22 verses
Deuteronomy 18 recounts the special inheritance of the Levites, forbids idolatry and divination among Israel, and promises a prophet like Moses.
The chapter opens with a description of the Levites’ exclusive inheritance—fire offerings and God’s own portion—setting them apart from other Israelite tribes. It specifies the portions due to priests from sacrificial animals and the first fruits of crops and flocks. The text then warns Israel not to adopt the abominations of surrounding nations: child sacrifice, divination, enchantment, and necromancy. It declares Israel’s covenant fidelity, contrasting it with the other nations’ reliance on diviners. Finally, the passage proclaims that the LORD will raise a prophet among Israel, like Moses, to speak God’s words, and it lays out the conditions for obeying or rejecting such a prophet. The promise is that a prophet who speaks falsely or in the name of other gods will die, while those who obey God’s words will not fear.
neutral
The passage conveys instruction, warning, and promise without overtly positive or negative emotional language.