Deuteronomy 14 23

Deuteronomy 14:23 kjv

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.

Deuteronomy 14:23 nkjv

And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

Deuteronomy 14:23 niv

Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive 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 revere the LORD your God always.

Deuteronomy 14:23 esv

And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

Deuteronomy 14:23 nlt

Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship ? the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored ? and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 14 verses

Deuteronomy 14 23 Meaning

Deuteronomy 14:23 describes the Israelite's obligation to bring the tithe of their agricultural produce and the firstborn of their livestock to a central sanctuary chosen by the Lord. This act of consumption "before the Lord" was not merely a ritual but a pedagogical practice, intended to teach the people profound reverence for God, shaping their daily lives and economic habits in perpetual dependence and obedience to Him. It fostered national unity around a common place of worship and instilled a lasting fear of God.

Deuteronomy 14 23 Context

Deuteronomy 14 is part of a larger section (chapters 12-26) detailing the specific laws for the renewed covenant given to Israel before entering the promised land. Chapter 14 specifically outlines regulations concerning clean and unclean foods, and importantly, instructions on tithing and offerings. This particular verse (14:23) mandates that the annual "second tithe" (distinguished from the Levitical tithe of Numbers 18 and the poor tithe of Deuteronomy 26:12) be consumed by the worshiper in the presence of the Lord at a centralized sanctuary. This Deuteronomic instruction emphasizes pilgrimage to a singular, divinely chosen place, directly contrasting with the localized, often chaotic, religious practices of surrounding Canaanite cultures who worshipped various deities at numerous high places or sacred groves. It reinforced Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh, demanding exclusive and unified worship centered on His dwelling place, thereby safeguarding them from syncretism and polytheism.

Deuteronomy 14 23 Word analysis

• "And you shall eat": The verb ʾāḵal (אָכַל) implies direct consumption, but also participation and enjoyment. This act was not merely an offering given but an offering shared, reinforcing a communal meal and joyful fellowship with God at His chosen place. This contrasts with other tithes or sacrifices that were entirely for the priests or for burning.
• "before the Lord your God": The Hebrew liḵnê Yehovah ʾĔlōheykha (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ) signifies being in the very presence of the divine, acknowledging God's sovereignty and holiness. It underscores that this act is worship and communion, not just a tax or administrative duty.
• "in the place that he will choose": bamāqôm ʾăšer yivḥar (בַּמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר). This is a foundational and oft-repeated theme in Deuteronomy, referring to a singular, central sanctuary (which would eventually be Jerusalem/the Temple). This phrase functions as a strong polemic against the decentralized, localized, and often idolatrous worship sites prevalent among Canaanite nations, which Israel was to eradicate. It emphasized Yahweh's uniqueness and exclusivity of worship.
• "to make his name dwell there": ləšakkēn šəmô šām (לְשַׁכֵּן שְׁמוֹ שָׁם). God's "name" represents His character, authority, and actual presence, yet paradoxically, a holy and infinite God cannot be fully contained by a physical structure (cf. 1 Kgs 8:27). So, His "name dwelling" signifies where He uniquely chooses to manifest His presence and receive worship. It implies the divine presence validates the site and ensures proper worship.
• "the tithe of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil": These items (Hebrew dāḡān, tîrôš, yiṣhār) represent the staple agricultural products of ancient Israel – the primary sources of their livelihood. Tithing them consecrated the means of sustenance, acknowledging God as the ultimate provider and owner of the land's bounty (Lev 25:23).
• "and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock": bəḵōr bāqār waṣṣōn. The firstborn were especially valuable and symbolically represented the strength and blessing of reproduction. They were uniquely God's, signifying His claim on the best and acknowledging Him as the source of all life and fertility (Exod 13:2; Num 3:13).
• "that you may learn": ləmaʿan tilmad (לְמַעַן תִּלְמַד). This is the explicit purpose of the ritual. The physical act of journeying and consuming the tithe served as a profound lesson. It was an experiential education in divine dependence, obedience, and reverence. The instruction was not merely cognitive but formative.
• "to fear the Lord your God always": ləyirʾāh ʾeṯ-Yehovah ʾĔlōheykha kōl-hayyāmîm (לְיִרְאָה אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ כָּל־הַיָּמִים). "Fear" (יִרְאָה - yirah) here is not terror, but profound reverence, awe, worshipful submission, and moral obedience rooted in understanding God's holy nature and covenantal power. "Always" (kōl-hayyāmîm) implies that this learned fear was to be a lifelong, continuous disposition, affecting every aspect of their lives and guiding their choices perpetually. This holistic fear is foundational to wisdom and true worship in the Old Testament.

Deuteronomy 14 23 Bonus section

The practice outlined in Deut 14:23 directly connects to the Deuteronomic emphasis on a centralized worship site as a key strategy against religious syncretism. This centralized worship concept for Israel meant the eventual eradication of decentralized 'high places' where people might engage in idol worship or corrupt forms of worship. This verse also implicitly involves joyous celebration and family feasting, making worship a delightful and shared experience, not merely a somber duty. The tithe of grain, new wine, and oil formed the basis for their livelihood, ensuring that acknowledging God was ingrained in their daily sustenance. The bringing of the firstborn animals had echoes of sacrificial systems and dedication, affirming that God claims the prime of all possessions. The command "that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always" points to the profound understanding that true education is deeply spiritual, linking reverence for God to the practical aspects of daily life and material stewardship. This teaching component signifies that Israel's economic practices were deeply intertwined with its theological convictions.

Deuteronomy 14 23 Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:23 establishes a foundational principle for Israel's economic life and spiritual education. The annual pilgrimage with the "second tithe" to the central sanctuary served multiple, interwoven purposes. Economically, it taught Israelites generosity, gratitude, and a relinquishing of possessiveness, acknowledging God's ultimate ownership and provision. Spiritually, the act of eating before the Lord cultivated an intimate communion with God, turning what might have been a simple tax into an act of joyous worship. Most importantly, it was pedagogical. The recurring experience of traveling, bringing their resources, and sharing them in God's presence taught the entire family, particularly the children, the meaning of reverence for God, obedience to His commands, and the profound joy found in His presence. This cultivated a "fear of the Lord" – a comprehensive, abiding reverence and devotion that was meant to influence their actions and attitudes every day of their lives, providing the ethical and spiritual anchor for the entire society. It ensured national unity under God's appointed place of worship, distinguishing Israel sharply from pagan nations.

• Practical usage example: Families can set aside resources or time together for communal worship or service, making it a regular and joyful practice that instills reverence for God in children, echoing the principle of teaching through shared experience before the Lord.
• Practical usage example: Christians today can understand that consistent, purposeful giving and participation in congregational worship contribute not just to the church's mission but also serve as a profound, experiential teaching ground for personal reverence and faith development.