Deuteronômio 12
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Deuteronômio 12
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This starts the amplification of the Ten Words into daily regulations (i.e. Deuteronomy 12-26), which cover Israel's secular and sacred life. If one follows the outline of the Hittite Treaties, then (1) 4:1-11:32 contains the foundational laws and (2) Deut. 12:1-26:19 is the characteristic expansion and explanation of those laws. Scholars have delineated four "Law Codes" in the Pentateuch: Book of the covenant, Exod. 20:22-23:33 Priestly Code, Exodus 25-31 and 34:29 through Leviticus 16 Holiness Code, Leviticus 17-26 Deuteronomic Code, Deut. 12-26 and 28 However, this listing is more effected by Julius Wellhausen's source critical approach (i.e. J=YHWH; E=Elohim; D=Deuteronomy; and P=priestly writers) to the Pentateuch than contemporary, second millennium B.C. parallels (cf. R. K. Harrison, Old Testament times and John H. Walton, Ancient Israelite Literature In Its Cultural Context). This is the chapter where the controversy concerning the date of Deuteronomy rages. It centers around Deut. 12:1-7 which call for one central worship altar (later Jerusalem). It seems that this text relates to two separate periods and purposes: (1) in the wilderness (i.e. tabernacle) and (2) in the Promised Land. The purpose of all laws is proper worship of YHWH in place, motive and form. Idolatry and its worship sites are rejected. The tension seems to be between legitimate local places of worship (Exod. 20:24; Deut. 16:21) and a central place of Israeli worship. Local and special altars (cf. Deuteronomy 27) were allowed (e.g. 1 Kgs. 3:3-5), but the Ark, tabernacle, and later the temple are emphasized (i.e. one central cultic site). Historically it is to be noted that Hezekiah's reform was more oriented toward a central worship site than was Josiah's reform, which is usually used as the supposed historical occasion for the writing of Deuteronomy (i.e. 621 B.C., cf. 2 Kgs. 18:22; 2 Chr. 32:12 and Isa. 36:7). Josiah's reform primarily dealt with idolatry not centralized worship! I personally reject the JEDP theory of Pentateuch source criticism (cf. Josh McDowell More Evidence That Demands A Verdict). SPECIAL TOPIC: PENTATEUCH SOURCE CRITICISM See SPECIAL TOPIC: LAWS IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST
Deuteronômio 12:1-7
12:1 "the statutes and judgments" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. ▣ "you shall carefully observe" This is a combination of a VERB, "keep watch" (BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal IMPERFECT) and a Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, (BDB 793, KB 889). This is a recurrent theme (e.g. Exod. 23:13,21; 34:11-12; Lev. 18:4-5,26,30; Deut. 4:6,9,15,23,40; and many more especially in Deuteronomy and Wisdom Literature). SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP ▣ "which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you" The VERB shows completed action (BDB 678, KB 733, Qal PERFECT), yet the events are future. It is a Hebrew way of showing certainty (i.e. PROPHETIC PERFECT). This is a recurrent theme in Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 1:8,20,21,25,35,36,39; 2:29; 3:18,20; 4:1,21,38,40; 5:16,31; 6:10,23; 7:13,16; 8:10; 9:6,23; 10:11; 11:9,17,21,31; 12:1,9; 15:4; 17:14; 18:9; 19:1,2,8,14; 21:23; 24:4; 25:15,19; 26:1,2,3,6,9,10,15; 27:3; 28:8,11,52; 31:7; 32:49; 34:4). It shows YHWH's gracious choice and provision for Israel. ▣ "to possess" The VERB (BDB 439, KB 441, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) is a recurrent promise. SPECIAL TOPIC: POSSESS THE LAND ▣ "on the earth" "On the earth" is another way of saying "in the Land" (cf. Deut. 12:19). As long as the Israelites kept God's commandments, they could live in the Promised Land. See note at Deut. 4:40. This verse has two different words for "land": "in the land" ‒ BDB 75 "on the earth" ‒ BDB 9 They both refer to the whole earth or to the land of Canaan. They are usually synonyms (cf. Deut. 4:38-40; 11:8-9; 12:1; 26:2,15). SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH SPECIAL TOPIC: WORLD (several terms) 12:2 "utterly destroy all the places" "Utterly destroy" comes from a Hebrew word that means "cause to perish" (BDB 1, KB 2, Piel INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and Piel IMPERFECT VERB, which show intensity, cf. Deut. 12:3; Num. 33:52 [twice]; 2 Kgs. 21:3). YHWH was admonishing the Israelites to destroy the pagan altars so as not to become a part of their fertility worship (cf. Exod. 23:24; 34:13). SPECIAL TOPIC: UTTERLY DESTROY ▣ "on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree" These are the locations of local Ba'al and Asherah altars where fertility rites were practiced (cf. Jer. 2:20; 3:2,6; 17:2; Isa. 57:5,7; Hosea 4:13). SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE 12:3 "their altars. . .sacred pillars. . .Asherim" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL'S MANDATED RESPONSE TO CANAANITE FERTILITY WORSHIP ▣ "you shall obliterate their name from this place" The VERB (BDB 1, KB, 2; Piel PERFECT with waw) means "destroy." It is used several times in this context (i.e. Deut. 11:4,17; 12:2 [twice], 3). YHWH's name is to be "established" (BDB 1014, KB 1496, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT), but Ba'al and Asherah destroyed! Israel either destroys the pagan idols or she will be destroyed by YHWH (i.e. Deut. 8:19,20; 11:17; 28:15-19, 63). This reflects the "two ways" (i.e. blessings or cursings, your choice confirmed by your actions, cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; 30; Psalm 1). 12:5 "the place which the Lord your God shall choose" God chose (BDB 103, KB 119, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Deut. 12:11,14,18,21,26; 14:23-25; 15:20; 16:2,6,11,15; 17:8,10; 18:6; 26:2; 31:11) the worship site (cf. Exod. 20:24). The tabernacle (ark) traveled with Israel: Gilgal, Josh. 4:19; 10:6,15 Shechem, Josh. 8:33 Shiloh, Josh 18:1; Jdgs. 18:31; 1 Sam. 1:3 Bethel, (possible) Jdg. 20:18,26-28; 21:2 Kiriath-jearim, ark, 1 Sam. 6:21; 7:1-2 (priests at Nob, cf. 1 Samuel 21-22) Jerusalem David captures the citadel of Jebus (cf. 2 Sam. 5:1-10) David brings the ark to Jerusalem (cf. 2 Samuel 6) David purchases the site of the temple (2 Sam. 24:15-25; 2 Chr. 3:1) Many modern scholars have tried to assert that Deuteronomy was written late to accommodate Hezekiah and Josiah's reforms of centralizing Israel's worship. However, Deuteronomy does not name Jerusalem as the specific site that YHWH will choose. In context the theological contrast is between: the local Ba'al shrines and the one shrine of Israel the monotheism of Israel versus the polytheism of Canaan (and the rest of the Ancient Near East) ▣ "to establish His name there for His dwelling" "to put His name for His habitation" "as his habitation to put his name there" "where the people are to come into his presence" "there to set his name and give it a home" "to receive his name that it may dwell there" "to designate that his name be called there" "to put His name there" "to establish His name there" The translation of this verse is influenced by Deut. 12:11. Verse 5 has "for his dwelling" (BDB 1015), while Deut. 12:11 has "to make dwell" (BDB 1014, KB 1496, Piel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT). In meaning they are very similar and have no theological difference or connotation. The Israelites substituted YHWH's name for His presence. This is a direct reference to the Tabernacle in the early days. SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH 12:6 This verse lists several kinds of offerings: "burnt offerings" This meant wholly burnt offerings (BDB 750 II; see SPECIAL TOPIC: BURNT OFFERINGS). This was a way of showing total, complete dedication to God. It was a voluntary sacrifice (cf. Leviticus 1). "sacrifices" This refers to partially burnt, partially consumed offering (BDB 257). These were sin offerings, peace offerings, thanksgiving offerings, etc. These were any offerings which had blood involved (cf. Leviticus 7; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SIN OFFERING). "tithes" The tithe was Israel's way of supporting the priests, who were given no land inheritance (see SPECIAL TOPIC: TITHING IN THE MOSAIC LEGISLATION). There seem to be three tithes (BDB 798): for the central sanctuary for the local Levites, with the possibility of "a" every three years for the local poor (Lev. 27:30-33; Num. 18:21-22) "contributions of your hand" This is the Hebrew word for "heave-offerings" (BDB 929, cf. Lev. 7:32). This refers to a sacrifice where some part of the animal is lifted off for the priests to eat. "votive offerings" This (BDB 623) is an example of a conditional vow to YHWH, "I'll do this, if You will do that." This is the Jews keeping their part of the vow (Lev. 7:16-18). "freewill offerings" This (BDB 621) refers to an offering in thanks or praise from one who was overwhelmed with the goodness of YHWH (cf. Lev. 22:18ff). "first-born" This (BDB 114) is a reference to the Death Angel going through Egypt killing the firstborn of cattle and mankind. In light of this event all the first born of cattle and humans belonged uniquely to YHWH (cf. Exod.13; Lev. 27:26-27)! 12:7 "you and your household shall eat before the Lord" This refers to a fellowship meal, which is a theological precursor of both Passover and Eucharist (cf. Deut. 12:12,18; 14:26; Rev. 3:20). YHWH's people were created to rejoice (BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal PERFECT with waw) with Him in the physicalness of creation and the intimacy of worship (cf. Lev. 23:40; Num. 10:10; Deut. 12:7,12,18; 14:26; 16:11; 26:11; 27:7; 28:47). SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE OFFERING
Deuteronômio 12:8-12
12:8 "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today" Things will be more uniform in the Promised Land. The religious practices during the wilderness wanderings period were simpler than the more organized practices in the Promised Land and, especially at the temple, later located in Jerusalem. ▣ "every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes" This phrase has a neutral connotation here, but in Judges it takes on a sinister connotation of an individual asserting freedom from covenant obligations either through sinful choice or covenant ignorance (cf. Deut. 17:6; 21:25). 12:9 See note at Deut. 12:1 12:10 "He gives you rest. . .security" YHWH gives you rest (BDB 628, KB 679, Hiphil PERFECT with waw) from your enemies. This security (BDB 442, KB 444, Qal PERFECT with waw) was not achieved because of Israel's great military might, but because of the presence of YHWH. 12:11 "the place in which the Lord your God shall choose" This is a reference to the centralized place of worship (i.e. the tabernacle and the ark, cf. Deut. 12:5,14), which was first at Shiloh. See full note at Deut. 12:5. 12:12 "you shall rejoice" This is the purpose of YHWH's laws (cf. Deut. 12:7,18; 14:26; 28:47). ▣ "you and" Notice how everyone in the family including servants and the local Levites (cf. Deut. 12:19) were to be included! In a sense these were all extended family members. They were loved and provided for, both in life's necessities and for the next life (i.e. worship). 12:12, 19 "Levite who is within your gates" All priests were Levites, but not all Levites were priests. Here "Levite" refers to the non-priests of the family of Levi who symbolized the poor and needy (cf. Deut. 12:18,19; 14:27,29; 16:11,14; 26:12-13), because the Levites had been given no land. They were respected local teachers of the Law. SPECIAL TOPIC: LEVITICAL PRIESTS
Deuteronômio 12:13-14
12:13 "Be careful that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every cultic place you see" YHWH will show you the special places for offering (cf. Deut. 12:5,11,14). Do not use the many local Canaanite altars just because they are there. Don't offer a sacrifice to YHWH on altars erected for Ba'al. However, there were some local altars made for YHWH (cf. Deut. 16:21; 1 Kgs. 3:4). This verse has three VERBS: "be careful" ‒ BDB 1036, KB 1581, Niphal IMPERATIVE "do not offer" ‒ BDB 748, KB 828, Hiphil IMPERFECT used as an IMPERATIVE "see" ‒ BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERFECT
Deuteronômio 12:15-19
12:15, 20-24 "you may slaughter" This shows a widening of the Law (cf. Lev. 17:1ff). If an animal was killed (BDB 256, KB 261, Qal IMPERFECT) for food and not sacrifice, it could be killed anywhere. 12:15 "blessing" See SPECIAL TOPIC: BLESSING ▣ "unclean and the clean" This does not refer to unclean animals as far as food (cf. Deut. 12:20-22; Leviticus 11), but unclean animals as far as sacrifice. A blemished sheep could be eaten by humans as could some wild animals like deer, but not pigs, etc. SPECIAL TOPIC: FOOD LAWS (OT) 12:16 "you shall not eat the blood" This relates to the Hebrew reverence for blood as the symbol for life. Even when they killed animals, whether for eating or sacrifice, they poured the blood out (cf. Deut. 15:23; Lev. 17:13) and did not eat it, because life belonged to God. The blood represented life, life belongs to God (cf. Deut. 12:23-25; Gen. 9:4; Lev. 7:11-12; 17:10-11,14)! SPECIAL TOPIC: BLOOD 12:17-18 This is another warning about only using the central shrine for worship (cf. Deut. 12:26). 12:17 "the tithe" This verse lists several things that were to be tithed (BDB 798 cf. Deut. 14:23; 18:4; Num. 18:12): "grain" ‒ BDB 186 "wine" ‒ BDB 440 "oil" ‒ BDB 850 This was an agricultural society. SPECIAL TOPIC: TITHES IN THE MOSAIC LEGISLATION 12:19 See note at Deut. 12:12.
Deuteronômio 12:20-28
12:20 "I will eat meat" This VERB (BDB 37, KB 46) is repeated three times: Qal COHORTATIVE Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT Qal IMPERFECT If they desire to eat meat in the Promised Land they may surely do it: right kind of meat (Deut. 12:17,22) killed at the right place (Deut. 12:15,18,21,27) killed in the right way (Deut. 12:16,23-25) 12:23 "be sure" This VERB (BDB 304, KB 302, Qal IMPERATIVE) means "be strong" (cf. Deut. 31:6,7,23) in the sense of firmly refrain from something (cf. 1 Chr. 28:7). ▣ "not to eat blood" See note at Deut. 12:16. SPECIAL TOPIC: BLOOD ▣ NASB, NKJV, NJB, REB, JPSOA, Peshitta "for the blood is the life" "since blood is life" "for the life is in the blood" "because its blood is life" The MT has "for the blood is the life." The word "life" is literally the Hebrew nephesh (BDB 659). This term refers to air-breathing life on the planet, human and animal. The root itself is connected to the throat (i.e. airway). life is in the blood, Lev. 17:11 blood is nephesh, Deut. 12:23 See John H. Walton, ANE Thought and the OT: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible, pp. 213,214; also see my notes online at Gen. 35:18 and lev. 17:11. SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH 12:26 "holy things" This refers to the things mentioned in Deut. 12:17. 12:28 "Be careful" This VERB (BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal IMPERATIVE) is used repeatedly in Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 4:9,15,23; 6:12; 8:11; 11:16; 12:13,19,28,30; 15:9; 24:8) to encourage obedience to YHWH's covenant. ▣ "in order that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever" The VERB (BDB 405, KB 408, Qal IMPERFECT) is used several times in Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 4:40; 5:16,29,33; 6:3,18; 12:25,28; 22:7) and in Jeremiah (cf. Deut. 7:23; 38:20; 42:6) and refers to the blessed, happy, wholesome life of YHWH's people. Again, covenant obedience is linked to blessing and longevity in the land. This total obedience is admonished to successive generations i.e. forever). SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam and aiōnios) ▣ "for you will be doing what is good and right" "good" BDB 373 II in God's eyes, 6:18; 13:18; 2 Chr. 14:2 in man's eyes, Josh. 9:25; Jdg. 19:24; Jer. 26:14 "right" BDB 449, same as above, but also Deut. 12:25; 13:18; 1 Kgs. 11:38; 14:8; 15:11; 22:43; 2 Kgs. 12:2 (for a parallel to 1. b. above, see 12:8).
Deuteronômio 12:29-31
12:29 "before the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations" The VERB (BDB 503, KB 500, Hiphil IMPERFECT) means YHWH eliminated people by killing them (cf. Deut. 19:1; Josh. 23:4; 2 Sam. 7:9; Jer. 44:8). This indicates that YHWH is fighting Israel's battles. 12:30 "beware" See note at Deut. 12:28. ▣ "that you are not ensnared" The VERB (BDB 669, KB 723, Niphal IMPERFECT), in its Qal stem, literally means, "to bring down with a stick" (cf. Ps. 9:16). The Niphal stem, used only here, is a metaphorical extension implying "throw a stick at a target." ▣ "do not inquire after their gods" The VERB (BDB 205, KB 233, Qal IMPERFECT) means "to seek after": YHWH in Deut. 12:5; 4:29; Jer. 10:21; 29:13 Canaanite gods in Deut. 12:30; 2 Chr. 25:15,20; Jer. 8:2 12:31 YHWH is clearly saying to Israel that if they practice the same abominable fertility rites, He will remove them from the land (cf. Deut. 7:4; Lev. 18:24-30) as He did the Canaanites (cf. Gen. 15:16-21). YHWH "hates" (BDB 971, KB 1338, Qal PERFECT) idolatry (cf. Deut. 12:31; 16:22). SPECIAL TOPIC: IDOLATRY ▣ "every abominable act" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION
Deuteronômio 12:32
12:32 "you shall not add nor take away from it" God is serious about obedience to His word (see note at Deut. 4:2). However, Deuteronomy shows some adaptation of the laws of the desert period. We must apply the truths of the Bible for every new age and culture. God revealed Himself to a particular culture at a particular time. Some of it is related only to that time and people (e.g. holy war, polygamy, slavery, subjugation of women), but much of it is timeless truth to be applied to every age (for a discussion of how to distinguish between the eternal and the cultural, see Fee and Stuart, How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth, pp. 149-164 and Gordon Fee, Gospel and Spirit, pp. 1-36).