Deuteronomy 12:4-6
What is written? (ESV)
You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way. But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.
What does it say?
You will not worship God in that way. Instead, God will choose a place for you to worship Him – a place where He will also be. There you will bring their offerings, sacrifices, tithes, etc.
What is its immediate context?
Moses giving instruction to the people before entering the Promised Land. He tells them they will not worship God in the way that the surrounding nations worship (e.g. idols), but rather in a place and way appointed by God.
How Deuteronomy 12:4-6 is applied across Bible answers
Does it matter where we worship God?
God laid out specific instructions for where to worship Him under the Mosaic law. First, in the tabernacle, which was at the center of the camp during their wandering. Later, in the temple in Jerusalem constructed by Solomon.
