Deuteronomy 12:27

And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.

And thou shalt offer {H6213} thy burnt offerings {H5930}, the flesh {H1320} and the blood {H1818}, upon the altar {H4196} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}: and the blood {H1818} of thy sacrifices {H2077} shall be poured out {H8210} upon the altar {H4196} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, and thou shalt eat {H398} the flesh {H1320}.

There you will offer your burnt offerings, the meat and the blood, on the altar of ADONAI your God. The blood of your sacrifices is to be poured out on the altar of ADONAI your God, and you will eat the meat.

Present the meat and blood of your burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD your God. The blood of your other sacrifices must be poured out beside the altar of the LORD your God, but you may eat the meat.

and thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of Jehovah thy God; and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of Jehovah thy God; and thou shalt eat the flesh.

Commentary

Context of Deuteronomy 12:27

Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," presents Moses' final addresses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land of Canaan. Chapter 12 is pivotal, focusing on the command to establish a single, centralized place of worship once they inhabit the land. This directive was crucial to prevent the adoption of pagan practices and to ensure the purity and unity of Israelite worship. Verse 27 specifically details the proper method for offering sacrifices at this designated sanctuary, distinguishing between burnt offerings and other types of sacrifices, thereby regulating their approach to God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Proper Worship and Obedience: The verse emphasizes that worship must be conducted according to God's specific instructions, not human discretion. This highlights the importance of obedience in approaching the divine.
  • The Significance of Blood: The repeated mention of "the blood" being offered or poured out underscores its profound importance in the Old Testament sacrificial system. Blood represents life (Leviticus 17:11) and was essential for atonement and purification.
  • Distinction in Sacrifices: The verse clearly differentiates between "burnt offerings" (Hebrew: olah) where the entire animal is consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication to God, and other "sacrifices" (Hebrew: zebachim, often peace offerings) where the blood is poured out, but the flesh is eaten by the worshiper and priests, signifying fellowship and communion.
  • Centrality of the Altar: The altar is presented as the sacred point of contact between God and His people, where life (blood) is offered and covenant relationship is maintained.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Burnt offerings": The Hebrew word is 'olah (ืขึนืœึธื”), which literally means "that which goes up" or "ascends." This refers to the smoke of the sacrifice ascending to God, symbolizing the complete devotion and surrender of the worshiper, as the entire animal (except for the skin in some cases) was consumed by fire.
  • "Blood": The Hebrew term is dam (ื“ึธึผื), which consistently carries deep theological weight throughout the Old Testament, representing life itself and being the primary means of atonement for sin.
  • "Sacrifices" (in the second part of the verse): The plural Hebrew term zebachim (ื–ึฐื‘ึธื—ึดื™ื) is a general word for sacrifices, but in this context, where the flesh is eaten, it typically refers to peace offerings (shelem) or fellowship offerings, which involved a shared meal between God, the priests, and the worshiper.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, the principles embedded in Deuteronomy 12:27 remain relevant for believers today:

  • Worship God on His Terms: Just as God prescribed specific ways of worship for Israel, our worship today should align with His revealed will, found in His Word. It's about reverence and obedience, not personal preference alone.
  • Total Dedication: The concept of the 'olah, the burnt offering, symbolizes complete surrender. We are called to offer our lives as a "living sacrifice," holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1), holding nothing back from Him.
  • Fellowship and Communion: The eating of the flesh in other sacrifices prefigures the communion we share with God through Christ, particularly emphasized in the Lord's Supper, where we remember His body broken and blood shed for us.
  • Reverence for Life: The sanctity placed upon the blood in the sacrificial system reminds us of the preciousness of life, which belongs to God, and the immense cost of atonement.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 17:11

    For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.

  • Leviticus 1:13

    But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring [it] all, and burn [it] upon the altar: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • Leviticus 1:9

    But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, [to be] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • Leviticus 1:5

    And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that [is by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

  • Leviticus 4:30

    And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar.
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