And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

DEUTERONOMY 12:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 12:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 12:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 12:6 instructs the Israelites to bring all their offerings—burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, special contributions, vows, freewill gifts, and the firstborn of their herds and flocks—to a specific place chosen by God. This verse emphasizes that worship and giving should happen at a central location, not wherever each person chooses.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He is explaining that, unlike their time in the wilderness, they must now bring their worship and gifts to one designated place. This centralization of worship was meant to keep the people united and focused on God’s instructions, rather than following their own preferences.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 12:6

  • עֹלוֹת (ʿolot, H5930): This word means "burnt offerings," which were sacrifices completely burned on the altar. The use of this term highlights the total dedication of these offerings to God.
  • זְבָחִים (zevakhim, H2077): This word means "sacrifices," often referring to offerings where part was burned and part was eaten. It points to both worship and communal fellowship.
  • מַעְשְׂרוֹת (maʿserot, H4643): This word means "tithes," or a tenth portion of produce or livestock. The tithe was a regular act of giving that supported the religious community.
  • תְּרוּמַת (terumah, H8641): This word means "heave offerings," which were special contributions lifted up as a gift to God. It marks out offerings given above and beyond regular requirements.
  • נְדָבוֹת (nedavot, H5071): This word means "freewill offerings," gifts given voluntarily, not out of obligation. It shows that worship included both required and voluntary giving.

Why Deuteronomy 12:6 matters

  • Deuteronomy 12:6 clarifies that worship was not left up to individual choice but was to be done in the way and place God appointed, countering the idea that private or scattered worship was acceptable.
  • The verse lists many types of offerings, showing that every aspect of Israelite worship—required and voluntary—was to be brought together, reinforcing unity and shared devotion.
  • This instruction sets the stage for the rest of Deuteronomy 12, where Moses explains why centralized worship is important for keeping Israel faithful to God and distinct from surrounding nations.

Where else these words appear

“firstlings” Hebrew H1062 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
  • Deuteronomy 14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.

“offerings” Hebrew H5071 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 35:29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
  • Numbers 29:39 These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.
  • Ezra 8:28 And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.

“tithes” Hebrew H4643 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
  • Deuteronomy 12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:
  • Nehemiah 10:38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.

“vows” Hebrew H5088 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
  • Numbers 30:5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
  • 2 Samuel 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.