Deuteronomy18

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.
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Provision for Priests and Levites

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. ​
2
Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them. ​
3
And 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. ​
4
The 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.
5
For 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.
6
And 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; ​
7
Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.
8
They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.

Prohibition of Pagan Practices

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. ​
10
There 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, ​
11
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12
For 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. ​
13
Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. ​
14
For 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.

The Promise of a Prophet Like Moses

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; ​
16
According 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. ​
17
And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18
I 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. ​
19
And 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.
20
But 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. ​
21
And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
22
When 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. ​

Study Notes for Deuteronomy 18

Verse 1

The Levites, who were dedicated entirely to temple service, were excluded from receiving a territorial inheritance among the other tribes. Their support came directly from the offerings made to the LORD.

Verse 2

Theological principle: Because the Levites had no land, the LORD Himself became their 'inheritance,' signifying a unique, intimate covenant relationship and dependency on divine provision.

Verse 3

This verse details specific portions of the communal sacrifices that were designated as the priest’s due (the shoulder, cheeks, and stomach/maw). This ensured the physical sustenance of the priestly families.

Verse 6

This provision addresses itinerant Levites who might leave their ancestral homes throughout Israel to serve at the central sanctuary (the place the LORD shall choose). This ensured that all serving Levites received equal support.

Verse 9

As Israel prepared to enter Canaan, they were strictly warned against adopting the religious practices of the inhabitants, which were defined by idolatry and occult communication.

Verse 10

The list provides nine categories of occult practices, ranging from the horrific (child sacrifice, 'passing through the fire') to various forms of divination and communication with the dead (necromancy).

Verse 12

The reason for the expulsion of the Canaanites is explicitly linked to these abominable religious acts. Israel’s failure to avoid these practices would result in the same judgment.

Verse 13

The positive requirement that contrasts with pagan ritual: Israel is called to be 'perfect' (or 'blameless/wholehearted') with the LORD, meaning complete reliance on God and His revealed will, not on hidden knowledge or magic.

Verse 15

Following the prohibition of false prophets and diviners, Moses promises a true, authorized mediator. This 'Prophet like me' is a figure who will speak God’s word authoritatively; the New Testament identifies Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment (Acts 3:22).

Verse 16

This promise is directly linked to the people’s request at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Fearing direct contact with God’s terrifying presence, they asked for an intermediary to speak God’s commands (Exod 20:19).

Verse 18

The key characteristic of the true prophet is that God will 'put my words in his mouth.' This prophet will not offer personal opinions but will serve as a mouthpiece for divine, authoritative revelation.

Verse 20

To protect the integrity of the covenant, the penalty for presumptuous prophecy (speaking falsely in God's name) or speaking in the name of other gods is death. This established a rigorous standard for those claiming divine inspiration.

Verse 22

This provides the practical, empirical test for discerning a true prophet: if the predicted event does not occur, the prophet is false. The community must not fear or obey those proven to be speaking presumptuously.

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