Deuteronomy 12:20 Meaning and Explanation
“When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Once your territory expands and you desire meat, you may eat freely.
The Context of Deuteronomy 12:20
If territorial growth makes centralized worship impractical, meat eating elsewhere becomes permissible.
What Does Deuteronomy 12:20 Mean?
Future expansion of Israel's borders may make the journey to the chosen worship place impractical for every meal. In such circumstances, the desire for meat (thyself) is permitted. This shows God's law accommodating reality: as the nation grows, the centralized sacrifice system's strictness can yield to practical necessity.
The expansion itself is promised—a sign of God's blessing. The allowance for flexible meat eating reflects wisdom in applying absolute principles to changing circumstances. The law is not arbitrary but responsive to Israel's actual conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 12:20
What does Deuteronomy 12:20 mean?
Once your territory expands and you desire meat, you may eat freely.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 12:20?
If territorial growth makes centralized worship impractical, meat eating elsewhere becomes permissible.