But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.
DEUTERONOMY 16:6KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 16:6 mean?
Deuteronomy 16:6 instructs the Israelites to sacrifice the Passover lamb only at the specific place that God will choose, at sunset, marking the time they left Egypt. This verse emphasizes that the Passover should not be observed just anywhere, but only at the central location God designates for worship.
In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The instruction is part of a larger set of laws about how to properly celebrate the Passover festival. The verse ties the timing and location of the sacrifice directly to Israel’s history, reminding them of their deliverance from Egypt and reinforcing the importance of worshiping as God commands.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 16:6
- "place" (מָקוֹם, maqom): This word refers to a specific location, highlighting that God will choose one central site for worship, rather than allowing sacrifices at many local altars.
- "choose" (בָּחַר, bachar): This verb stresses that the location is not up to the people, but is a deliberate choice by God, underlining His authority over worship practices.
- "place" (שָׁכַן, shakan): This verb means "to dwell" or "to cause to dwell," pointing to God’s presence being established at the chosen site.
- "name" (שֵׁם, shem): Refers to God’s reputation or presence; placing His "name" there means it is the recognized center of His worship.
- "passover" (פֶּסַח, pesach): This is the specific sacrifice commemorating God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, central to their identity and worship.
Why Deuteronomy 16:6 matters
- This verse clarifies that Passover sacrifices were not to be offered at home or at local shrines, but only at the one place God chose, which later became Jerusalem; this centralized worship and helped unify Israel’s religious life.
- The timing "at even, at the going down of the sun" connects the ritual directly to the historical moment of the Exodus, grounding the festival in a specific memory.
- By tying the Passover to God’s chosen place and timing, the verse emphasizes obedience to God’s instructions and the importance of remembering His acts of salvation in a communal, prescribed way.