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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 12:5

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 Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:8

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here ,.... In the wilderness, where they had no abiding, but were continually removing from place to place, and could not always observe punctually and precisely the exact order and time of their sacrifices and other things, nor offer them at any certain place, and many were doubtless neglected by them; see Amos 5:25 . every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes ; that did he, brought the above things when and where he pleased; not that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:9

For ye are not yet come to the rest ,.... The land of Canaan, which was typical of the rest which remains for the people of God in heaven; for though they now enter into a spiritual rest in Christ, they are not yet come to their eternal rest; they are in a world of trouble, through sin, Satan, and wicked men; but they shall come to it, as Israel did to Canaan; for God has promised and prepared it, and it remains for them; Christ prayed for it, is also gone to prepare it, and the Spirit is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:10

But when ye go over Jordan ,.... Which lay between the place where they now were, and the land of Canaan, and which they would quickly go over: and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit ; the land of Canaan, and which shows that that is meant by the inheritance: and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about : which was done when the land was subdued, and divided among the tribes of Israel, Joshua 22:4 and which confirms the sense of Canaan... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:11

Then there shall be a place ,.... Fixed and settled, and will be known to be the place: which the Lord your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there : where he himself would dwell, and where his name would be called, and he would be worshipped: thither shall ye bring all that I command you, your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offerings of your hands ; of which See Gill on Deuteronomy 12:6 . and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the... read more

John Gill

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

And ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God ,.... In the place chosen and fixed, where a temple would be built for him, and he would take up his residence; eating with joy and gladness that part of the offerings which belonged to them, keeping as it were a feast before the Lord, in token of gratitude for what they had received from him: ye and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants ; which explains what is meant by their household, Deuteronomy 12:7 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 12:13

Take heed to thyself, that thou offer not thy burnt offerings ,.... And so any other, this is put for all the rest: in every place that thou seest ; which might take with their fancy, seem pleasant, and so a proper and suitable place to sacrifice in, as on high places, and under green trees; but they were not to indulge their own fancies and imaginations, or follow the customs of others, but keep to the rules prescribed them by the Lord, and to the place fixed by him for his worship. read more

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