XVIII. Deuteronomy 18:1. THE PBIESTS’ DUE. (1) THE PRIESTS THE LEVITES, (AND) ALL THE TRIBE OF LEVI. — The fact that there is no “and” here in the original, and the look of the sentence in English, might dispose a superficial reader to find some ground here for the theory that priest and Levite ar... [ Continue Reading ]
(6-8) AND IF A LEVITE COME. — The Levites with the priests were to receive forty-eight cities in Israel, with the suburbs (Numbers 35:7). There was as yet no provision made by which all could serve in turn at the tabernacle. When David divided them all into courses, priests, Levites, singers (and po... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL HAVE LIKE PORTIONS TO EAT, BESIDE THAT. — The Levite thus dedicated was to have the same allowance from tithes as the rest who served at the tabernacle, beside the proceeds of the patrimony which he would have had in his own Levitical city.... [ Continue Reading ]
(9-14) Certain forms of idolatry to be avoided, especially unlawful means of communication with the unseen world.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE. — See Leviticus 18:21. USETH DIVINATION — (Numbers 22:7), possibly by sacrifices. OBSERVER OF TIMES. — This is the Rabbinical explanation of the word. In Hebrew the idea of “time” is not so clear. _It_ seems to mean practising _hidden_ arts. (See Leviticus 19:26.) ENCHAN... [ Continue Reading ]
CHARMER. — Literally _one who ties knots,_ used here for the first time in Old Testament. CONSULTER WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS. — Literally, _one who consulteth ôb_ (see Leviticus 19:31). A WIZARD. — One who _knows_ or pretends to k_now_ the secrets of the unseen world. (See Leviticus 19:31.) NECROMAN... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BE PERFECT WITH THE LORD THY GOD. — Rashi’s note on this is worth preserving: “Thou shalt walk with Him in sincerity, and wait for Him. And thou shalt not pry into the future. But whatsoever cometh upon thee, take it with simplicity, and then thou shalt _be with Him,_ and be His portion.”... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD THY GOD HATH NOT SUFFERED THEE SO TO DO. — More literally, _As for thee, not so hath Jehovah thy God given unto thee. A prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, will Jehovah thy God raise up unto thee. Him shall ye hear._ The contrast between the miserable resources of... [ Continue Reading ]
Deuteronomy 18:15. THE ONE MEDIATOR. The connection between these verses and the preceding is well illustrated by Isaiah’s question (Deuteronomy 8:19): “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE THING FOLLOW NOT, NOR COME TO PASS. — This is one form of our Lord’s test for all prophets, “_By their fruits_ (_i.e.,_ the ‘results,’ of their teaching, not its first impressions) _ye shall know them.”_... [ Continue Reading ]