Deuteronomy 12:12 kjv
And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.
Deuteronomy 12:12 nkjv
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion nor inheritance with you.
Deuteronomy 12:12 niv
And there rejoice before the LORD your God?you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites from your towns who have no allotment or inheritance of their own.
Deuteronomy 12:12 esv
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male servants and your female servants, and the Levite that is within your towns, since he has no portion or inheritance with you.
Deuteronomy 12:12 nlt
"You must celebrate there in the presence of the LORD your God with your sons and daughters and all your servants. And remember to include the Levites who live in your towns, for they will receive no allotment of land among you.
Deuteronomy 12 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 12:7 | "And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice..." | Similar instruction for family rejoicing at the central place. |
| Deut 12:18 | "but you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place that the LORD your God chooses, you..." | Reiteration of communal eating and rejoicing. |
| Deut 14:26 | "...and you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household." | Echoes the command to rejoice with family at the sanctuary. |
| Deut 14:27 | "And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns..." | Direct command to not forget the Levite. |
| Deut 14:29 | "...and the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you..." | Justification for supporting the Levite. |
| Deut 16:11 | "And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter..." | Feast of Weeks includes the whole family and Levite. |
| Deut 16:14 | "You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male and female servant..." | Feast of Booths, similar comprehensive inclusion. |
| Num 18:20 | "And the LORD said to Aaron, 'You shall have no inheritance in their land... I am your portion...' " | States the Lord is the Levites' inheritance. |
| Num 18:21-24 | "To the Levites, I have given every tithe... in return for their service..." | Defines Levites' support through tithes, not land. |
| Josh 13:33 | "But to the tribe of Levi, Moses gave no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel is their inheritance..." | Confirms Levites' lack of territorial inheritance. |
| Josh 14:4 | "...the children of Joseph had two portions; so they gave no part to the Levites..." | Further confirms Levites did not receive land among tribes. |
| Neh 8:10 | "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength." | Links joy directly to the Lord and spiritual strength. |
| Ps 100:2 | "Serve the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing!" | Joy and gladness as proper approach to divine presence. |
| Acts 2:46 | "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received..." | Early church practices communal joy and sharing. |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple...?" | Principle of supporting those who serve God, akin to Levites. |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you..." | All are one in Christ, reflecting universal inclusion. |
| Eph 2:19 | "...you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's..." | Christians are part of God's household, a spiritual family. |
| Phil 4:4 | "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." | New Testament command to find joy in the Lord consistently. |
| Heb 13:16 | "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." | Principle of sharing and generosity as an act of worship. |
| Jas 1:27 | "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows..." | Emphasizes care for the vulnerable, resonating with Levite care. |
| Rom 12:13 | "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." | Instruction to share and support fellow believers. |
Deuteronomy 12 verses
Deuteronomy 12 12 Meaning
Deuteronomy 12:12 commands the people of Israel to rejoice with profound gladness and thanksgiving in the presence of the Lord, their God. This communal celebration is to include every member of their household—parents, children, and all servants—along with the Levite who resides in their towns. The special emphasis on the Levite is due to their unique position of having no allocated land or inheritance among the other tribes, making them dependent on the generosity and spiritual fellowship of the broader Israelite community for their sustenance and inclusion in worship. This verse encapsulates the principles of joyful worship, communal unity, and social responsibility within the covenant.
Deuteronomy 12 12 Context
Deuteronomy 12 inaugurates a new phase of laws for Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The central theme of the chapter is the establishment of a single, central place of worship—"the place that the LORD your God will choose." This command stands in stark contrast to the diverse and localized worship practices of the Canaanites, which Israel was to utterly destroy (Deut 12:2-4). By centralizing worship, God aimed to prevent idolatry, maintain the purity of worship, and foster national unity under Him. Within this framework of worship, the emphasis shifts from solemn obligation to joyful communal celebration. Verse 12 specifically applies these principles to family units and, significantly, to the Levites, underscoring the inclusivity and social justice inherent in God's covenant with His people. The repeated inclusion of "the Levite who is within your towns" across Deuteronomy highlights their unique, dependent status, and the community's responsibility for their welfare in their newfound settled life.
Deuteronomy 12 12 Word analysis
- And you shall rejoice (וְשְׂמַחְתֶּם - v'samekhtem): Derived from the Hebrew root samach (שָׂמַח), meaning "to be glad, cheerful, joyful." This is not a passive emotion but an active, commanded expression of joy. It reflects an internal state of delight, contentment, and gratitude towards God for His blessings and presence, transforming communal gathering into vibrant celebration rather than mere ritual.
- before the LORD your God (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - lifnei YHWH Eloheikem): This phrase signifies being in the divine presence, specifically implying worship at the centralized sanctuary chosen by God. "LORD your God" emphasizes the unique covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, grounding their joy in their identity as God's chosen people.
- you and your sons and your daughters: This phrase highlights the familial dimension of worship and celebration. It indicates that the entire nuclear family unit is expected to participate, emphasizing intergenerational transmission of faith and communal belonging.
- your male and female servants (וַעֲבָדֵיכֶם וְאַמְהֹתֵיכֶם - va'avadeikhem v'amahoteikhem): This command reflects a revolutionary social inclusion for the ancient world. Servants, who might be indentured Israelites or non-Israelite captives, are not merely onlookers but active, recognized participants in the worship and feasting. This inclusion underscores God's concern for human dignity across all social strata and contrasts with the stratified societies of the ancient Near East, reflecting the liberation motif from Egypt.
- and the Levite who is within your towns (וְהַלֵּוִי אֲשֶׁר בְּשַׁעֲרֵיכֶם - v'halleiwi asher b'sha'areikem): The specific inclusion of the Levite is paramount. "Within your towns" (lit. "in your gates") means they live among the ordinary Israelites, distributed throughout the land without a consolidated tribal territory. This distinguishes them from the nomadic Levites in the wilderness. Their dependence on the people is inherent in this placement.
- since he has no portion or inheritance with you (כִּי אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק וְנַחֲלָה אִתְּכֶם - ki ein lo cheleq v'nachalah ittakhem): This clause provides the divine rationale for the Levite's explicit inclusion and communal care. Cheleq (חֵלֶק) refers to a "share" or "allotment," and nachalah (נַחֲלָה) means "inheritance" or "allotted possession." Unlike the other tribes, the Levites received no territorial land as their inheritance; their inheritance was the LORD Himself and the tithes and offerings of the people (Num 18:20, Deut 10:9). This lack of land necessitates the community's generous and inclusive provision, reinforcing principles of social justice and shared covenant blessings.
Deuteronomy 12 12 Bonus section
This verse's emphasis on joy and inclusivity provides a stark contrast to ancient Near Eastern pagan cults, which often involved solemn, fearful rituals or individualistic offerings. The command to rejoice before the Lord frames worship as a delightful experience of fellowship, not a burdensome obligation. The principles embedded here — familial participation, social equality, and care for the materially disadvantaged — resonate throughout Scripture, demonstrating God's consistent concern for a righteous and compassionate society. It illustrates that true worship extends beyond ritual; it embodies social justice and expresses itself in the practical inclusion of all covenant members in the blessings of God.
Deuteronomy 12 12 Commentary
Deuteronomy 12:12 lays down a foundational principle for covenant community life: joyful, communal worship before the Lord. It's not enough for individuals to worship; the entire household must participate, fostering a shared experience of gratitude and identity. The groundbreaking aspect of this verse lies in its radical inclusion: it explicitly brings servants and the Levite into the circle of celebration. The inclusion of servants highlights a divinely mandated social ethic where human dignity transcends status. The imperative to include the Levite, justified by their unique status as having "no portion or inheritance" in the land, establishes a crucial ethical and theological responsibility. This isn't just about charity; it's about active inclusion and recognizing the interdependent nature of the covenant community. The Levites' dedication to spiritual service meant their material well-being depended entirely on the faithfulness and generosity of the other tribes. Therefore, sharing joyful worship with them was an act of both piety and practical support, ensuring no member of the covenant community was forgotten. This command anticipates the broader New Testament ethic of communal care, shared resources, and mutual responsibility within the body of believers.