Deutéronome - Caput 12

Deutéronome 12.1 haec sunt praecepta atque iudicia quae facere debetis in terra quam Dominus Deus patrum tuorum daturus est tibi ut possideas eam cunctis diebus quibus super humum gradieris Deutéronome 12.2 subvertite omnia loca in quibus coluerunt gentes quas possessuri estis deos suos super montes excelsos et colles et subter omne lignum frondosum Deutéronome 12.3 dissipate aras earum et confringite statuas lucos igne conburite et idola comminuite disperdite nomina eorum de locis illis Deutéronome 12.4 non facietis ita Domino Deo vestro Deutéronome 12.5 sed ad locum quem elegerit Dominus Deus vester de cunctis tribubus vestris ut ponat nomen suum ibi et habitet in eo venietis Deutéronome 12.6 et offeretis in illo loco holocausta et victimas vestras decimas et primitias manuum vestrarum et vota atque donaria primogenita boum et ovium Deutéronome 12.7 et comedetis ibi in conspectu Domini Dei vestri ac laetabimini in cunctis ad quae miseritis manum vos et domus vestrae in quibus benedixerit vobis Dominus Deus vester Deutéronome 12.8 non facietis ibi quae nos hic facimus hodie singuli quod sibi rectum videtur Deutéronome 12.9 neque enim usque in praesens tempus venistis ad requiem et possessionem quam Dominus Deus daturus est vobis Deutéronome 12.10 transibitis Iordanem et habitabitis in terram quam Dominus Deus vester daturus est vobis ut requiescatis a cunctis hostibus per circuitum et absque ullo timore habitetis Deutéronome 12.11 in loco quem elegerit Dominus Deus vester ut sit nomen eius in eo illuc omnia quae praecipio conferetis holocausta et hostias ac decimas et primitias manuum vestrarum et quicquid praecipuum est in muneribus quae vovistis Domino Deutéronome 12.12 ibi epulabimini coram Domino Deo vestro vos filii ac filiae vestrae famuli et famulae atque Levites qui in vestris urbibus commorantur neque enim habet aliam partem et possessionem inter vos Deutéronome 12.13 cave ne offeras holocausta tua in omni loco quem videris Deutéronome 12.14 sed in eo quem elegerit Dominus in una tribuum tuarum offeres hostias et facies quaecumque praecipio tibi Deutéronome 12.15 sin autem comedere volueris et te esus carnium delectarit occide et comede iuxta benedictionem Domini Dei tui quam dedit tibi in urbibus tuis sive inmundum fuerit hoc est maculatum et debile sive mundum hoc est integrum et sine macula quod offerri licet sicut capream et cervum comedes Deutéronome 12.16 absque esu dumtaxat sanguinis quod super terram quasi aquam effundes Deutéronome 12.17 non poteris comedere in oppidis tuis decimam frumenti et vini et olei tui primogenita armentorum et pecorum et omnia quae voveris et sponte offerre volueris et primitias manuum tuarum Deutéronome 12.18 sed coram Domino Deo tuo comedes ea in loco quem elegerit Dominus Deus tuus tu et filius tuus ac filia servus et famula atque Levites qui manet in urbibus tuis et laetaberis et reficieris coram Domino Deo tuo in cunctis ad quae extenderis manum tuam Deutéronome 12.19 cave ne derelinquas Leviten omni tempore quo versaris in terra Deutéronome 12.20 quando dilataverit Dominus Deus tuus terminos tuos sicut locutus est tibi et volueris vesci carnibus quas desiderat anima tua Deutéronome 12.21 locus autem quem elegerit Dominus Deus tuus ut sit nomen eius ibi si procul fuerit occides de armentis et pecoribus quae habueris sicut praecepi tibi et comedes in oppidis tuis ut tibi placet Deutéronome 12.22 sicut comeditur caprea et cervus ita vesceris eis et mundus et inmundus in commune vescentur Deutéronome 12.23 hoc solum cave ne sanguinem comedas sanguis enim eorum pro anima est et idcirco non debes animam comedere cum carnibus Deutéronome 12.24 sed super terram fundes quasi aquam Deutéronome 12.25 ut sit tibi bene et filiis tuis post te cum feceris quod placet in conspectu Domini Deutéronome 12.26 quae autem sanctificaveris et voveris Domino tolles et venies ad locum quem elegerit Dominus Deutéronome 12.27 et offeres oblationes tuas carnem et sanguinem super altare Domini Dei tui sanguinem hostiarum fundes in altari carnibus autem ipse vesceris Deutéronome 12.28 observa et audi omnia quae ego praecipio tibi ut bene sit tibi et filiis tuis post te in sempiternum cum feceris quod bonum est et placitum in conspectu Domini Dei tui Deutéronome 12.29 quando disperderit Dominus Deus tuus ante faciem tuam gentes ad quas ingredieris possidendas et possederis eas atque habitaveris in terra earum Deutéronome 12.30 cave ne imiteris eas postquam te fuerint introeunte subversae et requiras caerimonias earum dicens sicut coluerunt gentes istae deos suos ita et ego colam Deutéronome 12.31 non facies similiter Domino Deo tuo omnes enim abominationes quas aversatur Dominus fecerunt diis suis offerentes filios et filias et conburentes igne

Deutéronome : Caput 12

The Centralization of Worship according to Deuteronomy 12

Chapter 12 of the book of Deuteronomy clearly establishes God's chosen place of worship. This centralization of worship is of crucial importance for the spiritual life of Israel. Indeed, this fundamental text commands the destruction of pagan altars and defines the place sanctified by God for worship. It also regulates offerings and festivals, thus emphasizing the importance of purity of worship and joy in God's presence.

Deuteronomy 12 warns against idolatrous practices and thus shapes the sectarian and communal life of Israel. With this in mind, let's examine five biblical passages that relate to the key themes of this formative chapter.

John 4:20-24

"Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where people must worship... But the time is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. The Father is seeking such worshipers."

This passage reflects on the theme of the place of worship, which is central to Deuteronomy 12. Jesus emphasizes that true worship transcends physical locations, focusing on the attitude of the heart before God.

Acts 15:20

"Instead, we should write to them to abstain from food contaminated by idols, sexual immorality, the flesh of strangled animals, and blood."

This apostolic decision reflects certain dietary laws mentioned in Deuteronomy 12:16, 23, recalling the importance of remaining faithful to divine precepts in the Christian life.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21

"No; I say that what the Gentiles sacrifice is offered to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to commune with demons. You cannot drink both the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; they cannot partake of the Lord's table and the table of demons."

In this letter, Paul alludes to the prohibitions of Deuteronomy 12 regarding pagan worship, urging believers to remain firm in their commitment to God.

Hebrews 13:10

"We have an altar on which those who serve in the tabernacle are not permitted to eat."

This passage refers to the sacrificial system, which is regulated in Deuteronomy 12, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice and proper worship in the Christian faith.

Revelation 22:18-19

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to them the plagues described in this book. If anyone takes away one word from this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."

This warning resonates with the admonition of Deuteronomy 12:32 speaks against adding to or subtracting from God's law, recalling the importance of keeping God's word intact.

In conclusion, Deuteronomy 12 calls us to reflect on how we worship and the centrality of God in our worship. May our worship always be in spirit and in truth, in accordance with His revealed will.