Deuteronomy 33:9

When thou goest forth As Deuteronomy 20:1; Deuteronomy 21:10; cp. Deuteronomy 13:13 (14).

in camp Heb. [as] a camp, maḥaneh: a term used of the encampment itself, Deuteronomy 33:10 ff., Joshua 6:11; Joshua 6:14 1 Samuel 17:53, 2 Kings 7:16; of those who encamp, Numbers 10:5 f.; and of a host on its way to encamp or to take up a position, as here, Joshua 8:13; Joshua 10:5; Joshua 11:4 f. (Also used of hosts or companies without any reference to camping.) The camps of nomads were of tents; in time of war Israel's were of booths, 2 Samuel 11:11.

thou shalt keep thee Deuteronomy 2:4.

every evil thing As the context shews, anything that would cause ritual uncleanness; in Deuteronomy 17:1 of a physical blemish unfitting for sacrifice, but in Psalms 64:5 (6), Psalms 141:4 of what is immoral.

Above all claims of kindred the tribe set their duty to the oracles and covenant of Jehovah (cp. Deuteronomy 13:6 (7) ff., Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26).

-It is not blood but abnegation of blood that constitutes the priest. He must act for Jehovah's sake as if he had neither father, nor mother, neither brothers nor children" (Wellh. loc. cit.). Some interpret this specifically of the impartiality of the priests as ministers of justice, they did not respect persons (cp. Deuteronomy 1:16 f., Deuteronomy 17:9 ff.); others see an allusion to Exodus 32:17-29; but both these interpretations are too particular.

Note that, as in D, the whole tribe of Levi are priests, and that in contrast to Genesis 49:7 the tribe is consolidated. See Ryle's note there.

-The priests appear as a strictly close corporation, so close that they are mentioned only exceptionally in the plural number and for the most part are spoken of collectively in the singular as an organic unity which embraces not merely the contemporary members but also their ancestors and which begins its life with Moses, the friend of Jehovah, who as its beginning is identified with the continuation just as the man is identified with the child out of whom he has grown" (Wellh. Hist.135).

Formay be rendered but.