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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:1-4

From those great original truths, That there is a God, and that there is but one God, arise those great fundamental laws, That that God is to be worshipped, and he only, and that therefore we are to have no other God before him: this is the first commandment, and the second is a guard upon it, or a hedge about it. To prevent a revolt to false gods, we are forbidden to worship the true God in such a way and manner as the false gods were worshipped in, and are commanded to observe the instituted... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:5-32

There is not any one particular precept (as I remember) in all the law of Moses so largely pressed and inculcated as this, by which they are all tied to bring their sacrifices to that one altar which was set up in the court of the tabernacle, and there to perform all the rituals of their religion; for, as to moral services, then, no doubt, as now, men might pray every where, as they did in their synagogues. The command to do this, and the prohibition of the contrary, are here repeated again... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:4

Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God. Not sacrifice to him on hills and mountains, and under green trees; though the Jews commonly refer this to the destruction of the names of God, and of any thing appertaining to the temple; that though the temples and the altars of the Heathens were to be overthrown, yet not a stone was to be taken from the house of God, or that belonged to it, nor any of his names to be blotted out; so the Targum of Jonathan and Maimonides F26 Yesode Hattorah,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:5

But unto the place which the Lord your God ,.... The Targum of Jonathan is, that the Word of the Lord your God: shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there ; to place his tabernacle, set up his worship, take up his residence, and cause the Shechinah, or his divine Majesty, to dwell there, as the next clause explains it; out of what tribe it should be chosen, and where it should be, is not said. Maimomides F2 Moreh Nevochim, par. 3. c. 45. p. 475. gives three reasons... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:6

And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings ,.... For the daily sacrifice, and upon any other account whatsoever; this was before ordered to be brought to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and now to the place where that should be fixed, Leviticus 17:8 . and your sacrifices : all other distinct from burnt offerings, as sin offerings, trespass offerings, and peace offerings, especially the latter. Jarchi interprets them of peace offerings of debt, such as a man was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:7

And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God ,.... The priests and the Levites, what was their portion, so Aben Ezra; but the people also are included, and by what follows seem chiefly designed, who were to eat their part of the sacrifices, particularly of the tithes and peace offerings, in the holy place that should be chosen and appointed; see Deuteronomy 14:22 . and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto ; in all the labours of their hands, and what they got thereby,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 12:4

Verse 4 4Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God. The principal distinction, as far as regards the external exercises of devotion, is here laid down between the legitimate worship of God, and all the fictitious rites which the Gentiles have invented; viz., that God would have but one sanctuary and one altar, which might be a symbol of the difference between Himself and all idols; and thus that true religion should have no affinity to superstitions. To this refers the prohibition, that the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 12:5

Verse 5 5But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose. It is asked why God would have sacrifices offered to Him only on one altar? Besides the reason which I have lately advanced, it is not to be doubted but that He in this way had regard to believers, that He might cherish in them an agreement in the unity of the faith. This place, then, was like a standard to gather together the people, lest their religion should be torn by divisions, and lest any diversities should insinuate... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 12:7

Verse 7 7And there shall ye eat. We see that the sanctuary in which God manifested Himself is called His face; (105) for, although believers are taught that always, wherever they dwell, they walk before God; yet they placed themselves nearer, and in some special manner in His sight, when they approached His sanctuary. By this mode of speaking God also stimulates the laziness or tardiness of the people, lest it should be irksome to them to come to the Ark of the Covenant for the purpose of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:1-4

The doom of idolatry. The reverse side of blessing is a curse. The abuse of the best things is the worst. In the ratio in which any institution has capacity to benefit, has it capacity to injure. The sun can quicken life or kill. The temple is a stepping-stone to heaven or a snare of hell. I. BOTH NATURE AND ART HAVE BEEN PROSTITUTED TO BASEST USES . If men cannot find God in themselves, they cannot find him in material nature. Some "look through nature up to... read more

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