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 16:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 16:6 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“passover” Hebrew H6453 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.
  • Numbers 28:16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one

“place” Hebrew H7931 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:25 For David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:
  • Proverbs 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

“sacrifice” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.

“sun” Hebrew H8121 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
  • 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.