Deuteronomy 12:15-19

Regulations for Profane Slaughter

12:15 On the other hand, you may slaughter and eat meat as you please when the Lord your God blesses you ¹  in all your villages. ²  Both the ritually pure and impure may eat it, whether it is a gazelle or an ibex. 12:16 However, you must not eat blood – pour it out on the ground like water. 12:17 You will not be allowed to eat in your villages your tithe of grain, new wine, olive oil, the firstborn of your herd and flock, any votive offerings you have vowed, or your freewill and personal offerings. 12:18 Only in the presence of the Lord your God may you eat these, in the place he ³  chooses. This applies to you, your son, your daughter, your male and female servants, and the Levites ⁴  in your villages. In that place you will rejoice before the Lord your God in all the output of your labor. ⁵  12:19 Be careful not to overlook the Levites as long as you live in the land.

[12:15]  ¹ tn Heb “only in all the desire of your soul you may sacrifice and eat flesh according to the blessing of the Lord your God which he has given to you.”

[12:15]  ² tn Heb “gates” (so KJV, NASB; likewise in vv. 17, 18).

[12:18]  ³ tn Heb “the Lord your God.” See note on “he” in 12:5.

[12:18]  ⁴ tn See note at Deut 12:12.

[12:18]  ⁵ tn Heb “in all the sending forth of your hands.”