Loading...

Change Translation

Loading...
  • Recent Translations
  • All Translations

Deuteronomy 18:2-12

Listen to Deuteronomy 18:2-12
2 They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the Lord is their inheritance, as he promised them.
3 And this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those offering a sacrifice, whether an ox or a sheep: 1they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach.
4 2The firstfruits of your grain, of your wine and of your oil, and the first fleece of your sheep, you shall give him.
5 For the Lord your God has chosen him out of all your tribes 3to stand and minister in the name of the Lord, him and his sons for all time.
6 “And if a Levite comes from any of your towns out of all Israel, 4where he lives—and he may come when he desires[a]— 5to the place that the Lord will choose,
7 and ministers in the name of the Lord his God, 6like all his fellow Levites who stand to minister there before the Lord,
8 then he may have equal 7portions to eat, besides what he receives from the sale of his patrimony. [b]

Abominable Practices

9 “When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, 8you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you anyone 9who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, [c] anyone who 10practices divination or 11tells fortunes or interprets omens, or 12a sorcerer
11 or a charmer or 13a medium or a necromancer or 14one who inquires of the dead,
12 15for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And 16because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.

Deuteronomy 18:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 18

This chapter gives an account of the provision made for the priests and Levites, with the reason of it, De 18:1-5, of allowance of a country Levite to minister at Jerusalem, and take his portion with the rest, De 18:6-8, and of several persons of bad practices not to be suffered among the people of Israel, De 18:9-14, and of an extraordinary prophet that should be raised up among them, to whom they should hearken, or it would be the worse for them, De 18:15-19, but a false prophet was to be put to death, of whom a sign is given by which he might be known, De 18:20-22.

Unlock Deeper Insights: Get Over 20 Commentaries with Plus! Subscribe Now

Cross References 16

  • 1. 18:3 See Lev. 7:30-34
  • 2. 18:4 Num. 18:12; 2 Chr. 31:5
  • 3. 18:5 ch. 17:12
  • 4. 18:6 Num. 35:2, 3; Judg. 17:7; 19:1
  • 5. 18:6 See ch. 12:5
  • 6. 18:7 [1 Chr. 23:6; 2 Chr. 31:2]
  • 7. 18:8 2 Chr. 31:4; Neh. 12:44, 47; 13:10
  • 8. 18:9 ch. 12:29-31; See Lev. 18:26-30
  • 9. 18:10 See Lev. 18:21
  • 10. 18:10 2 Kgs. 17:17
  • 11. 18:10 See Lev. 19:26
  • 12. 18:10 [Ex. 22:18]
  • 13. 18:11 See Lev. 19:31
  • 14. 18:11 [1 Sam. 28:7]
  • 15. 18:12 ch. 22:5; 25:16
  • 16. 18:12 See ch. 9:4

Footnotes 3

  • [a] 18:6 Or 'lives—if he comes enthusiastically'
  • [b] 18:8 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  • [c] 18:10 Hebrew 'makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025

Study Tools

PLUS

Unlock Notes

This feature is for PLUS subscribers only. Join PLUS today to access these tools and more.

JOIN PLUS

Unlock Highlights

This feature is for PLUS subscribers only. Join PLUS today to access these tools and more.

JOIN PLUS

Unlock Bookmarks

This feature is for PLUS subscribers only. Join PLUS today to access these tools and more.

JOIN PLUS

Track Your Reading

Create a free account to start a reading plan, or join PLUS to unlock our full suite of premium study tools.

Already have an account? Sign in