Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:1-28
12:1-26:19 DETAILED REGULATIONSIn keeping with the pattern of ancient covenant documents, the basic requirements and principles of the covenant (Chapters 5-11) are now followed by the detailed regulations (Chapters 12-26). However, Moses does not lay down these requirements with the harshness or impersonality of a formal law code. He announces them rather in the pastoral spirit of a preacher, appealing to God’s covenant family to respond to God’s grace with lives of loyalty to him and justice... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:21-23
If the place.; be too far from thee ; this supplies the reason for the alteration of the law in Le Deuteronomy 17:3 . Only be sure; literally, only be strong ; i . e . be firm and resolute, steadfastly resisting the temptation to eat it. The blood is the life (cf. Genesis 9:4 ; Le Genesis 11:1 ; Genesis 17:11 ). The word used is nephesh ( נֶפֶשׁ ). By this word the Hebrews designated the animal life-principle in men and in beasts; and as without this the body was a mere... read more