Deuteronomy 12 6

Deuteronomy 12:6 kjv

And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

Deuteronomy 12:6 nkjv

There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.

Deuteronomy 12:6 niv

there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.

Deuteronomy 12:6 esv

and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.

Deuteronomy 12:6 nlt

There you will bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your sacred offerings, your offerings to fulfill a vow, your voluntary offerings, and your offerings of the firstborn animals of your herds and flocks.

Deuteronomy 12 verses

Deuteronomy 12 6 Meaning

Deuteronomy 12:6 specifies the types of sacred contributions the Israelites were to bring exclusively to the central sanctuary, the specific "place" God would choose for His name to dwell. This instruction marked a fundamental shift from worship at scattered altars to a unified, centralized worship system in the promised land. It emphasized total dedication to the Lord through various forms of offerings and gifts, encompassing both obligatory duties and voluntary expressions of devotion, acknowledging Him as the source of all blessings.

Deuteronomy 12 6 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 12 introduces one of the most significant changes to Israelite worship practice since the giving of the Law at Sinai: the centralization of worship. Up to this point, particularly in the wilderness, sacrifices could be offered at various legitimate altars. As Israel was about to enter Canaan, a land filled with pagan cultic sites and decentralized idolatrous worship, God commanded them to destroy all such places and worship Him only at "the place which the LORD your God shall choose" (Deut 12:5). This divine choice for a single worship center (later fulfilled by Shiloh, then Jerusalem/the Temple) served several critical purposes: preventing syncretism with Canaanite religions, safeguarding the purity of Israel's worship, and fostering national unity around Yahweh's unique identity. Verse 6 specifically enumerates the various types of offerings that were to be exclusively brought to this divinely appointed location, underscoring the comprehensive nature of worship that was now tied to this single holy site.

Deuteronomy 12 6 Word analysis

• And thither (וְשָׁמָּה - wəšāmmāh): The conjunction "and" links this instruction to the previous verse (Deut 12:5) emphasizing the exclusivity of the chosen place. "Thither" directly points to that singular, divinely designated location, stressing that all subsequent actions must occur there. This stands in stark contrast to the scattered pagan altars Israel was commanded to destroy.
• ye shall bring (תָבִיאוּ - tāvī’u): A strong imperative, denoting a command, not an option. It signifies the responsibility and obligation of every Israelite to personally present their offerings, highlighting active participation in their covenant relationship with God.
• your burnt offerings (עֹלֹתֵיכֶם - ʿōlōṯêḵem): Derived from ʿālāh meaning "to go up" or "ascend." This offering was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement for unintentional sins. It represented a worshiper's total surrender to God, as the entire animal ascended as a pleasing aroma.
• and your sacrifices (וְזִבְחֵיכֶם - wəzivḥêḵem): From zāvaḥ, "to slaughter" for sacrifice. This term is often a general reference but in specific contexts, particularly here when listed alongside other types, it commonly refers to peace offerings (šəlamim). These offerings were characterized by a communal meal shared between the worshiper, priests, and God, symbolizing fellowship, thanksgiving, and reconciliation.
• and your tithes (וּמַעְשְׂרֹתֵיכֶם - ūmaʿaśrōṯêḵem): A tenth part, representing the acknowledgment of God's ownership of everything and Israel's stewardship. Tithes supported the Levites and priests (Num 18), enabling them to devote themselves to divine service without secular work, and also included offerings for the poor (Deut 14:28-29) and festive meals at the sanctuary (Deut 14:22-27).
• and the heave offering of your hand (וּתְרוּמַת יֶדְכֶם - ūṯərumaṯ yedḵem): From rum, meaning "to lift up" or "exalt." It was a portion lifted or separated from other offerings, such as firstfruits or portions of peace offerings, signifying a voluntary offering "lifted up" or dedicated to God, often given to the priests. It represents generous and willing contribution from one's possessions.
• and your vows (וְנִדְרֵיכֶם - wənidrêḵem): From nādar, "to vow." These were promises or solemn declarations made to God, often conditional on receiving a blessing, and were considered highly binding obligations. Their fulfillment demonstrated devotion and faithfulness.
• and your freewill offerings (וְנִדְבֹתֵיכֶם - wənidvōṯêḵem): From nādev, "to be willing" or "generous." These were spontaneous gifts given purely out of love, gratitude, or devotion, not bound by obligation or a prior vow. They expressed joyful generosity and overflow of the heart.
• and the firstlings (וּבְכֹרֹת - ūvəḵorōt): The firstborn animals (of herds and flocks). This was a recognition of God's sovereignty over life and productivity (Exo 13:2). As God had "first" claimed the firstborn of Egypt during the Exodus, so Israel's firstborn were consecrated to Him, signifying that the "first and best" of one's possessions belonged to God.
• of your herds and of your flocks (בְּקַרְכֶם וְצֹאנְכֶם - bəqarḵem wəṣōʾnḵem): Specifies the type of livestock from which the firstlings were to be drawn, indicating the primary source of wealth and livelihood in agrarian Israel. This phrase collectively denotes agricultural produce and animal wealth, encompassing the primary resources by which Israelites supported themselves, from which God demanded acknowledgement.

Deuteronomy 12 6 Bonus section

• Progression of "the Place": The ambiguity of "the place which the LORD your God shall choose" allowed for a historical progression: initially the Tabernacle (mobile sanctuary), then Shiloh, and ultimately the permanent Temple in Jerusalem under Solomon (1 Kgs 8:10-11). This adaptable command guided Israel until the final, settled expression of God's presence among them in the Old Covenant era.
• Distinction from Pagan Worship: This comprehensive list of offerings, coupled with the command for a single site, stands as a polemic against the Canaanite religious system, which involved cultic prostitution, child sacrifice, and numerous local high places associated with different gods. Deuteronomy 12 demanded ethical, pure worship, fundamentally distinct from the depravity seen in the land they were to inhabit.
• Symbolism of "Firstlings": The "firstlings" symbolize God's right to the first and best. This principle, established from the time of Cain and Abel, underscores that gratitude and devotion should lead to offering excellence, not just remnants. It taught Israel trust in God's provision for the future, knowing that offering the first would not diminish their blessing.
• New Covenant Application: While the literal practice of these animal and material sacrifices ceased with Christ's ultimate sacrifice (Heb 9-10), the underlying principles of devotion, generosity, thanksgiving, and dedication of one's "first and best" to God persist in the New Covenant. Believers are called to present themselves as "living sacrifices" (Rom 12:1) and to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, service, and generous giving (Heb 13:15-16; Phil 4:18).

Deuteronomy 12 6 Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:6, nestled within the broader command for centralized worship, details the full spectrum of gifts and offerings required to be presented at God's chosen sanctuary. This directive was not merely about location, but fundamentally about the purity and exclusivity of worship. By specifying a single divine center, God shielded Israel from the fragmented, localized idolatry rampant among the Canaanites, ensuring that all worship reflected a singular devotion to Him alone. The listed offerings — from total dedication (burnt offerings) to fellowship (sacrifices), communal support (tithes), voluntary giving (heave offerings, freewill offerings), covenant faithfulness (vows), and recognition of divine blessing (firstlings) — collectively painted a comprehensive picture of Israel's expected relationship with YHWH. Each type of offering carried its own spiritual weight and communal function, demonstrating that true worship encompassed every aspect of life, possessions, and commitment. This centralization forged national identity under God, unified ritual practice, and safeguarded doctrinal purity, laying the groundwork for a people distinctively devoted to their Lord. For example, instead of offering anywhere, a family would travel, gathering with others, reinforcing collective identity in faith.