Deuteronomy 18:1-8

Provision for Priests and Levites

1 The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. ¹

2 Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

3 This shall be the priests’ share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether a bull or a sheep: the priests are to be given the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach.

4 You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock.

5 For the LORD your God has chosen Levi and his sons out of all your tribes to stand and minister in His name for all time.

6 Now if a Levite moves from any town of residence throughout Israel and comes in all earnestness to the place the LORD will choose,

7 then he shall serve in the name of the LORD his God like all his fellow Levites who stand there before the LORD.

8 They shall eat equal portions, even though he has received money from the sale of his father’s estate.

Deuteronomy 18:1-8 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.

Cross References

• 1. (1 Corinthians 9:1–18)