Bible Commentaries

The priests the Levites, [and] all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his ^a inheritance.

(a) That is, the Lord's part of his inheritance.

And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether [it be] ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the ^b shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.

(b) The right shoulder, (Numbers 18:18).

And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with ^c all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose;

(c) Meaning, to serve God whole heartedly, and not to seek ease.

They shall have like portions to eat, ^d beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.

(d) Not forced to live from himself.

There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to ^e pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

(e) Signifying they were purged by this ceremony of passing between two fires.

Thou shalt be ^f perfect with the LORD thy God.

(f) Without hypocrisy or mixture or false religion.

The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a ^g Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

(g) Meaning, a continual succession of prophets, till Christ, the end of all prophets, comes.

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his ^h mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

(h) A promise not only made to Christ, but to all that teach in his name, (Isaiah 59:21).

And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will ⁱ require [it] of him.

(i) By executing punishment on him.

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing ^k follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

(k) Under this sure note he comprises all the other tokens.