Deuteronomy 15 20

Deuteronomy 15:20 kjv

Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.

Deuteronomy 15:20 nkjv

You and your household shall eat it before the LORD your God year by year in the place which the LORD chooses.

Deuteronomy 15:20 niv

Each year you and your family are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose.

Deuteronomy 15:20 esv

You shall eat it, you and your household, before the LORD your God year by year at the place that the LORD will choose.

Deuteronomy 15:20 nlt

Instead, you and your family must eat these animals in the presence of the LORD your God each year at the place he chooses.

Deuteronomy 15 verses

Deuteronomy 15 20 Meaning

Deuteronomy 15:20 directs the Israelite to regularly present and consume the dedicated firstborn male animal from their herd or flock. This sacred meal was to take place annually "before the LORD" at the specific central sanctuary chosen by God, involving the entire household. It signified God's ownership of the firstfruits of their increase, acknowledged His provision, and fostered a communal celebration of the covenant relationship in a hallowed space.

Deuteronomy 15 20 Context

Deuteronomy 15:20 falls within Moses' second discourse to Israel, providing detailed laws and stipulations of the covenant before their entry into the Promised Land. Specifically, it concludes a section (15:19-23) concerning the dedication of the firstborn male animals to the Lord. This command flows directly from verse 19, which states that "Every firstborn male born of your herd and of your flock you shall consecrate to the LORD your God."

The broader chapter 15 addresses social and economic laws, including the sabbatical year for debt release (vv. 1-11) and the liberation of Hebrew servants (vv. 12-18). This demonstrates God's concern for both social justice and proper worship. The law of firstborn offerings emphasizes the Lord's absolute claim over His people and all their produce, reminding Israel of their unique status as His redeemed "firstborn" among nations (Exod 4:22). Historically, this command ensured centralized worship and maintained purity in Israel's religious practices, setting them apart from pagan customs that often involved localized, idolatrous sacrifices.

Deuteronomy 15 20 Word analysis

• You shall eat it (וְאָכַלְתָּ v'akhálta אֹתוֹ otó): This is a direct command, implying participation in a sacred meal. The consumption of the firstborn offering by the worshiper and household is a distinctive feature of this particular offering, distinguishing it from burnt offerings (which are fully consumed by fire) and signifying a shared fellowship with God over His dedicated gift. It is an act of acknowledging God's blessing and celebrating His ownership, creating a tangible connection between the Giver and the recipients of His provision.
• before the LORD your God (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ lifnéi YHWH Elohéycha): This phrase emphasizes the sacredness of the act. "Before the LORD" means in His presence, indicating the offering takes place at His chosen sanctuary, which represents His dwelling among His people. It implies a sense of reverence, accountability, and intimate communion with the divine. The phrase "your God" personalizes the covenant relationship, reminding Israel of Yahweh's specific relationship with them.
• year by year (שָׁנָה בְשָׁנָה shānâ bəshānâ): This denotes a regular, annual obligation, emphasizing consistency and a recurring demonstration of devotion. It underscores that covenant obligations are not one-time acts but continuous expressions of faithfulness, integrating worship into the rhythm of their lives and economy.
• in the place which the LORD chooses (בַּמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר יְהוָה bamāqōm ʼăšer yibḥar YHWH): This is a pivotal theological concept in Deuteronomy. It mandates a single, centralized sanctuary for legitimate Israelite worship. This "chosen place" (which later became Jerusalem and the Temple) was intended to prevent the proliferation of local shrines (high places) and pagan syncretism, thereby safeguarding the purity of Yahweh worship and Israel's spiritual distinctiveness. It reinforced national unity and common religious identity.
• you and your household (אַתָּה וּבֵיתֶךָ attâ uvéitkha): This signifies the communal and family-centric nature of Israelite worship. It emphasizes that covenant responsibilities and blessings extend beyond the individual head of household to include the entire family unit. The participation of the household in this sacred meal strengthened familial bonds and intergenerational transmission of faith and covenant identity. It represents the collective joy and blessing derived from obedience to God's commands.

Deuteronomy 15 20 Bonus section

The concept of the firstborn in the Bible consistently signifies priority, authority, and special dedication to God. From Abel's firstfruits to the dedication of Israel itself as God's "firstborn son" among nations (Exod 4:22), and ultimately to Christ as the "firstborn over all creation" and "firstborn from the dead," the theme echoes throughout Scripture. This verse in Deuteronomy 15, therefore, is not merely a law about animals, but a theological principle about God's claim on the best and the first of everything, and humanity's joyful response in dedicating back to Him what is inherently His. The command to eat the sacrifice involved the entire family, teaching them not only about ownership but also about enjoying God's provision in His presence, a foreshadowing of future covenant meals, including the ultimate feast shared with believers in Christ.

Deuteronomy 15 20 Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:20 details the annual observance surrounding the offering of the firstborn male animals. It commands the Israelite farmer to bring the unblemished firstborn to the central sanctuary and consume it there with their household before the Lord. This was not a burdensome tax but a privileged invitation to partake in a sacred feast that simultaneously honored God's ownership, demonstrated gratitude for His provision, and fostered communal solidarity.

The eating "before the LORD" points to fellowship and intimate communion within the covenant, while the phrase "year by year" establishes a rhythmic, sustained devotion. The stipulation of "the place which the LORD chooses" is a foundational Deuteronomic principle, ensuring cultic purity and national unity by centralizing worship and safeguarding against the localized idolatry common among surrounding nations. By involving "you and your household," the command reinforced the family as the basic unit of covenant participation, embedding faith and practice into daily life and family tradition. This regular act of dedication and shared consumption affirmed Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh, their Provider and Owner of all things, culminating in joyous worship and a tangible experience of His blessings.