Deuteronomy 16:2
You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name.
You are to offer
The Hebrew root for "offer" is "זָבַח" (zabach), which means to sacrifice or slaughter. This word emphasizes the act of giving something valuable to God, a practice deeply rooted in the ancient Israelite tradition. Offering a sacrifice was not merely a ritual but a profound act of worship and obedience, symbolizing the surrender of one's will to God. It reflects the heart's intention to honor God with the best of what one has.

the Passover sacrifice
The term "Passover" comes from the Hebrew "פֶּסַח" (Pesach), which refers to the festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. The Passover sacrifice is central to Jewish identity and faith, symbolizing God's protection and salvation. Historically, this sacrifice involved the slaughtering of a lamb, which prefigures Christ as the Lamb of God in Christian theology, highlighting themes of redemption and divine deliverance.

to the LORD your God
The phrase "to the LORD your God" underscores the personal relationship between the Israelites and Yahweh. The use of "your God" signifies a covenant relationship, reminding the Israelites of their unique identity as God's chosen people. It is a call to exclusive worship and devotion, recognizing Yahweh as the one true God who delivered them from bondage.

from the herd or flock
This phrase indicates the source of the sacrificial animal, either cattle or sheep/goats. The flexibility in the choice of animal reflects God's provision and accessibility, allowing all Israelites, regardless of economic status, to participate in the Passover. It also signifies the importance of offering something of value, as both herds and flocks were vital to the agrarian economy and livelihood of the people.

at the place the LORD will choose
This phrase points to the centralization of worship, which was a significant development in Israelite religion. The "place the LORD will choose" refers to the eventual establishment of the temple in Jerusalem. This centralization was intended to unify the worship practices of the Israelites and prevent idolatry, emphasizing the importance of worshiping God according to His instructions.

as a dwelling for His Name
The concept of a "dwelling for His Name" is profound, as it signifies God's presence among His people. In Hebrew, "שֵׁם" (shem) means "name," but it also conveys the essence and character of God. The dwelling place, ultimately the temple, was not just a physical location but a symbol of God's covenantal presence and His desire to be in relationship with His people. It foreshadows the New Testament understanding of believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit, where God's presence resides.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who commands the observance of the Passover.

2. The Israelites
The people of God who are instructed to celebrate the Passover.

3. Passover
A significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt.

4. The Place the LORD Will Choose
Refers to the future central place of worship, which would later be identified as Jerusalem.

5. The Herd or the Flock
The animals from which the Passover sacrifice is to be selected.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites were instructed to follow God's specific commands regarding the Passover. This teaches us the importance of obedience in our own spiritual practices.

Centrality of Worship
The command to offer the sacrifice at a specific place underscores the importance of communal worship and gathering in a designated place to honor God.

Remembrance and Thanksgiving
The Passover serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness. We are called to remember and give thanks for God's work in our lives.

Christ as Our Passover Lamb
The Passover sacrifice foreshadows Christ's sacrifice. As Christians, we recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of the Passover, offering us deliverance from sin.

Holiness and Dedication
The selection of the sacrifice from the herd or flock signifies the need for purity and dedication in our offerings to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command to offer the Passover sacrifice at a specific place reflect the importance of communal worship in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we practice obedience to God's commands in our daily spiritual walk, similar to the Israelites' observance of the Passover?

3. How does the Passover serve as a reminder of God's deliverance in your own life, and how can you incorporate this remembrance into your worship?

4. What parallels can you draw between the Passover lamb and Jesus as the Lamb of God, and how does this understanding impact your faith?

5. How can we ensure that our offerings to God, whether time, resources, or talents, are given with purity and dedication?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
Provides the original instructions for the Passover, highlighting its significance as a memorial of deliverance.

Leviticus 23
Lists the appointed feasts of the LORD, including the Passover, emphasizing its role in the religious calendar.

1 Kings 8
Describes the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem, the place chosen by God for His Name to dwell.

John 1
Identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, connecting the Passover sacrifice to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
Conditions of WorshipJ. Parker, D. D.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Jewish Commemorative FeastsE. White.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Passover a Memorial and a ProphecyD. Davies Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Passover, a Memorial of DeliveranceR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Yearly FestivalsW. Roberts, M. A.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Yearly FestivalsWalter Roberts, M. A.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Unleavened BreadS. A. Blackwood.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The PassoverJ. Orr Deuteronomy 16:1-9
People
Levites, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Animal, Cause, Choose, Chooses, Dwell, Dwelling, Establish, Flock, Hast, Herd, Marked, Offer, Offering, Passover, Passover-offering, Resting-place, Sacrifice, Sacrificed, Tabernacle
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 16:2

     4605   animals, religious role
     6622   choice

Deuteronomy 16:1-2

     8315   orthodoxy, in OT

Deuteronomy 16:1-3

     5312   feasting
     8764   forgetting God

Deuteronomy 16:1-4

     4530   unleavened bread

Deuteronomy 16:1-6

     4945   history

Deuteronomy 16:1-8

     4438   eating
     7394   memorial
     8467   reminders

Library
The Age of the Apostles (Ad 33-100)
The beginning of the Christian Church is reckoned from the great day on which the Holy Ghost came down, according as our Lord had promised to His Apostles. At that time, "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven," were gathered together at Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks), which was one of the three holy seasons at which God required His people to appear before Him in the place which He had chosen (Deuteronomy xvi. 16). Many of these devout men there converted
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Whether Six Daughters are Fittingly Assigned to Gluttony?
Objection 1: It would seem that six daughters are unfittingly assigned to gluttony, to wit, "unseemly joy, scurrility, uncleanness, loquaciousness, and dullness of mind as regards the understanding." For unseemly joy results from every sin, according to Prov. 2:14, "Who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in most wicked things." Likewise dullness of mind is associated with every sin, according to Prov. 14:22, "They err that work evil." Therefore they are unfittingly reckoned to be daughters
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Pride Should be Reckoned a Capital vice?
Objection 1: It would seem that pride should be reckoned a capital vice, since Isidore [*Comment. in Deut. xvi] and Cassian [*De Inst. Caenob. v, 1: Collat. v, 2] number pride among the capital vices. Objection 2: Further, pride is apparently the same as vainglory, since both covet excellence. Now vainglory is reckoned a capital vice. Therefore pride also should be reckoned a capital vice. Objection 3: Further, Augustine says (De Virginit. xxxi) that "pride begets envy, nor is it ever without this
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Passing and the Permanent
'For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.'--ISAIAH liv, 10.-- There is something of music in the very sound of these words. The stately march of the grand English translation lends itself with wonderful beauty to the melody of Isaiah's words. But the thought that lies below them, sweeping as it does through the whole creation, and parting all things
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place: but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king,
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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