Deuteronomy18
World English Bible · Public Domain
1The priests and the Levites—all the tribe of Levi—shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the offerings of Yahweh made by fire and his portion.
2They shall have no inheritance among their brothers. Yahweh is their inheritance, as he has spoken to them.
3This shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give to the priest: the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts.
4You shall give him the first fruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep.
5For Yahweh your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to minister in Yahweh’s name, him and his sons forever.
6If a Levite comes from any of your gates out of all Israel where he lives, and comes with all the desire of his soul to the place which Yahweh shall choose,
7then he shall minister in the name of Yahweh his God, as all his brothers the Levites do, who stand there before Yahweh.
8They shall have like portions to eat, in addition to that which comes from the sale of his family possessions.
9When you have come into the land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations.
10There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer,
11or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh. Because of these abominations, Yahweh your God drives them out from before you.
13You shall be blameless with Yahweh your God.
14For these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, Yahweh your God has not allowed you so to do.
15Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him.
16This is according to all that you desired of Yahweh your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, “Let me not hear again Yahweh my God’s voice, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I not die.”
17Yahweh said to me, “They have well said that which they have spoken.
18I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.
19It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
20But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”
21You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?”
22When a prophet speaks in Yahweh’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid 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