Deuteronomy 12 27

Deuteronomy 12:27 kjv

And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.

Deuteronomy 12:27 nkjv

And you shall offer your burnt offerings, the meat and the blood, on the altar of the LORD your God; and the blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the LORD your God, and you shall eat the meat.

Deuteronomy 12:27 niv

Present your burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD your God, both the meat and the blood. The blood of your sacrifices must be poured beside the altar of the LORD your God, but you may eat the meat.

Deuteronomy 12:27 esv

and offer your burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, on the altar of the LORD your God. The blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the LORD your God, but the flesh you may eat.

Deuteronomy 12:27 nlt

You must offer the meat and blood of your burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD your God. The blood of your other sacrifices must be poured out on the altar of the LORD your God, but you may eat the meat.

Deuteronomy 12 verses

Deuteronomy 12 27 Meaning

Deuteronomy 12:27 outlines the proper ritual for sacrificing animals to the LORD in the designated central sanctuary. It dictates that for burnt offerings, both the flesh and the blood are to be presented upon the altar of the LORD your God, signifying a complete dedication to Him. It then clarifies that the blood of all your sacrifices (including non-burnt offerings like peace offerings) must be poured out upon the altar, emphasizing the sacredness of life and its exclusive return to God. Finally, it permits the consumption of the flesh for the offerer in specific sacrifice types (peace offerings), establishing the sacred communal meal as part of worship, while maintaining the distinction that the flesh of burnt offerings is entirely consumed by fire on the altar.

Deuteronomy 12 27 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 12 serves as a pivotal theological and legislative foundation for Israel's worship practices upon entering the promised land. The overarching theme is the centralization of worship in "the place which the LORD your God shall choose" (Deut 12:5). This verse (12:27) fits directly within the detailed instructions concerning how sacrifices are to be offered only at this singular, divinely chosen location, contrasting sharply with the scattered altars prevalent among pagan nations and even historically in Israel's earlier nomadic period. The context directly counters the Canaanite religious practices, which involved polytheism, diverse locations of worship, and ritualistic blood-consumption or practices considered an abomination by Yahweh (Deut 12:2-4, 30-31). This chapter emphasizes the unique holiness of the LORD and the necessity of pure, unified worship to avoid syncretism and maintain the integrity of their covenant relationship with God. Verse 27 specifically outlines how the offerings—both their sacred, life-representing blood and their dedicatory flesh—must be properly handled to preserve this holiness and distinction.

Deuteronomy 12 27 Word Analysis

• And thou shalt offer (וְעָשִׂיתָ - wĕʿāśîṯā): From the verb עָשָׂה ('asa), meaning "to do, make, perform." Here, it's a direct, emphatic command in the active voice, implying a duty or responsibility for the Israelite to perform these specific actions. It emphasizes ritual action.
• thy burnt offerings (עֹלֹתֶיךָ - ʿōlōṯeyḵā): Refers to the ʿōlāh sacrifice. This is a "whole burnt offering" from the root עָלָה ('alah) meaning "to ascend." It signifies complete surrender and devotion to God, as the entire animal (except for hide) was consumed by fire on the altar and ascended as a "soothing aroma" to the LORD, with no part consumed by the worshipper.
• the flesh (הַבָּשָׂר - habBāśār): The physical meat of the animal. For the burnt offering, this flesh would be completely burnt. In context of "thy sacrifices" later, it denotes edible portions.
• and the blood (וְהַדָּם - wĕhaDDām): Refers to the life-blood of the animal. In the ancient Near East, blood was almost universally considered sacred as it contained the "life" (nefesh) of a creature. For Israelites, it was exclusively God's. It symbolizes atonement and purity when applied correctly to the altar.
• upon the altar (עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - ʿal-hamMizbēaḥ): The altar was the central point of worship and atonement, where offerings were presented to God. It signified divine presence and communication. Sacrifices presented upon it, either for burning or having blood applied to it.
• of the LORD thy God (לַֽיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - laYHWH ʾĔlōheyḵā): Emphasizes that these rituals are directed specifically and solely to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This distinguishes Israelite worship from pagan practices directed at other deities, often through defiled rituals. It asserts divine ownership and proper address.
• and the blood of thy sacrifices (וְדַם־זְבָחֶיךָ - wĕdam-zĕvāḥeyḵā): "Sacrifices" (זְבָחֶיךָ - zĕvāḥeyḵā, plural of זֶבַח - zevach) is a broader term, often referring to communion/peace offerings (זְבָחִים שְׁלָמִים - zevakhim shĕlamim) where a portion of the meat was consumed by the offerer and priests, unlike burnt offerings. This phrase clarifies that even for these shared meals, the blood retains its ultimate sacredness and specific handling.
• shall be poured out (יִשָּׁפֵךְ - yiššāp̄êḵ): From שָׁפַךְ (shaphakh), meaning "to pour out, spill." This specific action for blood denotes its sacred disposal back to God, ensuring it is not consumed or misused, upholding its inviolability. It's a symbolic return of the life principle to its divine source.
• and thou shalt eat the flesh: This concluding clause differentiates the fate of the flesh. While the flesh of the burnt offering is fully consumed by fire, the flesh of other sacrifices (peace offerings, for instance) is permitted for consumption by the worshipper, allowing for a communal meal aspect within the sacred context. This eating signifies fellowship and participation in the offering.

Deuteronomy 12 27 Bonus section

The emphasis on blood throughout the Old Testament, particularly in its specific handling and prohibition from consumption, underscores its theological weight. This focus finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through the person and work of Jesus Christ. His blood, shed on the cross, is presented as the perfect and ultimate atoning sacrifice, rendering the animal sacrifices of the Mosaic covenant (foreshadowed in Deut 12:27) obsolete yet divinely significant as shadows. The detailed Old Testament laws regarding the handling of blood provided a pedagogical framework, teaching Israel about the seriousness of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the value of life, all preparing them (and us) for the profound truth of Christ's one-time, perfect sacrifice for the remission of sins. Therefore, understanding the meticulous instructions of this verse enriches our comprehension of salvation through Christ's blood.

Deuteronomy 12 27 Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:27 is a succinct yet profound instruction within Moses' address to Israel, cementing crucial aspects of their future worship in the promised land. It is deeply embedded in the theme of a singular, divinely chosen sanctuary (the centralization of worship), a foundational principle for avoiding syncretism with Canaanite cults. The verse delineates the proper disposal of both flesh and blood for different types of offerings, ensuring ritual purity and honoring God's unique sovereignty.

For the burnt offering ('ōlāh), the total presentation of flesh and blood upon the altar symbolizes absolute dedication and propitiation. The blood, understood as the life-force, must always be "returned" to God. The distinction then extends to other sacrifices (zevakhim), where the blood, sacred in all instances, is still poured out on the altar. However, in these types of sacrifices (primarily peace offerings), the worshipper is permitted to eat the flesh. This dual instruction highlights different dimensions of sacrifice: the 'ōlāh as a full ascent to God (no part eaten), and the zevach as fellowship with God, shared between God (represented by the altar portions), the priests, and the offerers.

This specific mandate on blood disposal also serves as a potent polemic against pagan practices, which often involved consuming blood, using it for divination, or integrating it into idolatrous fertility rites. By forbidding the consumption of blood and commanding its application/pouring on the altar, Israel's God emphasizes life's sanctity and His exclusive claim over it, distinguishing His holy worship from defiled foreign rituals. This reinforces the broader covenant principle that life belongs to God and can only be used as a means of atonement in a way that He Himself has prescribed. The verse thus underpins the covenant community's sacred dietary laws and unique theological identity, stressing obedience, holiness, and fellowship with Yahweh.

Practical examples from these principles:

• Sanctity of life: Emphasizes reverence for life, both human and animal, recognizing its source in God.
• Worship with precision: God expects worship according to His divine instructions, not human ingenuity.
• Communion vs. Consecration: Illustrates the biblical concepts of sacrifices as total dedication (burnt offerings) versus those for fellowship (peace offerings), guiding believers today to consider aspects of total devotion and also communion with God in their spiritual lives.