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Deuteronomy 18

22 verses

TL;DR

Deuteronomy 18 recounts the special inheritance of the Levites, forbids idolatry and divination among Israel, and promises a prophet like Moses.

Summary

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.

Outline
  1. Priest inheritance and duties
  2. Prohibition of idolatry and divination
  3. Promise of a prophet like Moses
Themes
Covenant exclusivitySanctity of prophetic authorityJudgment on false prophets
Keywords
prophetLevitesfirst fruitsdivinationabominationinheritance
People
LevitesMoses
Places
IsraelHorebthe landthe gates
Things
fire offeringsfirst fruitsprophecydivinationabominations
Key Verses
  • Deuteronomy 18:20: Defines the death penalty for prophets who speak presumptuously or in other gods' names.
  • Deuteronomy 18:15: Announces the LORD’s promise to raise a prophet like Moses.
  • Deuteronomy 18:19: Emphasizes the obligation to heed the prophet’s words.
Questions
  • Why does the LORD designate the Levites as the only inheritors of the land’s offerings?
  • What distinguishes the Israelites’ covenant faithfulness from that of the surrounding nations?
  • How does the promise of a prophet like Moses affect Israel’s expectation of future leadership?
  • What are the implications for contemporary believers regarding prophetic authority and false prophets?
  • How does the prohibition against divination reflect the broader biblical theme of idolatry?
Sentiment

neutral
The passage conveys instruction, warning, and promise without overtly positive or negative emotional language.