If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.
If the place where the LORD your God has chosen to put his name is too far from you, then you may kill animals from your herds and flocks that the LORD has given you, just as I have instructed you, and you may eat whatever you desire within your own towns.
God is giving permission for people to eat meat in their own towns when they live too far from the central place of worship to bring their animals there for sacrifice.
📚 Historical Context
Moses was preparing the Israelites for life in the Promised Land, where they would no longer be wandering in the wilderness with the tabernacle in their midst. Once settled, many would live far from the central sanctuary where sacrifices were made. This law allowed people to eat meat locally while maintaining proper worship practices at the designated holy place.
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