Deuteronomy 16:7

And thou shalt roast and eat [it] in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.

And thou shalt roast {H1310} and eat {H398} it in the place {H4725} which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} shall choose {H977}: and thou shalt turn {H6437} in the morning {H1242}, and go {H1980} unto thy tents {H168}.

You are to roast it and eat it in the place ADONAI your God will choose; in the morning you will return and go to your tents.

And you shall roast it and eat it in the place the LORD your God will choose, and in the morning you shall return to your tents.

And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 16:7 is part of a larger section (Deuteronomy 16:1-17) that outlines the laws concerning the three great annual pilgrimage festivals for ancient Israel: the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and the Feast of Tabernacles. This specific verse provides instructions for the Passover celebration, emphasizing both the manner of preparation and the duration of the observance at the central sanctuary.

Context

Deuteronomy 16 outlines the laws concerning the three great annual pilgrimage festivals for ancient Israel: Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and the Feast of Tabernacles. Verse 7 specifically addresses the Passover celebration, which commemorated God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The instruction to "roast and eat it" refers to the Passover lamb, a specific command that distinguished it from other sacrificial preparations. The phrase "in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose" is a hallmark of Deuteronomy, emphasizing the future central sanctuary (later Jerusalem) where all major national worship was to occur, ensuring unity and preventing idolatry. This command for centralized worship is reiterated throughout Deuteronomy, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:5.

Key Themes

  • Centralized and Unified Worship: The repeated command to worship "in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose" highlights God's desire for a single, authorized center for national worship. This promoted unity among the tribes and protected against syncretism or idolatry, ensuring that the people honored God on His terms.
  • Obedience and Remembrance: The specific instructions for roasting the lamb and eating it underscore the importance of meticulous obedience to God's commands. The Passover itself was a profound act of remembrance, ensuring that future generations would recall God's mighty act of deliverance from Egypt.
  • Balancing Devotion and Daily Life: The instruction to "turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents" indicates that while pilgrimage and worship at the central sanctuary were vital, they were not meant to entirely disrupt daily life. After fulfilling their sacred duty, the people were to return to their homes and responsibilities, integrating their faith with their everyday existence.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "roast" (ืฆึธืœึธื”, tsalah) specifically implies cooking by fire, distinguishing it from boiling or other methods. This was a precise command for the Passover lamb (see Exodus 12:8), emphasizing the unique nature of this sacred meal. The term "tents" (ืึนื”ึถืœ, ohel) can refer to literal tents, but in this context, it broadly signifies their homes or dwellings, indicating a return to their regular lives after the festival.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 16:7 offers timeless principles for believers today. It reminds us of the importance of intentional and devoted worship, gathering with fellow believers in a designated place (our modern "chosen place" of corporate worship). Just as the Israelites remembered God's deliverance, we are called to remember Christ's ultimate sacrifice and the redemption we have through Him. Furthermore, the verse teaches us to integrate our spiritual practices with our daily lives. While spiritual gatherings are essential, true faith is lived out in our "tents"โ€”our homes, workplaces, and communitiesโ€”as we return to our responsibilities, reflecting God's character in all we do.

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

  • 2 Chronicles 35:13

    And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the [other] holy [offerings] sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided [them] speedily among all the people.

  • 2 Kings 23:23

    But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, [wherein] this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.

  • Deuteronomy 16:6

    But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.

  • Exodus 12:8

    And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; [and] with bitter [herbs] they shall eat it.

  • Exodus 12:9

    Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast [with] fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

  • John 11:55

    And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

  • Psalms 22:14

    I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
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