And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

DEUTERONOMY 14:24KJV
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Deuteronomy 14:24 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 14:24 mean?

Deuteronomy 14:24 explains that if the place God chooses for worship is too far away for a person to carry their offerings, due to the distance or the abundance of what God has blessed them with, there is an allowance for a different approach. This verse is part of instructions about bringing tithes and offerings to the central place God will choose.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, preparing them for life in the Promised Land. The verse addresses a practical concern: if someone lives far from the place of worship and cannot physically transport their tithe or offerings, God provides a solution. This shows that the law takes into account real-life difficulties and offers flexibility within the command to honor God with their blessings.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 14:24

  • "way" (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh): This word means "road" or "journey." It highlights the physical journey required to reach the worship site, emphasizing the practical challenge of distance.
  • "long" (רַב, rav): This word means "great" or "many," and here it describes the journey as being "too long," stressing the burden of distance.
  • "carry" (נָשָׂא, nasa’): This word means "to lift" or "to bear." The verse recognizes that the physical act of transporting offerings could be too difficult, especially if God has blessed someone with much.
  • "place" (מָקוֹם, maqom): Refers to the specific location God will choose for His name, pointing to the centralization of worship in Israel's future.

Why Deuteronomy 14:24 matters

  • Deuteronomy 14:24 clarifies that God's laws were not meant to be a hardship; they include practical allowances for real-life situations like distance and abundance.
  • The verse shows the importance of centralized worship in Israel, but also that God values the intent and effort of His people, not just the ritual itself.
  • This instruction sets up the next verses, which explain how to convert offerings into money for easier transport, showing a thoughtful and compassionate approach to worship requirements.

Where else these words appear

“that” Hebrew H3588 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
  • Joshua 2:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

“far” Hebrew H7368 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • Psalms 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
  • Isaiah 6:12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.