Deuteronomy 6:18

    And thou shalt do [that which is] right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,

  • Psalms 112:2

    His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
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