XVIII.
Deuteronomy 18:1.
THE PBIESTS’ DUE.
(1) THE PRIESTS THE LEVITES, (AND) ALL THE TRIBE OF LEVI. — The fact
that there is no “and” here in the original, and the look of the
sentence in English, might dispose a superficial reader to find some
ground here for the theory that priest and Levite ar... [ Continue Reading ]
(6-8) AND IF A LEVITE COME. — The Levites with the priests were to
receive forty-eight cities in Israel, with the suburbs (Numbers 35:7).
There was as yet no provision made by which all could serve in turn at
the tabernacle. When David divided them all into courses, priests,
Levites, singers (and po... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL HAVE LIKE PORTIONS TO EAT, BESIDE THAT. — The Levite thus
dedicated was to have the same allowance from tithes as the rest who
served at the tabernacle, beside the proceeds of the patrimony which
he would have had in his own Levitical city.... [ Continue Reading ]
(9-14) Certain forms of idolatry to be avoided, especially unlawful
means of communication with the unseen world.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE. — See Leviticus 18:21.
USETH DIVINATION — (Numbers 22:7), possibly by sacrifices.
OBSERVER OF TIMES. — This is the Rabbinical explanation of the word.
In Hebrew the idea of “time” is not so clear. _It_ seems to mean
practising _hidden_ arts. (See Leviticus 19:26.)
ENCHAN... [ Continue Reading ]
CHARMER. — Literally _one who ties knots,_ used here for the first
time in Old Testament.
CONSULTER WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS. — Literally, _one who consulteth
ôb_ (see Leviticus 19:31).
A WIZARD. — One who _knows_ or pretends to k_now_ the secrets of the
unseen world. (See Leviticus 19:31.)
NECROMAN... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BE PERFECT WITH THE LORD THY GOD. — Rashi’s note on
this is worth preserving: “Thou shalt walk with Him in sincerity,
and wait for Him. And thou shalt not pry into the future. But
whatsoever cometh upon thee, take it with simplicity, and then thou
shalt _be with Him,_ and be His portion.”... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD THY GOD HATH NOT SUFFERED THEE SO TO DO. — More literally,
_As for thee, not so hath Jehovah thy God given unto thee. A prophet
from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, will Jehovah
thy God raise up unto thee. Him shall ye hear._ The contrast between
the miserable resources of... [ Continue Reading ]
Deuteronomy 18:15. THE ONE MEDIATOR.
The connection between these verses and the preceding is well
illustrated by Isaiah’s question (Deuteronomy 8:19): “And when
they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits,
and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE THING FOLLOW NOT, NOR COME TO PASS. — This is one form of our
Lord’s test for all prophets, “_By their fruits_ (_i.e.,_ the
‘results,’ of their teaching, not its first impressions) _ye shall
know them.”_... [ Continue Reading ]