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.

DEUTERONOMY 12:20KJV
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Deuteronomy 12:20 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 12:20 mean?

Deuteronomy 12:20 says that when God expands the land for Israel, as He promised, the people may eat meat whenever they desire it. The verse assures the Israelites that eating meat is allowed, not just for sacrifices, but also for personal enjoyment when their hearts long for it.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the promised land. The verse addresses a future time when their territory will grow and they may live farther from the central place of worship. It clarifies that eating meat is not restricted to religious occasions; it can be done freely, reflecting God’s care for their daily needs and desires.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 12:20

  • "enlarge" (רָחַב, rachav): This word means to make wide or expand. Here, it refers to God increasing Israel’s territory, highlighting the fulfillment of His promise and the practical changes that come with more land.
  • "border" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word means boundary or territory. The mention of a growing border shows that the instructions are for a time when the people are spread out and not always near the sanctuary.
  • "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word often means life, self, or inner desire. In this verse, it points to personal longing or appetite, emphasizing that God recognizes and permits individual desires, not just communal or ritual needs.
  • "lusteth after" (אָוָה, avah): This word means to long for or desire. It shows that the permission to eat meat is tied to genuine personal craving, not just necessity.

Why Deuteronomy 12:20 matters

  • Deuteronomy 12:20 clarifies that eating meat is not only for sacrificial purposes, but also for ordinary meals, correcting any idea that meat was only for worship.
  • The verse highlights God’s promise to expand Israel’s land, connecting daily life instructions to the larger story of God’s faithfulness and provision.
  • By focusing on personal desire ("soul longs for"), the verse shows that God cares about individual needs and pleasures, not just ritual obedience.

Where else these words appear

“after” Hebrew H185 · used in 7 verses

  • Deuteronomy 12:15 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.
  • Deuteronomy 18:6 And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose;
  • Jeremiah 2:24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

“enlarge” Hebrew H7337 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 26:22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
  • Psalms 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
  • Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

“longeth” Hebrew H183 · used in 26 verses

  • Numbers 11:4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
  • 1 Chronicles 11:17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!
  • Proverbs 21:26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.