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 12:20KJVWhat 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.