Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings
This phrase emphasizes the importance of obedience and reverence in worship. In the context of ancient Israel, burnt offerings were a central part of worship and atonement for sin. The Israelites were instructed to follow specific guidelines for sacrifices, which were established to maintain purity and holiness. This command reflects the broader biblical principle that worship must be conducted according to God's instructions, not human preferences. The sacrificial system foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 10:10).

in just any place you see;
This part of the verse underscores the necessity of a designated place for worship, which was initially the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem. The centralization of worship was intended to prevent idolatry and syncretism, which were prevalent in the surrounding cultures. By restricting sacrifices to a specific location, God ensured that the Israelites would not adopt pagan practices. This command also points to the future significance of Jerusalem as the spiritual center, where Jesus would ultimately fulfill the law and the prophets. The emphasis on a specific place for worship highlights the importance of unity and community in the faith journey.

1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving instructions on how to worship properly as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. Burnt Offerings
Sacrifices made to God, symbolizing atonement and dedication, which were to be offered in specific, God-ordained locations.

5. Tabernacle/Temple
The designated place for worship and sacrifices, representing God's presence among His people.Centralized Worship
God desires order and unity in worship, which is why He established a specific place for sacrifices. This teaches us the importance of gathering together in designated places for corporate worship today.

Obedience to God's Instructions
The command to offer sacrifices only in the designated place underscores the importance of obedience to God's instructions. We are called to follow God's Word carefully in our lives.

Holiness and Reverence
The specific instructions for sacrifices remind us of God's holiness and the reverence we must have in approaching Him. Our worship should reflect a heart of reverence and awe.

Spiritual Sacrifices
In the New Covenant, our sacrifices are spiritual, such as prayer, praise, and acts of service. We should offer these with the same care and dedication as the Israelites offered their burnt offerings.(13, 14) Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: But in the place which the Lord shall choose.--An attempt is made by some modern writers to establish a contradiction between this precept and the one in Exodus 20:24 : "In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." But they are not really contradictory. The choice of Jehovah makes the place of acceptance. He need not always choose the same spot-Either this law in Deuteronomy was written by Moses or it was not. If it was, it must be taken in the same sense as Exodus 20:24. If it was the work of later times, the writer must have known perfectly that Jehovah had varied His choice from time to time, and therefore the injunction must still have the same sense. Rashi remarks upon the words "Take heed that thou offer not . . . in every place that thou seest"--i.e. which comes into thy mind--"but thou must offer at the command of a prophet, as, for instance, Elijah on Mount Carmel." It seems clear that the general principle inculcated here is the same with that of Exodus 20 and of Leviticus 17. The choice of Jehovah makes the place of worship. Details may safely be left to the direction of the authorised Divine representatives at any given time. If the Jews themselves saw no difficulty or discrepancy in these Scriptures, is it any proof of wisdom for us to make difficulties? Do we not rather prove the imperfection of our own understanding?

Verses 13-16. - They were to beware of offering sacrifice in any place that might seem to them best; their offerings were to be presented only in that place which God should choose. But this did not imply that they were not to kill and eat in their own abodes whatever they desired for food, according to the blessing of Jehovah their God. Only they were to abstain from eating of blood (cf. Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 7:26); that they were to pour on the earth as if it were water. Burnt offering; this is named instar omnium, as the principal offering. Whatsoever thy soul lusteth after. To "lust," in old English, means simply to will, choose, desire; it is the same word as "list," or, as it is sometimes spelt, "lest," and does not, as now, imply anything evil. As of the roebuck, and as of the hart; probably the gazelle and fallow deer. As these were animals that could not be offered in sacrifice, the distinction between clean and unclean, on the part of the eaters, did not come into consideration.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Be careful
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר (hiš·šā·mer)
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

not
פֶּֽן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

to offer
תַּעֲלֶ֖ה (ta·‘ă·leh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

your burnt offerings
עֹלֹתֶ֑יךָ (‘ō·lō·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

in just any
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

place
מָק֖וֹם (mā·qō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

you see;
תִּרְאֶֽה׃ (tir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 12:13 Take heed to yourself that you don't (Deut. De Du)