Deuteronomy 18
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
THE LORD IS THE PRIESTS' AND THE LEVITES' INHERITANCE. (Deu 18:1-8) The priests the Levites . . . shall eat the offerings--As the tribe of Levi had no inheritance allotted them like the other tribes but were wholly consecrated to the priestly office, their maintenance was to arise from tithes, first-fruits, and certain portions of the oblations presented on the altar, which God having by express appointment reserved to Himself made over, after being offered, to His ministers.
Open source ↗The priests, the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel,.... That is, in the land of Canaan, in the division of it among the tribes: they shall eat the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and his inheritance; the meat offerings, see Lev 2:2, and whatsoever of the sin offerings and peace offerings which were the Lord's; so Ben Melech says, the flesh of the offerings which belonged to the priests was called fire offerings, after part of it was consumed by fire. All these, with other things, Num 18:8, were given, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it, for their inheritance, in lieu of their having none in the land of Canaan.
Open source ↗Laws Concerning the Cities of Refuge, the Sacredness of Landmarks,and the Punishment of False Witnesses - Deuteronomy 19 After laying down the most important features in the national constitution, Moses glances at the manifold circumstances of civil and family life, and notices in this and the two following chapters the different ways in which the lives of individuals might be endangered, for the purpose of awakening in the minds of the people a holy reverence for human life.
Open source ↗Magistracy and ministry are two divine institutions of admirable use for the support and advancement of the kingdom of God among men. Laws concerning the former we had in the close of the foregoing chapter, directions are in this given concerning the latter. Land-marks are here set between the estates of the priests and those of the people. I. 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. They shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel, that is, no share either in the spoils taken in war or in the land that was to be divided by lot, Deu 18:1. Their warfare and husbandry are both spiritual, and enough to fill their hands both with work and profit and to content them. The Lord is their inheritance, Deu 18:2. Note, Those that have God for their inheritance, according to the new covenant, should not be greedy of great things in the world, neither gripe what they have nor grasp at more, but look upon all present things with the indifference which becomes those that believe God to be all-sufficient. II. Care is likewise taken that they want not any of the comforts and conveniences of this life. Though God, who is a Spirit, is their inheritance, it does not therefore follow that they must live upon the air; no, 1. The people must provide for them. They must have their due from the people, Deu 18:3. Their maintenance must not depend upon the generosity of the people, but they must be by law entitled to it. He that is taught in the word ought in justice to communicate to him that teaches him; and he that has the benefit of solemn religious assemblies ought to contribute to the comfortable support of those that preside in such assemblies. (1.) The prie…
Open source ↗18:1 The term Levitical priests described the entire tribe of Levi. Technically, however, only Aaron’s descendants were priests. The non-priestly Levites were their assistants (see 12:12).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… לֵוִי (Lêvîy, H3878) — Levi, a son of Jacob חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… שׁוֹר (shôwr, H7794) — a bullock (as a traveller) שֶׂה (seh, H7716) — a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force לְחִי (lᵉchîy, H3895) — the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone קֵבָה (qêbâh, H6896) — the paunch (as a cavity) or first stomach of ruminants
Open source ↗רֵאשִׁית (rêʼshîyth, H7225) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit) דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain תִּירוֹשׁ (tîyrôwsh, H8492) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine יִצְהָר (yitshâr, H3323) — oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing גֵּז (gêz, H1488) — a fleece (as shorn); also mown grass צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… אַוָּה (ʼavvâh, H185) — longing נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
Open source ↗שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) מִמְכָּר (mimkâr, H4465) — merchandise; abstractly, a selling אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight…
Open source ↗מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) קָסַם (qâçam, H7080) — properly, to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to… קֶסֶם (qeçem, H7081) — a lot; also divination (including its fee), oracle עָנַן (ʻânan, H6049) — figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. practise magic נָחַשׁ (nâchash, H5172) — properly, to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate כָּשַׁף (kâshaph, H3784) — properly, to whisper aspell, i.e. to inchant or practise magic
Open source ↗חָבַר (châbar, H2266) — to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate חֶבֶר (cheber, H2267) — a society; also a spell שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand אוֹב (ʼôwb, H178) — properly, a mumble, i.e. a water skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer… יִדְּעֹנִי (yiddᵉʻônîy, H3049) — properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גָּלָל (gâlâl, H1558) — a circumstance (as rolled around); only used adverbially, on account of אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… עָנַן (ʻânan, H6049) — figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. practise magic קָסַם (qâçam, H7080) — properly, to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.
and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.
The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The offerings made by fire to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.
The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”