Deuteronomy 15:20

Thou shalt eat [it] before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.

Thou shalt eat {H398} it before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} year {H8141} by year {H8141} in the place {H4725} which the LORD {H3068} shall choose {H977}, thou and thy household {H1004}.

Each year you and your household are to eat it in the presence of ADONAI your God in the place which ADONAI will choose.

Each year you and your household are to eat it before the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose.

Thou shalt eat it before Jehovah thy God year by year in the place which Jehovah shall choose, thou and thy household.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:20 KJV provides specific instructions regarding the consumption of consecrated firstborn animals, emphasizing the communal and worshipful aspect of Israelite religious life.

Context of Deuteronomy 15:20

This verse is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy (chapter 15) dealing with laws concerning the Sabbatical year, release of debts, and the dedication of firstborn animals. Specifically, verse 19 establishes that the firstborn male of an ox or sheep was to be consecrated to the LORD. They were not to be put to work or shorn, but were holy. Verse 20 then details how these consecrated animals were to be eaten.

The instruction to "eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose" highlights the central role of worship and fellowship in ancient Israel. This "chosen place" eventually became Jerusalem, where the Temple stood, serving as the focal point for national worship and pilgrimage. This communal meal symbolized the people's dependence on God's provision and their grateful acknowledgment of His blessings.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sacred Fellowship and Worship: The phrase "before the LORD thy God" is paramount. It signifies that this act of eating was not merely a meal but a sacred occasion, an act of communion with God. It reinforced the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing His presence among His people.
  • Obedience and Dedication: This command underlines the importance of faithfully dedicating the firstfruits of their flocks and herds to God, as instructed in various parts of the Law. It was a tangible expression of their obedience to God's covenant requirements.
  • Divine Provision and Gratitude: By eating these consecrated animals, the Israelites were reminded that their sustenance came directly from God. It was a yearly celebration of His faithfulness in providing for their needs, fostering an attitude of gratitude.
  • Communal and Family Faith: The instruction "thou and thy household" emphasizes that this was a family affair, promoting intergenerational faith and shared participation in the nation's spiritual life. It was a time for families to gather, reflect on God's goodness, and reinforce their collective identity as God's people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "before the LORD" (ืœึดืคึฐื ึตื™ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”, lifnei Yahweh) is a key theological concept throughout the Old Testament. It denotes being in the presence of God, often implying a sacred, reverent, and accountable posture. It transforms an ordinary meal into a holy act of worship and communion.

The "place which the LORD shall choose" (ืžึธืงื•ึนื ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ื™ึดื‘ึฐื—ึทืจ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”, maqom asher yivchar Yahweh) is another significant phrase in Deuteronomy. It refers to the central sanctuary, initially the Tabernacle, and later the Temple in Jerusalem. This specificity prevented localized, unauthorized altars and ensured a unified, centralized worship system, reinforcing national identity and religious orthodoxy. Deuteronomy 12:5 further elaborates on this concept.

Practical Application

While the specific practice of eating firstborn animals is part of the Old Covenant ceremonial law, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 15:20 remain highly relevant for believers today:

  • Giving Our Best: The command to dedicate the firstborn teaches us to give our "firstfruits" to God, not just our leftovers. This applies to our time, talents, and resources, acknowledging that all we have comes from Him (see Proverbs 3:9).
  • Worship as Communion: Our worship, whether individual or corporate, should be an act of drawing near to God, recognizing His presence. Like the Israelites eating "before the LORD," our spiritual practices should foster a sense of fellowship and intimacy with Him.
  • Gratitude and Celebration: We are called to regularly remember and celebrate God's faithfulness and provision in our lives. This can be through prayer, thanksgiving, communal meals, or acts of service.
  • Family Faith: The emphasis on "thou and thy household" encourages families to nurture their faith together, engaging in spiritual practices, sharing God's blessings, and teaching the next generation about His goodness.

This verse ultimately points to the joy and privilege of living in covenant relationship with a generous and faithful God.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 12:17

    Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

  • 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:

  • Deuteronomy 12:7

    And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

  • Deuteronomy 14:23

    And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
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