Mazzaroth

Deuteronomychapter 18

22 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 185 cross-references outward and receives 188 — heaviest partner: Deuteronomy.

Chapter summary

The priests' portion and the prophet like Moses. Levites have no part among their brethren; the LORD is their inheritance. They receive shoulder, cheeks, maw, firstfruits, the firstfleece. False practice — divination, observers of times, enchanters, witches, charmers, consulters with familiar spirits, wizards, necromancers — is an abomination. ‘The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken’ (18:15). The mark of the true prophet: what he speaks in the name of the LORD comes to pass. Peter cites this verse of Christ in Acts 3:22.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Deuteronomy overview for the book's full setting.

10–22 Mazzaroth

1 The priests the Levites, evenall the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of Jehovah made by fire, and his inheritance.

2 And they shall have no inheritance among their brethren: Jehovah is their inheritance, as he hath spoken unto them.

3 And this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.

4 The first-fruits of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.

5 For Jehovah thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of Jehovah, him and his sons for ever.

6 And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourneth, and come with all the desire of his soul unto the place which Jehovah shall choose;

7 then he shall minister in the name of Jehovah his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before Jehovah.

8 They shall have like portions to eat, besides that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.