Deuteronomy18
English Standard Version
1The , the of , shall have or with . They shall the Lord ’s as their .
2They shall have their ; the Lord is their , he them.
3And shall be the ’ from the , from those a , whether an or a : they shall to the the and the and the .
4The of your , of your and of your , and the of your , you shall him.
5 the Lord your has him out your to and in the of the Lord, him and his for .
6And a of your out , he —and he may when he — to the the Lord will ,
7and in the of the Lord his , like his who to minister the Lord,
8then he may have to , what he receives from the of his .
9When you into the the Lord your is you, you shall to the of those .
10There shall be among you anyone who his or his as an , anyone who or or , or a
11or a or a or a or one who of the ,
12 these is an to the Lord. And of the Lord your is driving them you.
13You shall be the Lord your ,
14 , you are about to , to and to . But as for you, the Lord your has you to do .
15The Lord your will raise for you a like me from you, from your —it is to him you shall —
16 you of the Lord your at on the of the , when you , Let me the of the Lord my or any , I .
17And the Lord to me, They are in they have .
18I will raise for them a like you from their . And I will my in his , and he shall to them I him.
19And will to my he shall in my , I myself will it him.
20But the to a in my I have him to , or in the of , that same shall .
21And you in your , may we the the Lord has ? —
22 a in the of the Lord, if the does or come true, that is a that the Lord has ; the has it . You need be of him.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Deuteronomy 18.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A provision respecting Levites. (1–8). The abominations of the Canaanites to be avoided. (9–14). Christ the great Prophet. (15–22).
vv1-8
Care is taken that the priests entangle not themselves with the affairs of this life, nor enrich themselves with the wealth of this world; they have better things to mind. Care is likewise taken that they want not the comforts and conveniences of this life. The people must provide for them. He that has the benefit of solemn religious assemblies, ought to give help for the comfortable support of those that minister in such assemblies.
vv9-14
Was it possible that a people so blessed with Divine institutions, should ever be in any danger of making those their teachers whom God had made their captives? They were in danger; therefore, after many like cautions, they are charged not to do after the abominations of the nations of Canaan. All reckoning of lucky or unlucky days, all charms for diseases, all amulets or spells to prevent evil, fortune-telling, etc. are here forbidden. These are so wicked as to be a chief cause of the rooting out of the Canaanites. It is amazing to think that there should be any pretenders of this kind in such a land, and day of light, as we live in. They are mere impostors who blind and cheat their followers.
vv15-22
It is here promised concerning Christ, that there should come a Prophet, great above all the prophets; by whom God would make known himself and his will to the children of men, more fully and clearly than he had ever done before. He is the Light of the world, Joh 8:12. He is the World by whom God speaks to us, Joh 1:1; Heb 1:2. In his birth he should be one of their nation. In his resurrection he should be raised up at Jerusalem, and from thence his doctrine should go forth to all the world. Thus God, having raised up his Son Christ Jesus, sent him to bless us. He should be like unto Moses, only above him. This prophet is come, even JESUS; and is “He that should come,” and we are to look for no other. The view of God which he gives, will not terrify or overwhelm, but encourages us. He speaks with fatherly affection and Divine authority united. Whoever refuses to listen to Jesus Christ, shall find it is at his peril; the same that is the Prophet is to be his Judge, Joh 12:48. Woe then to those who refuse to hearken to His voice, to accept His salvation, or yield obedience to His sway! But happy they who trust in Him, and obey Him. He will lead them in the paths of safety and peace, until He brings them to the land of perfect light, purity, and happiness. Here is a caution against false prophets. It highly concerns us to have a right touchstone wherewith to try the word we hear, that we may know what that word is which the Lord has not spoken. Whatever is against the plain sense of the written word, or which gives countenance or encouragement to sin, we may be sure is not that which the Lord has spoken.
Key Words
לֵוִיִּי: a Levite or descendant of Levi
כֹּהֵן: literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שֵׁבֶט: a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
לֵוִי: Levi, a son of Jacob
לֹא: not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
חֵלֶק: properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment
נַחֲלָה: properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אָכַל: to eat (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 18Peter explicitly cites Deut 18:15 as fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Stephen quotes this verse to prove Moses pointed forward to Jesus.
Supported by JFB
Establishes the foundational law that Levi has no inheritance because God is their inheritance.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Details the priest's sacrificial portions (breast and shoulder) referenced in the text.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Philip identifies Jesus as the one written about by Moses in the Law.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus warns that rejecting His words brings the judgment Moses foretold.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul applies the temple-service maintenance principle to New Testament gospel ministers.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the prohibitions of child-sacrifice and occult abominations of Canaan.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Saul seeks a woman with a familiar spirit, violating this direct command.
Supported by John Calvin
Declares that no prophet rose in Israel like Moses, pointing to Messiah.
Supported by JFB
The historical request at Horeb/Sinai to have Moses speak instead of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God's response to Israel's fear at Horeb, confirming they spoke well.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Joshua records the practical execution of Levi receiving no land inheritance.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Gives the legal procedure for identifying and punishing a false prophet.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jeremiah applies the test of fulfillment to Hananiah's false peace prophecy.
Supported by Matthew Henry