Deuteronomy 23:12

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

You must have a place outside the camp to go and relieve yourself.

American Standard Version (1901)

Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:

Bible in Basic English

Let there be a place outside the tent-circle to which you may go;

Douay-Rheims 1899

Thou shalt have a place without the camp, to which thou mayst go for the necessities of nature,

Free Bible Version

Choose a place outside the camp to be used as a toilet.

Geneva Bible 1599

Thou shalt haue a place also without the hoste whither thou shalt resort,

King James (Authorized) Version

¶ Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:

One Unity Resource Bible

You shall have a place also outside of the camp where you go relieve yourself.

Translation for Translators

“Your soldiers must have a toilet area outside the camp where you can go when you need to.

Unlocked Literal Bible

You must have a place also outside the camp to which you will go;

Noah Webster Bible

Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:

World English Bible

You shall have a place also outside of the camp where you go relieve yourself.

Young's Literal Translation

'And a station thou hast at the outside of the camp, and thou hast gone out thither without,

Context

Uncleanness in the Camp

¹¹When evening approaches, he must wash with water, and when the sun sets he may return to the camp.¹²You must have a place outside the camp to go and relieve yourself.¹³And you must have a digging tool in your equipment so that when you relieve yourself you can dig a hole and cover up your excrement.

Summary

This verse instructs the Israelites on maintaining cleanliness and holiness within their camp by designating a place outside the camp for them to use as a toilet. The emphasis is on the importance of maintaining physical cleanliness as a reflection of spiritual purity before God. By following these guidelines, the Israelites were reminded of the need to honor God in all aspects of their lives, including their personal hygiene and sanitation practices.

Commentary

John Gill
Tyndale

John Gill Bible Commentary

Thou shalt have also a place without the camp,.... A place prepared, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, provided on purpose for the use hereafter suggested; so Ben Melech: whither thou shalt go forth abroad; to do the necessities of nature, which they were to do without the camp, not in any place they thought fit and most convenient, but what was appointed for that purpose.