Deuteronomy 18

1 non habebunt sacerdotes et Levitae et omnes qui de eadem tribu sunt partem et hereditatem cum reliquo Israhel quia sacrificia Domini et oblationes eius comedent

2 et nihil aliud accipient de possessione fratrum suorum Dominus enim ipse est hereditas eorum sicut locutus est illis

3 hoc erit iudicium sacerdotum a populo et ab his qui offerunt victimas sive bovem sive ovem immolaverint dabunt sacerdoti armum ac ventriculum

4 primitias frumenti vini et olei et lanarum partem ex ovium tonsione

5 ipsum enim elegit Dominus Deus tuus de cunctis tribubus tuis ut stet et ministret nomini Domini ipse et filii eius in sempiternum

6 si exierit Levites de una urbium tuarum ex omni Israhel in qua habitat et voluerit venire desiderans locum quem elegerit Dominus

7 ministrabit in nomine Dei sui sicut omnes fratres eius Levitae qui stabunt eo tempore coram Domino

8 partem ciborum eandem accipiet quam et ceteri excepto eo quod in urbe sua ex paterna ei successione debetur

9 quando ingressus fueris terram quam Dominus Deus tuus dabit tibi cave ne imitari velis abominationes illarum gentium

10 nec inveniatur in te qui lustret filium suum aut filiam ducens per ignem aut qui ariolos sciscitetur et observet somnia atque auguria ne sit maleficus

11 ne incantator ne pythones consulat ne divinos et quaerat a mortuis veritatem

12 omnia enim haec abominatur Dominus et propter istiusmodi scelera delebit eos in introitu tuo

13 perfectus eris et absque macula cum Domino Deo tuo

14 gentes istae quarum possidebis terram augures et divinos audiunt tu autem a Domino Deo tuo aliter institutus es

15 prophetam de gente tua et de fratribus tuis sicut me suscitabit tibi Dominus Deus tuus ipsum audies

16 ut petisti a Domino Deo tuo in Horeb quando contio congregata est atque dixisti ultra non audiam vocem Domini Dei mei et ignem hunc maximum amplius non videbo ne moriar

17 et ait Dominus mihi bene omnia sunt locuti

18 prophetam suscitabo eis de medio fratrum suorum similem tui et ponam verba mea in ore eius loqueturque ad eos omnia quae praecepero illi

19 qui autem verba eius quae loquetur in nomine meo audire noluerit ego ultor existam

20 propheta autem qui arrogantia depravatus voluerit loqui in nomine meo quae ego non praecepi illi ut diceret aut ex nomine alienorum deorum interficietur

21 quod si tacita cogitatione responderis quomodo possum intellegere verbum quod non est locutus Dominus

22 hoc habebis signum quod in nomine Domini propheta ille praedixerit et non evenerit hoc Dominus non locutus est sed per tumorem animi sui propheta confinxit et idcirco non timebis eum

Deuteronomy 18 Commentary

Chapter 18

A provision respecting Levites. (1-8) The abominations of the Canaanites to be avoided. (9-14) Christ the great Prophet. (15-22)

Verses 1-8 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.

Verses 9-14 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, &c. 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.

Verses 15-22 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, ( John 8:12 ) . He is the World by whom God speaks to us, ( John 1:1 , Hebrews 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, ( John 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.

Chapter Summary

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.