Deuteronomy 18

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 18

1¶ The priests the Levites, [and] all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance.

2Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD [is] their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.

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

4The firstfruit [also] of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.

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

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

7Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites [do], which stand there before the LORD.

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

9¶ When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

10There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

13Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

14For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so [to do].

15¶ 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;

16According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.

17And the LORD said unto me, They have well [spoken that] which they have spoken.

18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

19And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require [it] of him.

20But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

21And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?

22When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Deuteronomy 18 outlines the provisions for the Levites and priests, who receive no land inheritance but are sustained by the LORD's offerings and the people's firstfruits. The chapter strictly forbids Israel from engaging in the abominable practices of the surrounding nations, such as divination and necromancy. It concludes with the promise of a future Prophet like Moses, through whom God will speak, and establishes criteria for discerning true prophets from false ones.

Medium Summary

Deuteronomy 18 begins by detailing the sustenance for the Levitical priests, who are allotted no land inheritance among Israel, as the LORD Himself is their portion. They are to receive specific parts of sacrifices and the firstfruits of the land and flocks. The chapter then issues a stern warning against adopting the detestable practices of the nations Israel is to dispossess, explicitly listing various forms of divination, sorcery, and necromancy as abominations to the LORD. Israel is commanded to be "perfect" with God, avoiding these customs. Finally, Moses prophesies that the LORD will raise up a Prophet from among their brethren, like himself, to whom the people must hearken. This promise addresses Israel's fear of direct divine encounter at Horeb. The chapter concludes by establishing the severe consequences for false prophets and providing a clear test for discerning a true prophet: if their prophecy, spoken in the LORD's name, does not come to pass, it is presumptuous and not from God.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy 18 commences by establishing the unique inheritance of the Levitical priests: they are to receive no territorial portion among the tribes of Israel, for the LORD Himself is their inheritance, sustained by the offerings made by fire and specific dues from the people. These dues include the shoulder, cheeks, and maw of sacrifices, as well as the firstfruits of corn, wine, oil, and the first fleece of sheep. This provision ensures their ability to minister perpetually in the LORD's name, a role for which they were chosen from all tribes. The text further clarifies that any Levite, regardless of their previous dwelling, may come to the chosen place of worship and minister alongside their brethren, receiving equal portions of the offerings. The chapter then transitions to a strong admonition against the abominable practices of the nations Israel is about to displace. It explicitly forbids a wide array of occult and idolatrous activities, including making children pass through fire, divination, observing times, enchantment, witchcraft, charming, consulting familiar spirits, wizardry, and necromancy. These practices are declared an abomination to the LORD, and it is because of them that God is driving out the current inhabitants. Israel is called to be "perfect" and blameless before the LORD their God, distinguishing themselves from the nations who practiced such things. Finally, Moses delivers a pivotal prophecy concerning a future Prophet. The LORD promises to raise up a Prophet from among their brethren, one who will be "like unto me" (Moses), and to whom the people must hearken. This promise is presented as a direct response to Israel's plea at Horeb to avoid direct divine speech and the terrifying sight of God's fire. God will put His words in the mouth of this Prophet, who will speak all that God commands. A severe warning is issued: any who do not listen to the words spoken by this Prophet in God's name will be held accountable. Conversely, any prophet who presumes to speak a word in God's name without command, or who speaks in the name of other gods, shall be put to death. A practical test is provided to discern a true prophet: if what a prophet speaks in the LORD's name does not come to pass, then it is a presumptuous word not spoken by the LORD, and the people need not fear that prophet.

Core Concepts

  • Levitical InheritanceThe Levites and priests receive no land inheritance in Israel; instead, the LORD Himself is their portion, sustained by offerings and firstfruits from the people. This ensures their dedication to ministry.
  • Prohibited AbominationsIsrael is strictly forbidden from engaging in various occult and idolatrous practices common among the surrounding nations, such as divination, sorcery, and necromancy, which are detestable to the LORD.
  • The Prophet Like MosesGod promises to raise up a future Prophet from among Israel, similar to Moses, through whom He will speak directly to His people, fulfilling their desire for an intermediary.
  • Divine Authority of the ProphetThe promised Prophet will speak God's words, and those who do not hearken to him will be held accountable by the LORD. This underscores the seriousness of his message.
  • Discerning True and False ProphetsA clear criterion is given: a true prophet's words, spoken in the LORD's name, will come to pass, while a false prophet's presumptuous or idolatrous words will not, and such a prophet shall die.
  • Perfection with GodIsrael is commanded to be "perfect with the LORD thy God," implying a complete devotion and separation from the corrupt practices of other nations, fostering blamelessness before Him.