Central Sanctuary
A recurring biblical pattern of going to the place the LORD chooses for his name to dwell.
The Bible speaks of a place chosen by the LORD, where his name dwells and to which specified offerings, meals, festivals, and difficult judgments are directed. The word or idea recurs in at least 19 verses across 2 books and 11 episodes.
In Deuteronomy, the people are told to seek the place the LORD chooses from among the tribes for his dwelling and to go there (Deuteronomy 12:5). Burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, contributions, and vowed offerings are to be brought there (Deuteronomy 12:11), while burnt offerings are restricted to the place the LORD chooses (Deuteronomy 12:14). The passages also place eating before the LORD, rejoicing with households and others, and the Passover at that chosen place (Deuteronomy 12:18; Deuteronomy 16:2; Deuteronomy 16:11).
The same language includes bringing firstfruits to the place chosen for the LORD’s name to dwell (Deuteronomy 26:2) and going there when a judgment matter is too difficult in the gates (Deuteronomy 17:8). In Judges, the house of God is said to be at Shiloh, and a traveler says he is going to the house of the LORD (Judges 18:31; Judges 19:18).
Key verses
Across Scripture
Deuteronomy · Judges