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Deuteronomy 12:7

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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.

And there ye shall eat {H398} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, and ye shall rejoice {H8055} in all that ye put {H4916} your hand {H3027} unto, ye and your households {H1004}, wherein the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} hath blessed {H1288} thee.

There you will eat in the presence of ADONAI your God; and you will rejoice over everything you set out to do, you and your households, in which ADONAI your God has blessed you.

There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

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

Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:7 is a beautiful verse that paints a picture of joyful worship and communal celebration within the context of ancient Israel's covenant relationship with God. It instructs the Israelites on how they are to conduct themselves at the central place of worship that the LORD would choose for His name.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Deuteronomy 12 where Moses outlines the laws concerning worship in the Promised Land. Prior to this, the Israelites were commanded to destroy all pagan altars and idols (Deuteronomy 12:2-3). The primary instruction in this chapter is the establishment of one central sanctuary where all sacrifices, tithes, and offerings were to be brought (Deuteronomy 12:5). This unified worship was crucial to prevent syncretism and maintain the purity of their devotion to the LORD. Verse 7 specifically describes the joyous fellowship meals that would take place there, contrasting sharply with the decentralized and often chaotic worship of the surrounding nations.

Key Themes

  • Centralized Worship and Fellowship: The command to "eat before the LORD your God" at a specific, designated place underscores the importance of corporate worship and shared meals as an act of devotion. This was not just a religious duty but a communal celebration in God's presence.
  • Joy and Rejoicing: The instruction to "rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto" highlights the deep joy and gratitude that should accompany their worship and daily lives. This joy was a direct result of God's blessings and an essential component of their relationship with Him.
  • Gratitude for Divine Blessing: The phrase "wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee" emphasizes that all prosperity, success, and the fruits of their labor were directly attributed to God's favor and provision. It fosters a spirit of thankfulness rather than self-reliance.
  • Family and Household Inclusion: The mention of "ye and your households" shows that worship and celebration were a family affair, promoting unity and passing on faith to future generations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rejoice" here is samach (שָׂמַח), which conveys a deep, inner gladness and delight, often associated with festivals and celebration. It's not a superficial happiness but a profound joy rooted in God's goodness. Similarly, "blessed" comes from the Hebrew barak (בָּרַךְ), meaning to be endowed with power for success, prosperity, and fruitfulness, directly from God.

Practical Application

For believers today, Deuteronomy 12:7 offers timeless principles:

  • Prioritize Corporate Worship: While we don't have a single geographical sanctuary like ancient Israel, the principle of gathering together for worship and fellowship remains vital (Hebrews 10:25). Sharing meals and fellowship within the church community can be a modern expression of this communal rejoicing.
  • Cultivate a Spirit of Gratitude: Recognizing God as the source of all our blessings, both material and spiritual, leads to genuine joy and thankfulness. Every success, every provision, every talent is a gift from His hand.
  • Involve Your Household: Faith and joy in God should be shared and celebrated within the family unit, creating a legacy of devotion and thanksgiving.
  • Find Joy in Your Labor: This verse encourages us to find joy and purpose in our daily work, knowing that God blesses the efforts of our hands and that our labor can be an act of worship.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 12:18 (7 votes)

    But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that [is] within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.

  • Leviticus 23:40 (6 votes)

    And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

  • Deuteronomy 14:26 (6 votes)

    And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

  • Deuteronomy 12:12 (5 votes)

    And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that [is] within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.

  • Psalms 128:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ A Song of degrees. Blessed [is] every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

  • Psalms 128:2 (4 votes)

    For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy [shalt] thou [be], and [it shall be] well with thee.

  • Philippians 4:4 (4 votes)

    Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.