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Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/12-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/05_Deu_12_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 12:18 - One Place for Worship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Instead, you must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose--you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do," /><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/12-18.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/12-18.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 18</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="/ad18.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/12-17.htm" title="Deuteronomy 12:17">◄</a> Deuteronomy 12:18 <a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm" title="Deuteronomy 12:19">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/12.htm">New International Version</a> Instead, you are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites from your towns—and you are to rejoice before the LORD your God in everything you put your hand to. <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> You must eat these in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose. Eat them there with your children, your servants, and the Levites who live in your towns, celebrating in the presence of the LORD your God in all you do. <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> but you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place that the LORD your God will choose, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your towns. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you undertake. <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Instead, you must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do, <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/12.htm">King James Bible</a> But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto. <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/12.htm">New King James Version</a> But you must eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God chooses, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all to which you put your hands. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God will choose, you and your son and daughter, and your male and female slaves, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all your undertakings. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God will choose, you and your son and daughter, and your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all your undertakings. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God will choose, you and your son and daughter, and your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all your undertakings. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But you shall eat them before Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh your God will choose, you and your son and daughter, and your male and female slaves, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall be glad before Yahweh your God in all that you send forth your hand to do. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God will choose, you and your son and your daughter, and your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your [city] gates; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you undertake. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God chooses—you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, and the Levite who is within your city gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in everything you do, <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God chooses—you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, and the Levite who is within your gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in everything you do, <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> but thou shalt eat them before Jehovah thy God in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before Jehovah thy God in all that thou puttest thy hand unto. <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> but thou shalt eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Instead, you, your sons and daughters, male and female slaves, and the Levites who live in your cities must eat these in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose. There in the presence of the LORD your God enjoy everything you've worked for. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> You and your children, together with your servants and the Levites who live in your towns, are to eat these offerings only in the presence of the LORD your God, in the one place of worship chosen by the LORD your God. And you are to be happy there over everything that you have done. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> You'll eat only in the presence of the LORD your God at the place that he will choose—you, your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the descendant of Levi who is in your cities. Rejoice in the presence of the LORD your God in everything you undertake. <a href="/msb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Instead, you must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose?you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do, <a href="/net/deuteronomy/12.htm">NET Bible</a> Only in the presence of the LORD your God may you eat these, in the place he chooses. This applies to you, your son, your daughter, your male and female servants, and the Levites in your villages. In that place you will rejoice before the LORD your God in all the output of your labor. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> but you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God shall choose, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your male servant, and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates: and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you put your hand to. <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands to. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/12.htm">World English Bible</a> but you shall eat them before Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh your God shall choose: you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates. You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God in all that you put your hand to. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> but you eat it before your God YHWH in the place which your God YHWH fixes on, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your handmaid, and the Levite who [is] within your gates, and you have rejoiced before your God YHWH in every putting forth of your hand; <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> but before Jehovah thy God thou dost eat it, in the place which Jehovah thy God doth fix on, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy handmaid, and the Levite who is within thy gates, and thou hast rejoiced before Jehovah thy God in every putting forth of thy hand; <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But before Jehovah thy God thou shalt eat it, in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose in it, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy servant, and thy maid, and the Levite which is in thy gates: and rejoice thou before Jehovah thy God in all the stretching forth of thy hand.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But thou shalt eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, thou and thy son and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and maidservant, and the Levite that dwelleth in thy cities: and thou shalt rejoice and be refreshed before the Lord thy God in all things, whereunto thou shalt put thy hand. <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But you shall eat these before the Lord your God, in the place which the Lord your God will choose: you, and your son, and your daughter, and your man servant and woman servant, and the Levite who dwells in your cities. And you shall rejoice and be refreshed in the sight of the Lord your God by all the things to which you will extend your hand. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Bible</a> These you must eat in the presence of the LORD, your God, in the place that the LORD, your God, chooses, along with your son and daughter, your male and female slave, and the Levite within your gates; and there, in the presence of the LORD, you shall rejoice in all your undertakings. <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> these you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God at the place that the LORD your God will choose, you together with your son and your daughter, your male and female slaves, and the Levites resident in your towns, rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God in all your undertakings.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But you must eat them before the LORD your God yearly at the place which the LORD your God shall choose, you and your son and your daughter and your manservant and your maidservant and the Levite that is within your towns; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you put your hand to. <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> But you shall eat it before LORD JEHOVAH your God in the place that LORD JEHOVAH your God will choose for it, you and your son and your daughter and your Servant and your Maid and the Levite in your town, and you shall rejoice before LORD JEHOVAH your God in everything to which you reach your hand.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> but thou shalt eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates; and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thy hand unto. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But before the Lord thy God thou shalt eat it, in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose for himself, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the stranger that is within thy gates; and thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, on whatsoever thou shalt lay thine hand. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/12-18.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=3724" 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> …17Within your gates you must not eat the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, the firstborn of your herds or flocks, any of the offerings that you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts. 18<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Instead,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: tō·ḵə·len·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">you must eat them</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">in the presence</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.">of 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/4725.htm" title="4725: bam·mā·qō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">at the place</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/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/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: yiḇ·ḥar (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">will choose—</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇin·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">your sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: ū·ḇit·te·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">and daughters,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: wə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">your menservants</a> <a href="/hebrew/519.htm" title="519: wa·’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- A maid, handmaid. Apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or female slave.">and maidservants,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: wə·hal·lê·wî (Conj-w, Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">and the Levite</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/8179.htm" title="8179: biš·‘ā·re·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 2ms) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">within your gates.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8055.htm" title="8055: wə·śā·maḥ·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- Rejoice, be glad. A primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. be blithe or gleesome.">Rejoice</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</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/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵōl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">in all</a> <a href="/hebrew/4916.htm" title="4916: miš·laḥ (N-msc) -- A sending out, presentation, seizure.">you do,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏe·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> 19and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.…<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="/deuteronomy/16-11.htm">Deuteronomy 16:11</a> and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. <a href="/deuteronomy/14-23.htm">Deuteronomy 14:23</a> And you are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. <a href="/deuteronomy/15-20.htm">Deuteronomy 15:20</a> Each year you and your household are to eat it before the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose. <a href="/deuteronomy/27-7.htm">Deuteronomy 27:7</a> There you are to sacrifice your peace offerings, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God. <a href="/nehemiah/8-10.htm">Nehemiah 8:10</a> Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” <a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm">1 Samuel 1:3-4</a> Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD. / And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. <a href="/1_kings/8-65.htm">1 Kings 8:65-66</a> So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all. / On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things that the LORD had done for His servant David and for His people Israel. <a href="/2_chronicles/30-21.htm">2 Chronicles 30:21-23</a> The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and priests praised the LORD day after day, accompanied by loud instruments of praise to the LORD. / And Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the LORD. For seven days they ate their assigned portion, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers. / The whole assembly agreed to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joy. <a href="/isaiah/25-6.htm">Isaiah 25:6</a> On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine. <a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1-2</a> “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. <a href="/acts/2-46.htm">Acts 2:46</a> With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, <a href="/acts/14-17.htm">Acts 14:17</a> Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.” <a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a> For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-31.htm">1 Corinthians 10:31</a> So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-26.htm">1 Corinthians 11:26</a> For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But you must eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God shall choose, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite that is within your gates: and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you put your hands to.thou must<a href="/deuteronomy/12-11.htm">Deuteronomy 12:11,12,19</a> Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: … <a href="/deuteronomy/14-23.htm">Deuteronomy 14:23</a> And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.<a href="/deuteronomy/15-20.htm">Deuteronomy 15:20</a> Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.rejoice<a href="/deuteronomy/12-7.htm">Deuteronomy 12:7</a> And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.<a href="/psalms/32-11.htm">Psalm 32:11</a> Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.<a href="/psalms/68-3.htm">Psalm 68:3</a> But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/12-14.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-18.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-12.htm">Levite</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-21.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-21.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-12.htm">Male</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-21.htm">Manservant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-21.htm">Man-Servant</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Puttest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-12.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-21.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/12-21.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-6.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-9.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-9.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm">Levite</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-17.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-17.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Male</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-11.htm">Manservant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-11.htm">Man-Servant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-10.htm">Puttest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-26.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-21.htm">Within</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>Instead, you must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God This phrase emphasizes the importance of communal worship and fellowship with God. Eating in the presence of the LORD signifies a sacred act of worship and gratitude. In the ancient Near Eastern context, meals were often associated with covenantal relationships. This directive underscores the idea that worship is not just a private affair but a communal one, involving the entire community in the presence of God. It also foreshadows the communal aspect of the Lord's Supper in the New Testament, where believers gather to partake in the body and blood of Christ.at the place the LORD your God will choose This refers to the centralization of worship in a specific location, which would later be identified as Jerusalem. The chosen place signifies God's sovereignty and the importance of unity in worship. This centralization was meant to prevent idolatry and ensure that worship was conducted according to God's instructions. It also points to the future establishment of the temple in Jerusalem, a type of Christ, who is the ultimate temple where God's presence dwells.you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates This phrase highlights the inclusivity of worship, involving not just the head of the household but the entire family and community, including servants and Levites. The Levites, who had no inheritance of land, were to be supported by the community and included in worship. This reflects the biblical principle of caring for those who serve in ministry and ensuring that worship is a communal, inclusive experience. It also mirrors the New Testament teaching that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus.Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do Rejoicing is a key element of worship and reflects a heart of gratitude and celebration of God's blessings. This command to rejoice underscores the joy that comes from living in obedience to God and experiencing His presence. It is a reminder that worship is not just about ritual but about a joyful relationship with God. This joy is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for them in Christ Jesus.<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 commands His people to worship and rejoice in His presence. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, instructed to follow His commands and worship in the designated place. 3. <a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a> Members of the tribe of Levi, who were set apart for religious duties and had no inheritance of land. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_place_the_lord_will_choose.htm">The Place the LORD Will Choose</a> Refers to the central place of worship, which would later be established as Jerusalem. 5. <a href="/topical/s/servants_and_family_members.htm">Servants and Family Members</a> Includes sons, daughters, menservants, and maidservants, emphasizing communal worship and celebration.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/w/worship_in_community.htm">Worship in Community</a> God desires His people to worship together, emphasizing the importance of community in spiritual life. <a href="/topical/j/joyful_obedience.htm">Joyful Obedience</a> Rejoicing in the LORD is a command, not just a suggestion. Our obedience should be marked by joy and gratitude. <a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_in_worship.htm">Inclusivity in Worship</a> Worship is inclusive, involving all members of the community, regardless of social status, highlighting the unity of God's people. <a href="/topical/c/centrality_of_god's_presence.htm">Centrality of God's Presence</a> The focus is on worshiping in the presence of God, reminding us that true worship is centered on Him, not on location or ritual alone. <a href="/topical/p/provision_for_the_levites.htm">Provision for the Levites</a> The inclusion of the Levites underscores the responsibility to support those who minister spiritually, reflecting God's provision for His servants.<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/is_god_the_levites'_inheritance.htm">Is God the Levites' inheritance?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_levi's_landlessness_align_biblically.htm">How does Deuteronomy 10:8's statement that Levi had no land inheritance align with inherited lands described in other biblical texts?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_num._18_15-19_and_deut._differ.htm">Why does Numbers 18:15-19 differ in certain details from parallel instructions in Deuteronomy regarding firstborn offerings, and how can these discrepancies be reconciled?</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>(18) The Levite that is within thy gates.--The distribution of the Levites throughout the several tribes (ordered in <a href="/context/numbers/35-1.htm" title="And the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,">Numbers 35:1-8</a>), and carried out by Joshua (Deuteronomy 21), is here anticipated. The Levites had this provision in Israel until Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, when they migrated to the kingdom of Judah (<a href="/context/2_chronicles/11-13.htm" title="And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.">2Chronicles 11:13-14</a>). <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Instead, כִּ֡י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction you must eat them תֹּאכְלֶ֗נּוּ (tō·ḵə·len·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat in the presence לִפְנֵי֩ (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face of 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 אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ (’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 at the place בַּמָּקוֹם֙ (bam·mā·qō·wm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> A standing, a spot, a condition the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (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 אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮ (’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 will choose— יִבְחַ֜ר (yiḇ·ḥar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_977.htm">Strong's 977: </a> To try, select you, אַתָּ֨ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you your sons וּבִנְךָ֤ (ū·ḇin·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son and daughters, וּבִתֶּ֙ךָ֙ (ū·ḇit·te·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> A daughter your menservants וְעַבְדְּךָ֣ (wə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant and maidservants, וַאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ (wa·’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_519.htm">Strong's 519: </a> A maidservant, female slave and the Levite וְהַלֵּוִ֖י (wə·hal·lê·wî) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> Levites -- descendant of Levi within your gates. בִּשְׁעָרֶ֑יךָ (biš·‘ā·re·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> An opening, door, gate Rejoice וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֗ (wə·śā·maḥ·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8055.htm">Strong's 8055: </a> To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome before לִפְנֵי֙ (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (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 אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ (’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 in all בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every you do, מִשְׁלַ֥ח (miš·laḥ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4916.htm">Strong's 4916: </a> A sending out, presentation, seizure <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">Deuteronomy 12:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-18.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 12:18 But you shall eat them before Yahweh (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 12:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 12:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 12:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 12:19" /></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>