Deuteronomy 12:21
Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
وَإنْ كَانَ المَكَانُ الَّذِي يَختَارُهُ إلَهُكُمْ لِيَضَعَ فِيهِ اسْمَهُ بَعِيدًا عَنْكُمْ، فَإنَّهُ يُمكِنُكُمْ أنْ تَذْبَحُوا مِنْ أبْقَارِكُمْ وَغَنَمِكُمُ الَّتِي أعْطَاهَا اللهُ لَكُمْ، كَمَا أمَرتُكُمْ، وَيُمكِنُكُمْ أنْ تَأْكُلُوا قَدْرَ مَا تُرِيدُونَ فِي مُدُنِكُمْ.
What Does This Mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy says that if the place where God's name is honored is too far away, you can still eat meat from your animals as God has commanded. Moses is speaking, and the key message is that God allows for practical considerations in following religious laws.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a favorite restaurant far away, but sometimes you can't go there. So, you can eat your favorite meal at home instead. That's like what this verse is saying about eating meat from your animals even if you can't go to a special place.
Historical Background
This verse was written by Moses around 1200 BC, as part of the law he gave to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. It reflects the practical realities of their nomadic lifestyle and the importance of following religious practices even when in different locations.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can be seen as a reminder to maintain your religious practices even when you can't be physically present at a place of worship. For instance, a family living far from a church might still have their own family devotions at home.
Topics
worshiplawsreligioncommunitypracticalityfaith
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'kill of thy herd and of thy flock' in Deuteronomy 12:21?
It means to slaughter animals from your own livestock for food when you can't travel to a designated place for sacrifice. This was a practical provision to ensure people could still eat meat.
How does this verse relate to modern religious practices?
It reminds us to adapt religious practices to our circumstances, such as holding home-based worship when attending a physical place of worship is not feasible.
Why did God allow this practice?
God allowed this to accommodate the practical needs of the Israelites, ensuring they could still follow their religious practices without undue hardship.
What are the implications of 'eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after'?
This phrase suggests that while there are rules about where to eat meat, individuals have some freedom to choose what they eat, reflecting a balance between religious law and personal preference.