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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 12:20 When the LORD your God expands your territory as He has promised, and you crave meat and say, "I want to eat meat," you may eat it whenever you want.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/12-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/05_Deu_12_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 12:20 - One Place for Worship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the LORD your God expands your territory as He has promised, and you crave meat and say, I want to eat meat, you may eat it whenever you want." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after. <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/12.htm">New King James Version</a> “When the LORD your God enlarges your border as He has promised you, and you say, ‘Let me eat meat,’ because you long to eat meat, you may eat as much meat as your heart desires. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “When the LORD your God extends your border as He has promised you, and you say, ‘I will eat meat,’ because you desire to eat meat, then you may eat meat, whatever you desire. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220When the LORD your God extends your border as He has promised you, and you say, &#8216I will eat meat,&#8217 because you desire to eat meat, then you may eat meat, whatever you desire. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “When the LORD your God extends your border as He has promised you, and you say, ‘I will eat meat,’ because you desire to eat meat, then you may eat meat, whatever you desire. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “When Yahweh your God enlarges your territory as He has promised you, and you say, ‘I will eat meat,’ because you desire to eat meat, then you may eat meat, whatever you desire. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “When the LORD your God extends your territory, as He promised you, and you say, ‘I will eat meat,’ because you want to eat meat, then you may eat meat, whatever you wish. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “When the LORD your God enlarges your territory as he has promised you, and you say, ‘I want to eat meat’ because you have a strong desire to eat meat, you may eat it whenever you want. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When the LORD your God enlarges your territory as He has promised you, and you say, &#8216I want to eat meat because you have a strong desire to eat meat, you may eat it whenever you want. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> When Jehovah thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul desireth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, after all the desire of thy soul. <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul desireth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, after all the desire of thy soul. <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The LORD your God will expand your [country's] borders as he promised. You will say, "I'm hungry for meat." Then eat as much meat as you want. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> "When the LORD your God enlarges your territory, as he has promised, you may eat meat whenever you want to. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the LORD your God enlarges your territory—just as he told you—and you say 'I want to eat meat' since you desire to eat it, you may do so as much as you please. <a href="/msb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the LORD your God expands your territory as He has promised, and you crave meat and say, ?I want to eat meat,? you may eat it whenever you want. <a href="/net/deuteronomy/12.htm">NET Bible</a> When the LORD your God extends your borders as he said he would do and you say, "I want to eat meat just as I please," you may do so as you wish. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When the LORD your God shall enlarge your border, as he has promised you, and you shall say, "I want to eat meat," because your soul desires to eat meat; you may eat meat, after all the desire of your soul. <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatever thy soul desireth. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/12.htm">World English Bible</a> When Yahweh your God enlarges your border, as he has promised you, and you say, “I want to eat meat,” because your soul desires to eat meat, you may eat meat, after all the desire of your soul. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> When your God YHWH enlarges your border, as He has spoken to you, and you have said, Let me eat flesh—for your soul desires to eat flesh—you eat flesh of all the desire of your soul. <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'When Jehovah thy God doth enlarge thy border, as He hath spoken to thee, and thou hast said, Let me eat flesh -- for thy soul desireth to eat flesh -- of all the desire of thy soul thou dost eat flesh. <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> When Jehovah thy God shall enlarge thy boundary, as he spake to thee, and thou said; I will eat flesh because thy soul shall desire to eat flesh, in all thy soul desired thou shalt eat flesh.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> When the Lord thy God shall have enlarged thy borders, as he hath spoken to thee, and thou wilt eat the flesh that thy soul desireth: <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> When the Lord your God will have enlarged your borders, just as he has spoken to you, and when you would eat the flesh that your soul desires, <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Bible</a> After the LORD, your God, has enlarged your territory, as he promised you, and you think, “I will eat meat,” as it is your desire to eat meat, you may eat it freely; <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When the LORD your God enlarges your territory, as he has promised you, and you say, “I am going to eat some meat,” because you wish to eat meat, you may eat meat whenever you have the desire.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When the LORD your God shall enlarge your territory, as he has promised you, and you shall say, I will eat meat, because your soul longs to eat meat; you shall eat meat, whatever your soul may desire. <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when LORD JEHOVAH your God will enlarge your border as He said to you, and you will say 'I will eat meat' because your soul lusts to eat meat, in all the lusts of your soul, you shall eat meat.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as He hath promised thee, and thou shalt say: 'I will eat flesh', because thy soul desireth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, after all the desire of thy soul. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And if the Lord thy God shall enlarge thy borders, as he said to thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh; if thy soul should desire to eat flesh, thou shalt eat flesh according to all the desire of thy soul. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=3749" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">One Place for Worship</a> …19and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land. 20<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7337.htm" title="7337: yar·ḥîḇ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To be or grow wide or large. A primitive root; to broaden.">expands</a> <a href="/hebrew/1366.htm" title="1366: gə·ḇū·lə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Border, boundary, territory. Or gbul; from gabal; properly, a cord, i.e. a boundary; by extens. The territory inclosed.">your territory</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·ber- (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">He has promised,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">and you</a> <a href="/hebrew/183.htm" title="183: ṯə·’aw·weh (V-Piel-Imperf-3fs) -- To incline, desire. A primitive root; to wish for.">crave</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: le·’ĕ·ḵōl (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bā·śār (N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">meat</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mar·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ō·ḵə·lāh (V-Qal-Imperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">“I want to eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: ḇā·śār (N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">meat,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: tō·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">you may eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bā·śār (N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">whenever</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/185.htm" title="185: ’aw·waṯ (N-fsc) -- Desire. From 'avah; longing.">want.</a> 21If the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His Name is too far from you, then you may slaughter any of the herd or flock He has given you, as I have commanded you, and you may eat it within your gates whenever you want.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/9-3.htm">Genesis 9:3</a> Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things. <a href="/leviticus/17-13.htm">Leviticus 17:13-14</a> And if any Israelite or foreigner living among them hunts down a wild animal or bird that may be eaten, he must drain its blood and cover it with dirt. / For the life of all flesh is its blood. Therefore I have told the Israelites, ‘You must not eat the blood of any living thing, because the life of all flesh is its blood; whoever eats it must be cut off.’ <a href="/acts/10-13.htm">Acts 10:13-15</a> Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” / The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” <a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3-5</a> They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. / For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. <a href="/genesis/1-29.htm">Genesis 1:29-30</a> Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-25.htm">1 Corinthians 10:25-26</a> Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, / for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” <a href="/leviticus/11-2.htm">Leviticus 11:2-3</a> “Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat: / You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. <a href="/romans/14-2.htm">Romans 14:2-3</a> For one person has faith to eat all things, while another, who is weak, eats only vegetables. / The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him. <a href="/deuteronomy/14-4.htm">Deuteronomy 14:4-5</a> These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat, / the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. <a href="/acts/15-28.htm">Acts 15:28-29</a> It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: / You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. <a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a> Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!” <a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8</a> But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. <a href="/deuteronomy/14-26.htm">Deuteronomy 14:26</a> Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household. <a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a> “Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) <a href="/ezekiel/47-9.htm">Ezekiel 47:9-10</a> Wherever the river flows, there will be swarms of living creatures and a great number of fish, because it flows there and makes the waters fresh; so wherever the river flows, everything will flourish. / Fishermen will stand by the shore; from En-gedi to En-eglaim they will spread their nets to catch fish of many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>When the LORD your God shall enlarge your border, as he has promised you, and you shall say, I will eat flesh, because your soul longs to eat flesh; you may eat flesh, whatever your soul lusts after.shall<a href="/1_chronicles/4-10.htm">1 Chronicles 4:10</a> And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.as he hath<a href="/deuteronomy/11-24.htm">Deuteronomy 11:24</a> Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.<a href="/deuteronomy/19-8.htm">Deuteronomy 19:8</a> And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;<a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18-21</a> In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: … I will<a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Deuteronomy 12:15</a> Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.<a href="/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30</a> And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?<a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4,20,34</a> And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/11-24.htm">Border</a> <a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Crave</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/numbers/15-39.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Desireth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/exodus/34-24.htm">Enlarge</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-24.htm">Enlarged</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-5.htm">Enlarges</a> <a href="/numbers/21-15.htm">Extends</a> <a href="/hosea/4-8.htm">Longeth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-25.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-30.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-28.htm">Want</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Whatsoever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/19-3.htm">Border</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-2.htm">Crave</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-21.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-26.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-21.htm">Desireth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-21.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-8.htm">Enlarge</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-1.htm">Enlarged</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-8.htm">Enlarges</a> <a href="/joshua/15-9.htm">Extends</a> <a href="/hosea/4-8.htm">Longeth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-23.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-23.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-17.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-21.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-4.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-16.htm">Want</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-21.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-21.htm">Whatsoever</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 12</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-1.htm">Monuments of idolatry to be destroyed</a> 4. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-4.htm">The place of God's service to be kept</a> 15. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Blood is forbidden</a> 17. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Holy things must be eaten in the holy place</a> 19. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm">The Levite is not to be forsaken</a> 20. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Blood is again forbidden</a> 26. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-26.htm">and holy things must be eaten in the holy place</a> 29. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-29.htm">Idolatry is not to be enquired after</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When the LORD your God expands your territory as He has promised This phrase reflects the covenantal promise God made to the Israelites regarding the expansion of their land. It ties back to the Abrahamic Covenant in <a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18-21</a>, where God promised Abraham's descendants a vast territory. The expansion of territory is a sign of God's faithfulness and blessing. Historically, this expansion occurred during the reigns of David and Solomon, when Israel reached its greatest geographical extent. Theologically, it signifies God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.and you crave meat and say, “I want to eat meat,” This phrase addresses the human desire for meat, which was a luxury in ancient times. In the wilderness, the Israelites had limited access to meat, as seen in <a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a>, where they longed for the meat they had in Egypt. The craving for meat also symbolizes a deeper human longing for satisfaction and fulfillment, which can only be truly met in God. This craving is not condemned but regulated, showing God's understanding of human needs and desires.you may eat it whenever you want. This phrase indicates a shift from the previous restrictions on meat consumption, which required sacrifices at the Tabernacle (<a href="/leviticus/17-3.htm">Leviticus 17:3-4</a>). With the expansion of territory, it would be impractical to bring all meat to a central location for sacrifice. This provision shows God's accommodation to the practical needs of His people while maintaining the sanctity of sacrificial worship. It also foreshadows the New Covenant, where worship is not confined to a specific place (<a href="/john/4-21.htm">John 4:21-24</a>). The freedom to eat meat "whenever you want" reflects the liberty found in Christ, who fulfills the law and offers spiritual nourishment to all believers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who is faithful to His promises and commands. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, who are receiving instructions on how to live in the Promised Land. 3. <a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a> The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 4. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader and prophet who is delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites. 5. <a href="/topical/e/expansion_of_territory.htm">Expansion of Territory</a> The event of God fulfilling His promise to enlarge the land of the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a> God is faithful to expand the territory of His people as He promised. This teaches us to trust in His timing and provision. <a href="/topical/d/desires_and_contentment.htm">Desires and Contentment</a> The craving for meat symbolizes human desires. We are reminded to align our desires with God's will and to find contentment in His provision. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_within_god's_boundaries.htm">Freedom within God's Boundaries</a> The permission to eat meat "whenever you want" highlights the freedom God gives within His laws. We should exercise our freedoms responsibly and with gratitude. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_blessing.htm">Obedience and Blessing</a> The expansion of territory is contingent upon obedience to God's commands. Our blessings are often linked to our faithfulness to God's Word. <a href="/topical/c/covenant_relationship.htm">Covenant Relationship</a> The instructions are given within the context of a covenant relationship, emphasizing the importance of living in accordance with God's covenant.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 12</a> <a href="/q/why_do_god's_laws_shift_in_deut._12_20-21.htm">In Deuteronomy 12:20–21, why would God’s instructions shift based on the Israelites’ proximity to the sanctuary if His laws are deemed unchanging? </a> <a href="/q/how_did_early_israelites_offer_firstfruits.htm">How did early Israelites fulfill the centralized requirement of bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26) before a formal temple or priesthood was consistently established?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_joshua_11_12-15_align_with_sparing.htm">How does the absolute obedience in Joshua 11:12-15 align with prior instructions about sparing certain peoples?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_levites'_lands_align_biblically.htm">In Joshua 14:3-4, how does the Levites' lack of a territorial inheritance align with other biblical passages that mention Levitical cities and lands?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) When the Lord thy God shall enlarge thy border. . . .--This and the following verses (20-25) are perfectly intelligible as an expansion of <a href="/context/deuteronomy/12-15.htm" title="Notwithstanding you may kill and eat flesh in all your gates, whatever your soul lusts after, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which he has given you: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.">Deuteronomy 12:15-16</a>, and a modification of the strict rule introduced in <a href="/leviticus/18-2.htm" title="Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, I am the LORD your God.">Leviticus 18:2</a>, &c. The distance from the central place of worship to the borders of the land would be manifestly too great for all feasting to be limited to that one spot.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - When the Lord thy God shall enlarge thy border. These laws were to continue in force even when God should, according to his promise (<a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18</a>; <a href="/exodus/23-27.htm">Exodus 23:27-31</a>), extend the boundaries of their land. <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the LORD יְהוָ֨ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֥יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative expands יַרְחִיב֩ (yar·ḥîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7337.htm">Strong's 7337: </a> To be or grow wide or large your territory גְּבֽוּלְךָ֮ (gə·ḇū·lə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1366.htm">Strong's 1366: </a> A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed as כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that He has promised, דִּבֶּר־ (dib·ber-) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue and you נַפְשְׁךָ֖ (nap̄·šə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion crave תְאַוֶּ֥ה (ṯə·’aw·weh) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_183.htm">Strong's 183: </a> To incline, desire meat בָּשָׂ֑ר (bā·śār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man and say, וְאָמַרְתָּ֙ (wə·’ā·mar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “I want to eat אֹכְלָ֣ה (’ō·ḵə·lāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat meat,” בָשָׂ֔ר (ḇā·śār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man you may eat תֹּאכַ֥ל (tō·ḵal) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat it בָּשָֽׂר׃ (bā·śār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man whenever בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every you נַפְשְׁךָ֖ (nap̄·šə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion want. אַוַּ֥ת (’aw·waṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_185.htm">Strong's 185: </a> Longing <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Deuteronomy 12:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 12:20 When Yahweh your God shall enlarge your (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 12:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 12:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 12:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 12:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>