Deuteronomy 12:5

ยถ But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

But unto the place {H4725} which the LORD {H3068} your God {H430} shall choose {H977} out of all your tribes {H7626} to put {H7760} his name {H8034} there, even unto his habitation {H7933} shall ye seek {H1875}, and thither thou shalt come {H935}:

Rather, you are to come to the place where ADONAI your God will put his name. He will choose it from all your tribes; and you will seek out that place, which is where he will live, and go there.

Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.

But unto the place which Jehovah your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:5 introduces a foundational principle for Israel's worship once they enter the Promised Land: the establishment of a single, central place where God would choose to "put his name" and dwell among His people. This command was crucial for maintaining the purity of Israel's faith and preventing the syncretism and idolatry prevalent in the surrounding Canaanite cultures.

Context

This verse is part of Moses's second major discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they cross into Canaan. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 12:1-4) strongly condemn the pagan worship practices of the nations they are about to dispossess, specifically commanding the destruction of their altars, pillars, and Asherah poles. In stark contrast to the decentralized, often nature-based worship of the Canaanites, God instructs Israel to seek out and come to a specific, divinely chosen location for their sacrifices, offerings, and festivals. This central sanctuary would eventually be Jerusalem, where the Temple would be built, serving as a focal point for the twelve tribes and ensuring unified, authorized worship, as seen in Solomon's dedication of the Temple.

Key Themes

  • Centralized Worship: The command for a single, designated place of worship was revolutionary. It aimed to prevent the splintering of Israel's faith into local cults and to safeguard against the adoption of pagan rituals, emphasizing the unity of God's people under one Lord.
  • Divine Choice: The location is not left to human preference or convenience but is explicitly stated as "the place which the LORD your God shall choose." This highlights God's sovereignty and authority over His people's worship. His choice ensures purity and legitimacy.
  • God's Presence and Name: To "put his name there" signifies that this is where God would uniquely manifest His presence, authority, and character. It's a place where His covenant promises would be affirmed and where He would meet with His people. The phrase "his habitation" further underscores this idea, echoing the purpose of the Tabernacle as a place for God to dwell among them (Exodus 25:8).
  • Seeking and Coming: The commands "shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come" emphasize intentionality, obedience, and pilgrimage. Worship was not to be a casual affair but a deliberate act of seeking God's face and presenting oneself before Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "to put his name there" (Hebrew: lasum et-sh'mo sham, ืœึธืฉื‚ื•ึผื ืึถืช-ืฉึฐืืžื•ึน ืฉึธืื) is significant. It doesn't imply that God's infinite being is contained within a physical space, but rather that His presence, authority, and glory would be uniquely revealed and honored at that specific location. It is where His character would be known and invoked. Similarly, "his habitation" (Hebrew: l'shikhno, ืœึฐืฉึดืื›ึฐื ื•ึน) comes from the root *shakan*, meaning "to dwell" or "to abide," the same root from which the post-biblical term *Shekinah* (referring to the visible manifestation of God's presence) is derived. This highlights the concept of God's chosen dwelling place among His people.

Practical Application

While believers today do not journey to a physical temple in Jerusalem for worship, the principles of Deuteronomy 12:5 remain profoundly relevant:

  • The Centrality of Christ: Just as Israel's worship was to be centered on God's chosen place, Christian worship is centered on Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "place" where God's name is truly put and where we meet with God, being the full revelation of the Father (John 14:6).
  • The Church as God's Dwelling: The New Testament teaches that believers, individually and corporately, are now God's temple and habitation by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21-22). Our gatherings as the church are a place where God's name is honored and His presence is manifested.
  • Intentional Worship: The command to "seek" and "come" reminds us that worship is not passive but requires intentionality, devotion, and obedience. We are called to actively pursue God's presence and to gather with fellow believers for corporate worship, honoring Him with our lives and offerings.
  • Unity in Worship: The call for a single place of worship fostered unity among the diverse tribes of Israel. Today, this principle translates to the importance of unity within the Body of Christ, ensuring that our worship and doctrine are centered on biblical truth rather than fragmented by personal preferences or false teachings.
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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 12:11 (15 votes)

    Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

  • Deuteronomy 26:2 (11 votes)

    That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put [it] in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:12 (10 votes)

    ยถ And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.

  • Deuteronomy 16:2 (9 votes)

    Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.

  • 1 Kings 8:29 (7 votes)

    That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, [even] toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

  • Psalms 78:68 (6 votes)

    But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

  • Deuteronomy 12:13 (6 votes)

    Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: