Devarim 33:9

9 Who said unto his av and to his em, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own banim; for they [Levi’im] have been shomer over Thy word, and Thy Brit they have preserved.

Devarim 33:9 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:9

Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen
him
Which some understand of the high priests who were of this tribe, and according to the law were not to defile themselves, or mourn for a father or mother, ( Leviticus 21:11 ) ; or rather, as others, of their having no respect to them in judgment, but determining all causes that came before them according to the law of God, and the rules of justice and equity, in the most impartial manner, without having any regard to the nearest relations to them: with this compare what Christ the antitype of Levi says, in ( Matthew 12:49 Matthew 12:50 ) ;

neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children;
had no respect to persons in judgment, though ever so nearly related: many restrain this to the affair of the golden calf, when the tribe of Levi gathered together, girded their swords on their thighs, and slew every man his brother, companion, and neighbour, guilty of that idolatry, ( Exodus 32:26 Exodus 32:27 ) ;

for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant;
the law of God, spoken by him, and had the nature of a covenant with the people of Israel: this the tribe of Levi observed, not only what respects the worship of God, and the contrary to it, idolatry, but all other moral and religious duties; Christ fulfilled the whole law, and did always and all things what pleased the Lord, ( John 8:29 ) .

Devarim 33:9 In-Context

7 And this to Yehudah: and he said, Shema, Hashem, the voice of Yehudah, and bring him unto his people; let his hands contend for him; and be Thou an ezer (help) to him from his enemies.

8 And of Levi he said, Let Thy Tummim and Thy Urim be with Thy chasid, whom Thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom Thou didst strive at the waters of Merivah;

9 Who said unto his av and to his em, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own banim; for they [Levi’im] have been shomer over Thy word, and Thy Brit they have preserved.

10 They shall teach Ya’akov Thy mishpatim, and Yisroel Thy torah; they shall put ketorah before Thee, and kalil (whole burnt offerings) upon Thine mizbe’ach.

11 Bless, O Hashem, his resources, and accept the work of his hands; strike through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.