Deuteronomy 18:3-8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 18:3

Verse 3 3.And this shall be the priests’ due. It is not only for the sake of the priests that God enumerates what He would have them receive, that they may obtain what is their own without murmuring or dispute; but He also has regard to the people,lest the priests should basely and greedily take more than their due; which sacred history relates to have been done by the sons of Eli, (1 Samuel 2:23,) for they had advanced to such a degree of licentiousness, that, like robbers, they seized... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 18:6

Verse 6 6.And if a Levite come. This third head more clearly explains what is elsewhere more obscurely declared; for God seemed to curtail from the Levites whatever He gave to the priests. But He now more distinctly places the priests in the first rank, yet so that they should admit the Levites on the score of their labor’s to a share of the oblations. This is the sum of the law, that the Levites who remained at home, should be content with the tithes, and touch nothing of the other offerings;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:1-8

EXPOSITION RIGHTS OF THE PRIESTS AND THE LEVITES . THE ARTS OF DIVINATION OF THE HEATHEN TO BE AVOIDED . PROPHETS PROMISED WHOM ISRAEL MUST HEAR . THE FALSE AND PRESUMPTUOUS PROPHET TO BE PUT TO DEATH . After the ruling powers, the judges and the king, come the priests and the Levites. In regard to them Moses repeats here the law as before laid down (cf. Numbers 18:20 , Numbers 18:23 , Numbers 18:24 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:1-8

The support of the ministry the duty of God's people. In a note on a corresponding passage in Numbers 18:21 , Numbers 18:22 , Dr. Jameson remarks, "Neither the priests nor the Levites were to possess any allotments of land, but to depend entirely upon him who liberally provided for them out of his own portion; and this law was subservient to many important purposes, such as that, being exempted from the cares and labors of worldly business, they might be exclusively devoted to his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:1-8

God's provision for the priests and Levites. From the limitations of the monarchy, Moses next turns to the provision for the " priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi." They were not to receive any estate in Canaan beyond the suburbs of certain cities. They were to take " the Lord as their inheritance." We have already seen that Palestine was a good land for training up a spiritual people; it was a land where dependence upon God was constantly enforced. Bat among this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:1-8

The true priest is the highest type of man. God here lays down the lines along which men may rise to the dignity of the true priesthood. The ordinance did not secure the ideal reality. "The Law was weak through the flesh." Human choice and endeavor were requisite to attain to God's ideal priest. It is his privilege to receive from God, and to reveal to men. I. DIVINE CHOICE AND HUMAN DESIRE MUST COMBINE TO MAKE A REAL PRIEST . The man, though born a Levite, must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:2-3

As he hath said unto them (cf. Numbers 18:20 ). The shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw ; i . e . the front leg, the two jaw-bones, and the rough stomach of ruminants, in which the digestion is completed. These were regarded as the choice parts of the animal, and were to be given to the priests in addition to the wave breast and heave leg of the peace offerings (Le 7:32, etc.; Numbers 18:11 ), which belonged to the firings of Jehovah, mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:1 . To... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:4

In addition to the firstfruits already prescribed by the Law to be given to the priests ( Numbers 18:12 , Numbers 18:13 ), Moses here enacts that the first fleece of the sheep shall be given. All these, though legally prescribed, were free gifts on the part of the people; the neglect of the prescription incurred only moral blame, not judicial penalty. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:5

The reason assigned for the enactment is that God had chosen the priest to stand and minister in the Name of Jehovah, i . e . not only by his appointment and authority, but with full power to act as mediator between the people and God. Him and his sons forever; referring to the establishment of the priesthood in the family of Aaron. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:5

The priesthood. Israel, as a holy nation, consecrated to God's service, was " a kingdom of priests" ( Exodus 19:6 ). This priestly character of the nation was represented formally in the tribe of Levi. The distinctive duties of the priesthood were discharged by the sons of Aaron, who were thus the priests strictly so called. I. THE PRIESTHOOD IN ITSELF . 1. Chosen and set apart by God. "Chosen him out of all thy tribes." 2. Holy, indicated by bodily perfection (Le ... read more

Group of Brands