Deuteronomy 12:20-22

Context

The Sanctity of Blood

12:20 When the Lord your God extends your borders as he said he would do and you say, “I want to eat meat just as I please,”¹ you may do so as you wish.² 12:21 If the place he³ chooses to locate his name is too far for you, you may slaughter any of your herd and flock he⁴ has given you just as I have stipulated; you may eat them in your villages⁵ just as you wish. 12:22 Like you eat the gazelle or ibex, so you may eat these; the ritually impure and pure alike may eat them.

[12:20] ¹tn Heb “for my soul desires to eat meat.”

[12:20] ²tn Heb “according to all the desire of your soul you may eat meat.”

[12:21] ³tn Heb “the Lord your God.” See note on “he” in 12:5.

[12:21] ⁴tn Heb “the Lord.” See note on “he” in 12:5.

[12:21] ⁵tn Heb “gates” (so KJV, NASB); NAB “in your own community.”