Deuteronomy 18
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1The priests 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. 4The first fruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you shall give him. 5For Yahweh your God has chosen him out of all your tribes, to stand to minister in Yahweh’s name, him and his sons for ever. 6If a Levite comes from any of your gates out of all Israel, where he lives as a foreigner, 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 practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, 11or a charmer, or a consulter 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 perfect 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.
World English Bible (public domain)
“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen.”
Deuteronomy 18:15
Summary
Deuteronomy chapter 18 addresses the provisions for the Levitical priests and their role in Israelite society, emphasizing the importance of their sacred duties. The chapter begins by affirming that the priests, the Levites, shall have no inheritance among the people of Israel, for the Lord is their inheritance. This distinction highlights the spiritual leadership and service priests offer, which sets them apart to minister before God. The chapter also speaks to the practices of divination and sorcery, warning Israel against such actions that are detestable to the Lord, thereby underscoring the need for purity in worship and reliance on God alone for guidance. Additionally, the chapter foretells the coming of a prophet like Moses, indicating that God will raise up a prophet among the Israelites through whom He will speak. This prophetic expectation not only served to guide the Israelites but also laid the groundwork for future messianic expectations, linking the leadership of Moses with that of the prophets to follow. The text concludes with strong warnings concerning false prophets, emphasizing discernment and loyalty to God's revealed word as pivotal for the community's faithfulness. Overall, this chapter functions to establish both the structure of religious leadership and the necessary boundaries for proper worship, reflecting God’s desire for holiness and faithfulness in His covenant relationship with His people.
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