Deuteronomy 18:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:1-8

Magistracy and ministry are two divine institutions of admirable use for the support and advancement of the kingdom of God among men. Laws concerning the former we had in the close of the foregoing chapter, directions are in this given concerning the latter. Land-marks are here set between the estates of the priests and those of the people. I. Care is taken that the priests entangle not themselves with the affairs of this life, nor enrich themselves with the wealth of this world; they have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:5

For the Lord thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes ,.... That is, has chosen the tribe of Levi out of all the other tribes of Israel: to stand to minister in the name of the Lord ; the priests to minister to the Lord by offering sacrifices, and the Levites to minister to the priests in assisting them in their service; and both their ministry were in the name of the Lord, and for his glory, and done standing; for there was no sitting in the sanctuary F23 Maimon. in Misn.... 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 18:5

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:1-22

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 18:5

Ver. 5. To stand to minister— An expression which indicates the posture in which the priests were to officiate, and their assiduity in the discharge of their functions. The expression, in the name of the Lord, signifies, by his appointment, and for his service. See Outram de Sacrif. lib. i. c. 6. read more

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