Deuteronomy 12:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →You may eat meat anywhere once you settle, regardless of clean or unclean status.
The Context of Deuteronomy 12:15
Ordinary meat eating differs from sacrificial offerings and may occur anywhere.
What Does Deuteronomy 12:15 Mean?
A significant allowance: ordinary meat consumption is not restricted to the chosen worship place. You can hunt and kill game animals in any of your town gates (local settlements) according to appetite and God's provision. Both clean and unclean animals are permissible for eating (not sacrifice).
This provision permits flexibility in daily life while maintaining centralized sacrifice. Not all meat eating is worship; hunting game for food is a separate practice. The unclean/clean distinction for eating (not sacrifice) shows Moses accommodating practical necessity with spiritual wisdom.
Deuteronomy 12:15 in the Original Language
shaar (שַׁעַר), 'gates' — the entrances to local settlements; used here to mean the towns and villages themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 12:15
What does Deuteronomy 12:15 mean?
You may eat meat anywhere once you settle, regardless of clean or unclean status.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 12:15?
Ordinary meat eating differs from sacrificial offerings and may occur anywhere.