Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And there rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites from your towns who have no allotment or inheritance of their own. New Living Translation “You must celebrate there in the presence of the LORD your God with your sons and daughters and all your servants. And remember to include the Levites who live in your towns, for they will receive no allotment of land among you. English Standard Version And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male servants and your female servants, and the Levite that is within your towns, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. Berean Standard Bible And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. Berean Literal Bible And you⁺ shall rejoice before the face of YHWH your⁺ God—you⁺, and your⁺ sons, and your⁺ daughters, and your⁺ menservants, and your⁺ maidservants, and the Levite who is within your⁺ gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you⁺. King James Bible And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. New King James Version And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion nor inheritance with you. New American Standard Bible And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. NASB 1995 “And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. NASB 1977 “And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. Legacy Standard Bible And you shall be glad before Yahweh your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. Amplified Bible And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and your daughters, and your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your [city] gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. Berean Annotated Bible And you⁺ shall rejoice before the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem}—you⁺, your⁺ sons and daughters, your⁺ menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your⁺ gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you⁺. Christian Standard Bible You will rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, and the Levite who is within your city gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. Holman Christian Standard Bible You will rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. American Standard Version And ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, forasmuch as he hath no portion nor inheritance with you. English Revised Version and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates, forasmuch as he hath no portion nor inheritance with you. GOD'S WORD® Translation Enjoy yourselves in the presence of the LORD your God along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, and the Levites. (The Levites live in your cities because they have no land of their own as you have.) Good News Translation Be joyful there in his presence, together with your children, your servants, and the Levites who live in your towns; remember that the Levites will have no land of their own. International Standard Version "Rejoice in the presence of the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the descendant of Levi who is in your city—for there is no territorial allotment for him as you have. NET Bible You shall rejoice in the presence of the LORD your God, along with your sons, daughters, male and female servants, and the Levites in your villages (since they have no allotment or inheritance with you). New Heart English Bible You shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you, and your sons, and your daughters, and your male servants, and your female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you. Webster's Bible Translation And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. World English Bible You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God—you, and your sons, your daughters, your male servants, your female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd you have rejoiced before your God YHWH, you, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your handmaids, and the Levite who [is] within your gates, for he has no part and inheritance with you. Berean Literal Bible And you⁺ shall rejoice before the face of YHWH your⁺ God—you⁺, and your⁺ sons, and your⁺ daughters, and your⁺ menservants, and your⁺ maidservants, and the Levite who is within your⁺ gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you⁺. Young's Literal Translation and ye have rejoiced before Jehovah your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your handmaids, and the Levite who is within your gates, for he hath no part and inheritance with you. Smith's Literal Translation And rejoice ye before Jehovah your God, ye, and your sons and your daughters, and your servants, and your maids, and the Levite who is in your gates; for not to him a portion and inheritance with you. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThere shall you feast before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your menservants and maid- servants, and the Levite that dwelleth in your cities. For he hath no other part and possession among you. Catholic Public Domain Version In that place, you shall feast before the Lord your God: you, and your sons and daughters, your men and women servants, as well as the Levite who dwells in your cities. For he has no other portion or possession among you. New American Bible You shall rejoice in the presence of the LORD, your God, with your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, as well as with the Levite within your gates, who has no hereditary portion with you. New Revised Standard Version And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you together with your sons and your daughters, your male and female slaves, and the Levites who reside in your towns (since they have no allotment or inheritance with you). Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and your daughters and your men-servants and your maidservants and the Levites that are living within your towns; because they have no portion nor inheritance with you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And rejoice before LORD JEHOVAH your God, you and your sons and your daughters and your Servants and your Maids and the Levites who are in your cities, because they have no inheritance or a division with you. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, forasmuch as he hath no portion nor inheritance with you. Brenton Septuagint Translation And ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God, ye and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is at your gates; because he has no portion or inheritance with you. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context One Place for Worship…11then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD. 12And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God— you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. 13Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see;… Cross References And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God— Deuteronomy 16:11 and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. Deuteronomy 16:14 And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. 1 Chronicles 29:22 That day they ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD. Then, for a second time, they designated David’s son Solomon as king, anointing him before the LORD as ruler, and Zadok as the priest. you, your sons and daughters, Deuteronomy 31:12-13 Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law. / Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Joshua 8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them. 2 Chronicles 20:13 Meanwhile all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, were standing before the LORD. your menservants and maidservants, Exodus 20:10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. Deuteronomy 5:14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. Leviticus 25:44-46 Your menservants and maidservants shall come from the nations around you, from whom you may purchase them. / You may also purchase them from the foreigners residing among you or their clans living among you who are born in your land. These may become your property. / You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life. But as for your brothers, the Israelites, no man may rule harshly over his brother. and the Levite within your gates, Deuteronomy 14:27 And do not neglect the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. Deuteronomy 14:29 Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 26:12 When you have finished laying aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you are to give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat and be filled within your gates. since he has no portion or inheritance among you. Numbers 18:20 Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. Numbers 18:24 For I have given to the Levites as their inheritance the tithe that the Israelites present to the LORD as a contribution. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.” Deuteronomy 10:9 That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him. Acts 2:46 With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, Treasury of Scripture And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; for as much as he has no part nor inheritance with you. And ye Deuteronomy 12:7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. Deuteronomy 14:26,27 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, … 1 Kings 8:66 On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people. the Levite Deuteronomy 12:19 Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth. Deuteronomy 14:27,29 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee… Deuteronomy 16:11,14 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there… forasmuch Deuteronomy 10:9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him. Deuteronomy 18:1,2 The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance… Numbers 18:20,23,24,26 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel… Jump to Previous Allotment Bondmen Daughters Heritage House Inheritance Levite Maidservants Maid-Servants Male Menservants Men-Servants Part Portion Rejoice Servants Towns Within Women-Servants YouJump to Next Allotment Bondmen Daughters Heritage House Inheritance Levite Maidservants Maid-Servants Male Menservants Men-Servants Part Portion Rejoice Servants Towns Within Women-Servants YouDeuteronomy 12 1. Monuments of idolatry to be destroyed4. The place of God's service to be kept 15. Blood is forbidden 17. Holy things must be eaten in the holy place 19. The Levite is not to be forsaken 20. Blood is again forbidden 26. and holy things must be eaten in the holy place 29. Idolatry is not to be enquired after And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God— This phrase emphasizes the importance of worship and celebration in the presence of God. In the context of Deuteronomy, the Israelites are instructed to worship at the place God chooses, which later becomes Jerusalem. Rejoicing before the LORD signifies a communal and joyful acknowledgment of God's blessings and provision. This command to rejoice is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where worship is not just a duty but a celebration of His faithfulness. you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe primary audience of Deuteronomy, the chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to live in the Promised Land. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who commands worship and obedience. 3. Levites Members of the tribe of Levi, who were set apart for religious duties and had no land inheritance. 4. Sons and Daughters Represents the family unit, emphasizing the inclusion of all family members in worship. 5. Menservants and Maidservants Servants within the household, indicating that worship and joy before the Lord are for everyone, regardless of social status. Teaching Points Joy in WorshipWorship is not just a duty but a source of joy. God desires His people to rejoice in His presence, reflecting a heart of gratitude and celebration. Inclusive Worship Worship is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status. This inclusivity reflects God's heart for all people to come before Him in unity. Provision for the Levites The Levites' lack of inheritance reminds us of the church's responsibility to support those who serve in ministry, ensuring they can focus on their calling. Community and Family Worship is a communal activity that strengthens family and community bonds. Encouraging family worship can lead to stronger spiritual foundations. Obedience and Celebration Obedience to God's commands leads to true celebration. When we align our lives with His will, we experience the fullness of joy He intends for us. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 12:12?2. How does Deuteronomy 12:12 encourage communal worship and celebration before the Lord? 3. What role does joy play in worship according to Deuteronomy 12:12? 4. How can Deuteronomy 12:12 guide our worship practices today? 5. How does Deuteronomy 12:12 connect with New Testament teachings on worship? 6. How can we include everyone in worship as instructed in Deuteronomy 12:12? 7. What does Deuteronomy 12:12 reveal about communal worship in ancient Israelite society? 8. How does Deuteronomy 12:12 emphasize the importance of joy in worship? 9. Why are Levites specifically mentioned in Deuteronomy 12:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 12? 11. Is God the Levites' inheritance? 12. Ezekiel 44:28 indicates priests have no inheritance apart from the Lord--how does this align with land allotment practices known from other biblical or historical sources? 13. How does Deuteronomy 10:8's statement that Levi had no land inheritance align with inherited lands described in other biblical texts? 14. In Joshua 14:3-4, how does the Levites' lack of a territorial inheritance align with other biblical passages that mention Levitical cities and lands? What Does Deuteronomy 12:12 Mean Rejoice before the LORD your God• The command begins with joy, not duty. Worship is meant to be celebratory: “Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs” (Psalm 100:2). • Joy is expressed “before the LORD,” highlighting His nearness at the chosen place of worship (Deuteronomy 12:5-7). • True rejoicing springs from obedience. In Deuteronomy 12, the people are abandoning pagan altars and embracing God’s appointed way, echoing Jesus’ words that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). You, your sons and daughters • Every family member is invited. Faith is never an adults-only affair (Deuteronomy 6:7). • Parents model joyful obedience so children grow up seeing that walking with God is delightful, not burdensome (1 John 5:3). • Joshua’s resolve captures the spirit: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). Your menservants and maidservants • God’s joy is to spill over into the workplace and the most ordinary relationships. Even servants share in the feast, just as the Sabbath command includes them (Exodus 20:10). • This foreshadows the gospel’s leveling effect: “There is neither slave nor free… for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). • Leaders who rejoice in the Lord will treat those under their authority with generosity (Colossians 4:1). And the Levite within your gates • The Levite represents full-time ministry workers who depend on the people’s faithfulness (Numbers 18:21). • Inviting him to the table affirms shared fellowship and prevents spiritual leaders from becoming outsiders. • Similar care appears in Acts 4:34-35, where early believers share possessions so “there were no needy among them.” Since he has no portion or inheritance among you • Unlike the other tribes, Levites receive no land allotment; “I am your portion and your inheritance” (Numbers 18:20). • God builds dependence into the system to bind His people together in mutual blessing (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). • Supporting those who minister remains a New-Testament pattern: “The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). summary Deuteronomy 12:12 calls God’s people to a shared celebration that spans generations, social standings, and vocational roles. Joyful worship is communal, inclusive, and generous, acknowledging God’s provision and caring for those who serve Him full-time. The verse models a life where obedience produces gladness, families and workplaces echo that joy, and spiritual leaders are honored—painting a timeless picture of God-centered community. Verse 12. - Of their offerings they should make a festive meal for themselves and their household; and of this the Levite who might happen at the time to be resident among them was to partake. Rejoice before the Lord. This phrase occurs frequently in this book (Deuteronomy 14:26; Deuteronomy 16:11, 14; Deuteronomy 26:11; Deuteronomy 27:7); elsewhere it appears only once - Leviticus 23:40, where it is used with reference to the Feast of Tabernacles, Moses now enjoins this festivity to be observed in connection with all the sacrificial meals. The Levite that is within your gates. The Levites had no share in the land as the property of their tribe; but they had towns allotted to them among the different tribes (Numbers 35.), so that in this way they were dispersed through the nation. Hence, perhaps, they are described as "within the gates" of the rest of the people. Or, as the Levites seem to have itinerated in the discharge of various offices among the people, the phrase may designate them as on this account occasionally resident among others in their community; just as "the stranger that is within thy gates" means the person of some other nation who for the time being was resident in any of the towns of Israel.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And you shall rejoiceוּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם (ū·śə·maḥ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome before לִפְנֵי֮ (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God— אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒ (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative you, אַתֶּ֗ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you your sons וּבְנֵיכֶם֙ (ū·ḇə·nê·ḵem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 1121: A son and daughters, וּבְנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם (ū·ḇə·nō·ṯê·ḵem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 1323: A daughter and your menservants וְעַבְדֵיכֶ֖ם (wə·‘aḇ·ḏê·ḵem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 5650: Slave, servant and maidservants, וְאַמְהֹתֵיכֶ֑ם (wə·’am·hō·ṯê·ḵem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave and the Levite וְהַלֵּוִי֙ (wə·hal·lê·wî) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi within your gates, בְּשַֽׁעֲרֵיכֶ֔ם (bə·ša·‘ă·rê·ḵem) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate since כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction he has no אֵ֥ין (’ên) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle portion חֵ֥לֶק (ḥê·leq) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2506: Portion, tract, territory or inheritance וְנַחֲלָ֖ה (wə·na·ḥă·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion among you. אִתְּכֶֽם׃ (’it·tə·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among Links Deuteronomy 12:12 NIVDeuteronomy 12:12 NLT Deuteronomy 12:12 ESV Deuteronomy 12:12 NASB Deuteronomy 12:12 KJV Deuteronomy 12:12 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 12:12 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 12:12 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 12:12 French Bible Deuteronomy 12:12 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 12:12 You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God (Deut. De Du) |
    |