Deuteronomy 12:8

Ye shall not do after all [the things] that we do here this day, every man whatsoever [is] right in his own eyes.

Ye shall not do {H6213} after all the things that we do {H6213} here this day {H3117}, every man {H376} whatsoever is right {H3477} in his own eyes {H5869}.

You will not do things the way we do them here today, where everyone does whatever in his own opinion seems right;

You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes.

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes;

Commentary

Context of Deuteronomy 12:8

Deuteronomy 12:8 is part of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter specifically outlines God's commands regarding the proper place and manner of worship once they are settled in Canaan. Up to this point, during their wilderness wanderings, their worship practices were more decentralized, adapting to their nomadic lifestyle. Moses warns them that such ad-hoc worship, where "every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes", will not be acceptable in the new land. Instead, God would designate a specific, central sanctuary for worship, a stark contrast to their current, temporary arrangements.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Centralization of Worship: The verse implicitly points to the divine command for a single, authorized place of worship in the Promised Land, as elaborated in Deuteronomy 12:5. This was to prevent the adoption of pagan practices and ensure the purity of Israel's devotion to the one true God.
  • Divine Authority vs. Human Autonomy: The core message is a rejection of subjective morality or individual preference in matters of faith and obedience. God's people were not to follow their own inclinations but to adhere strictly to His revealed will. This principle is a cornerstone of biblical law.
  • Order and Unity: By establishing a central place and prescribed methods of worship, God aimed to foster unity among the tribes and prevent the spiritual chaos that arises when each person determines their own standards of right and wrong, a situation famously described in the book of Judges (Judges 21:25).
  • Holiness and Purity: God's commands were designed to maintain the holiness of His people and their worship, differentiating them from the surrounding pagan nations whose religious practices often involved immorality and idolatry.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "whatsoever is right in his own eyes" is a critical Hebrew idiom: yashar b'einav (יָשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו). It literally means "straight in his eyes" or "upright in his own sight." This signifies a self-determined standard of conduct, where one's own perception of what is good or acceptable supersedes external, particularly divine, authority. This concept is often used in the Old Testament to describe periods of moral decline and spiritual rebellion, emphasizing the danger of subjective truth.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 12:8 carries profound relevance for believers today. In an age often characterized by relativism and individualism, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of divine authority:

  • Biblical Authority: It challenges us to measure our actions and beliefs not by what "feels right" or what is culturally acceptable, but by the unchanging standard of God's Word. Our personal preferences should always yield to His revealed will.
  • Unity in Worship: While we no longer have a physical central sanctuary, the principle of unified worship and adherence to sound doctrine remains vital for the Church. Disregarding God's instructions in favor of personal preferences can lead to division and spiritual compromise.
  • Warning Against Relativism: The warning against doing "what is right in his own eyes" is a timeless caution against subjective morality. True freedom and flourishing come not from unrestrained personal autonomy, but from joyful obedience to God's wise and loving commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:17.
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Cross-References

  • Judges 21:25 (6 votes)

    In those days [there was] no king in Israel: every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.

  • Judges 17:6 (5 votes)

    In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but] every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.

  • Proverbs 21:2 (4 votes)

    ¶ Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

  • Numbers 15:39 (2 votes)

    And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

  • Acts 7:42 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices [by the space of] forty years in the wilderness?

  • Amos 5:25 (0 votes)

    Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?