Though the heathen whose land they were to possess sought to diviners and enchanters, Israel was not to do so; as for them (the אַתָּה at the beginning of the clause is an emphatic nominative), Jehovah their God had not suffered ( נָתַן , given, granted, allowed) them to do such things. read more
Perfect - As in Genesis 17:1; Job 1:1; Matthew 5:48. The sense is that Israel was to keep the worship of the true God wholly uncontaminated by idolatrous pollutions. read more
Deuteronomy 18:13-14. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God Sincerely and wholly his, seeking him and cleaving to him, and to his word alone, and therefore abhorring all commerce and conversations with devils. Hath not suffered thee so to do Hath not suffered thee to follow these superstitious and diabolical practices, as he hath suffered other nations to do, but hath instructed thee better by his word and Spirit, and will more fully instruct thee by a great Prophet. read more
Spiritual guides, good and bad (18:1-22)Further information is given concerning the support of priests (18:1-5; see notes on Numbers 18:8-20). If a Levite from the country sold his local possessions to move to the central place of worship, he could retain the money from the sale of his goods and still be financially supported by the people, the same as other Levites (6-8; see notes on Numbers 18:21-32).Israel’s law prohibited all forms of witchcraft and magic, whether cruel practices in which... read more
perfect = devoted, or single-hearted. read more
Prophets 18:9-22The context of this section is significant, as usual. Deuteronomy 18:1-8 deal with people who ministered to Yahweh in various ways for the people, and Deuteronomy 18:15-22 concern the delivery of God’s revelations to His people. Deuteronomy 18:9-14 contrast illegitimate types of religious personnel and practices with the legitimate kinds Moses dealt with in the surrounding sections."Of the three major institutions of ancient Israelite social and religious life-royalty, the... read more
The Priestly Dues. Character and Work of the True Prophet1-8. The Priestly dues: see on Numbers 18.4. This is the only place where the priests are said to receive the first of the fleece: cp. Numbers 18:12.9-14. Condemnation of superstitious and magical practices.10. Pass through the fire] The context here seems to imply that this was a method of divining or obtaining an oracle from a god: cp. on Leviticus 18:21. Useth divination] a general term, but applied specially to the casting of lots:... read more
(9-14) Certain forms of idolatry to be avoided, especially unlawful means of communication with the unseen world. read more
(13) 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.” read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:13
Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God . The word translated "per-feet" properly means entire , whole , answering to the Latin integer ; it is used only in a moral sense, and is best rendered by "upright;" the Israelites were to be upright and sincere with, i . e . in relation with, Jehovah their God. read more