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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 12:8 You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/12-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/05_Deu_12_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 12:8 - One Place for Worship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/12-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/12-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-7.htm" title="Deuteronomy 12:7">◄</a> Deuteronomy 12:8 <a href="/deuteronomy/12-9.htm" title="Deuteronomy 12:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Your pattern of worship will change. Today all of you are doing as you please,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall not do according to all that we are doing here today, everyone doing whatever is right in his own eyes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Ye shall not do after all <i>the things</i> that we do here this day, every man whatsoever <i>is</i> right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever <i>is</i> right in his own eyes—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, everyone <i>doing</i> whatever is right in his <i>own</i> eyes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man <i>doing</i> whatever is right in his own eyes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man <i>doing</i> whatever is right in his own eyes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not do at all what we are doing here [in the camp] today, every man doing whatever is right in his [own] eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You are not to do as we are doing here today; everyone is doing whatever seems right in his own sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are not to do as we are doing here today; everyone is doing whatever seems right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never worship in the way that it's being done here today, where everyone does whatever he considers right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"When that time comes, you must not do as you have been doing. Until now you have all been worshiping as you please, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You must not act as we have been doing here today, where everyone acts as they see fit, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not do like we are doing here today, with everyone doing what seems best to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatever is right in his own eyes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatever is right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not do all the things that we do here today, every man whatever is right in his own eyes; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not do according to all that we are doing here today—each [doing] anything that is right in his own eyes—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Ye do not do according to all that we are doing here to-day, each anything that is right in his own eyes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Ye shall not do according to all we do here this day, every man the right in his eyes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />You shall not do there the things we do here this day, every man that which seemeth good to himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not do there the things that we are doing here today: each one doing what seems good to himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not do as we are doing here today, everyone doing what is right in their own sight,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not act as we are acting here today, all of us according to our own desires,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not do according to all the things that we are doing here this day, every man whatever is right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you will not do as we do here today, each man according to what is good in his eyes.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Ye shall not do after all that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Ye shall not do altogether as we do here to-day, every man that which is pleasing in his own sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=3614" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">One Place for Worship</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>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. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You are not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ṯa·‘ă·śūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">to do</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kə·ḵōl (Prep:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/587.htm" title="587: ’ă·naḥ·nū (Pro-1cp) -- We. Apparently from 'anokiy; we.">we</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ō·śîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">are doing</a> <a href="/hebrew/6311.htm" title="6311: pōh (Adv) -- Here, hither. Or po; or pow; probably from a primitive inseparable particle p and huw'; this place, i.e. Here or hence.">here</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">today,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">where everyone</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">does what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: hay·yā·šār (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">seems right</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nāw (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 3ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in his own eyes.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>For you have not yet come to the resting place and the inheritance that the LORD your God is giving you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a></span><br />There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Proverbs 21:2</a></span><br />All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/15-39.htm">Numbers 15:39</a></span><br />These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5</a></span><br />“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">1 Samuel 8:19-20</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-8.htm">1 Kings 14:8</a></span><br />I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">2 Kings 17:8-9</a></span><br />and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-24.htm">Jeremiah 7:24</a></span><br />Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/16-12.htm">Jeremiah 16:12</a></span><br />And you have done more evil than your fathers. See how each of you follows the stubbornness of his evil heart instead of obeying Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a></span><br />Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21</a></span><br />Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-46.htm">Luke 6:46</a></span><br />Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a></span><br />If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatever is right in his own eyes.</p><p class="hdg">every man</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/15-39.htm">Numbers 15:39</a></b></br> And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6</a></b></br> In those days <i>there was</i> no king in Israel, <i>but</i> every man did <i>that which was</i> right in his own eyes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a></b></br> In those days <i>there was</i> no king in Israel: every man did <i>that which was</i> right in his own eyes.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/11-18.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-14.htm">Right</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-37.htm">Seems</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-32.htm">Today</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-28.htm">To-Day</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-4.htm">Way</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-32.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-37.htm">Whatsoever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/12-25.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-25.htm">Right</a> <a href="/joshua/9-25.htm">Seems</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-18.htm">Today</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-18.htm">To-Day</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Way</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Whatsoever</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-1.htm">Monuments of idolatry to be destroyed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-4.htm">The place of God's service to be kept</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Blood is forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Holy things must be eaten in the holy place</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm">The Levite is not to be forsaken</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Blood is again forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-26.htm">and holy things must be eaten in the holy place</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-29.htm">Idolatry is not to be enquired after</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>You are not to do as we are doing here today</b><br>This phrase refers to the transitional period for the Israelites as they moved from a nomadic lifestyle in the wilderness to settling in the Promised Land. During their time in the wilderness, worship practices were more flexible due to the lack of a permanent place of worship. The phrase underscores the need for a shift from temporary practices to a more structured and centralized form of worship, which would be established in the land God was giving them. This transition reflects the broader biblical theme of moving from chaos to order, as seen in the creation narrative in Genesis.<p><b>where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes</b><br>This part of the verse highlights the individualistic approach to worship and moral decision-making that was prevalent during the time of the Judges, as echoed in <a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This period was marked by moral and spiritual anarchy, which often led to idolatry and disobedience to God's commands. The call in Deuteronomy is for a return to covenant faithfulness and obedience to God's laws, which would be facilitated by a centralized place of worship. This phrase also foreshadows the need for a righteous king, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies and enforces God's will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are being prepared to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>The place where the Israelites wandered for 40 years before entering the Promised Land.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land that the Israelites are about to enter, where they are to establish a society based on God's laws.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_law.htm">Obedience to God's Law</a></b><br>The Israelites are instructed to follow God's commands rather than their own inclinations. This teaches us the importance of adhering to God's Word as the ultimate authority in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_relativism.htm">Avoiding Relativism</a></b><br>The warning against doing what seems right in one's own eyes is a caution against moral relativism. As Christians, we are called to uphold absolute truths found in Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_order.htm">Community and Order</a></b><br>God's instructions aim to establish a community based on His order and justice. We should strive to build our communities on biblical principles, promoting peace and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_accountability.htm">Personal Accountability</a></b><br>Each individual is responsible for aligning their actions with God's will. This requires regular self-examination and a commitment to spiritual growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_god's_promises.htm">Preparation for God's Promises</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were being prepared to enter the Promised Land, we must prepare our hearts and lives to receive God's promises by living according to His Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_you_encourage_each_other_every_day.htm">What does doing right in one's own eyes mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_levels_of_heaven_are_there.htm">How many levels of heaven are there?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_'right_in_one's_own_eyes'.htm">What does doing right in one's own eyes mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god's_discipline_contradict_love.htm">In Hebrews 12:5-6, does God's discipline contradict the idea of a loving, compassionate deity presented elsewhere in Scripture?</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>(8) <span class= "bld">Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day.</span>--Another precept strongly marked with the condition of Israel in the wilderness. It has been too much overlooked by recent commentators that the law of Moses has a <span class= "ital">prophetic side. </span>It was given to him and to Israel at a time when they were not in a position to keep it. It was the <span class= "ital">law of the land </span>which God would give them. In many ways its observance depended on the completion of the conquest of the land, and upon the quietness of the times in which they lived. This prophetic aspect was certainly not unrecognised by the Jews, or they would not (for example) have neglected to dwell in booths at the Feast of Tabernacles from the time of Joshua to Nehemiah. (See <a href="/nehemiah/8-17.htm" title="And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.">Nehemiah 8:17</a>.)<span class= "note">[2]<p>[2] And compare the curious position of the Jaw in Leviticus which required them to dwell in booths. It occurs as an appendix outside the regular laws of that festival (</span><a href="/context/leviticus/23-37.htm" title="These are the feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing on his day:">Leviticus 23:37-43</a><span class= "note">).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 8-10.</span> - In the wilderness, while leading a nomadic life, no certain place could be appointed to them for the observance of sacred rites; each man did in that matter as suited his own convenience. But after they were settled in Canaan it should no longer be so; a certain order and fixed locality should be determined for their worship and service; when they had passed over Jordan the Lord would give them rest from all their enemies, and then all irregularity and arbitrariness in the matter of worship must cease, and all their gifts arid offerings must be brought to the place which Jehovah their God should choose. <span class="cmt_word">Ye dwell in safety</span>; rather, <span class="accented">dwell securely</span>, not only safe from assault, but without fear or anxiety (cf. <a href="/judges/8-11.htm">Judges 8:11</a>; <a href="/judges/18-7.htm">Judges 18:7</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You are not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to do</span><br /><span class="heb">תַעֲשׂ֔וּן</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·śūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּ֠כֹל</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ḵōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנַ֧חְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·naḥ·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_587.htm">Strong's 587: </a> </span><span class="str2">We</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are doing</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹשִׂ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·śîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">here</span><br /><span class="heb">פֹּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(pōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6311.htm">Strong's 6311: </a> </span><span class="str2">This place, here</span><br /><br /><span class="word">today,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיּ֑וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[where] everyone</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֖ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[does] what</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seems right</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיָּשָׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yā·šār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Straight, right</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in his own eyes.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֵינָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ê·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 12:8 You shall not do after all (Deut. 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