Deuteronomy 15:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The firstborn animal is consumed in a festival meal before God, each year.
The Context of Deuteronomy 15:20
The firstborn animals are consumed in a festival meal.
What Does Deuteronomy 15:20 Mean?
Rather than being wholly burned as an offering, the firstborn was to be eaten in a festival setting before God. This was a yearly practice at the place God would designate—later Jerusalem. The meal united the household and God in a shared feast.
Eating before God made the meal an act of worship and thanksgiving. The firstborn's flesh was not wasted but used to nourish the family in God's presence. This balanced the dedication: the animal was holy, yet the household benefited.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 15:20
What does Deuteronomy 15:20 mean?
The firstborn animal is consumed in a festival meal before God, each year.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 15:20?
The firstborn animals are consumed in a festival meal.