View Deuteronomy 18 in the note window.
Rules concerning priests and Levites, ver. 1 - 8.
Cautions against witchcraft, ver. 9 - 14.
A promise of Christ, ver. 15 - 19.
The punishment and mark of a false prophet, ver. 20 - 22.
1: His inheritance - The Lord's portion or inheritance, which God
had reserved to himself, as tithes and first fruits, and other oblations
distinct from those which were made by fire.
3: The maw - The Hebrew word here rendered maw or
stomach, may have another signification, and some render it the
breast, others take it for the part, which lies under the breast.
6: With all the desire of his mind - With full purpose to fix his
abode, and to spend his whole time and strength in the service of God. It
seems, the several priests were to come from their cities to the temple by
turns, before David's time; and it is certain they did so after it.
But if any of them were not contented with this attendance upon God in his
tabernacle, or temple, and desired more entirely and constantly to devote
himself to God's service there, he was permitted so to do, because this was
an eminent act of piety joined with self - denial, to part with those great
conveniences which he enjoyed in the city of his possession.
8: Like portions - With their brethren who were in actual
ministration: as they share with them in the work, so shall they in the
encouragements. Beside that which cometh - The reason of this law was,
because he that waited on the altar, ought to live by the altar: and because
it was fit he should keep his money, wherewith he might redeem what he sold,
if afterwards he saw occasion for it. Mr. Henry adds a remarkable note
here: especially considering he wrote threescore years ago. "A hearty,
pious zeal to serve God and his church, tho' it may a little encroach upon
a settled order, and there may be somewhat in it that looks irregular,
yet ought to be gratified, and not discouraged. He that loves
dearly to be employed in the service of the sanctuary: in God's name let
him minster. He shall be as welcome to God as the Levites, whose
course it was to minister, and should be so to them."
10: Useth divination - Foretelleth things secret or to come, by
unlawful arts and practices. An observer of times - Superstitiously
pronouncing some days lucky, and others unlucky. Or, an observer of
the clouds or heavens, one that divineth by the motions of the clouds,
by the stars, or by the flying or chattering of birds, all which Heathens
used to observe. An inchanter - Or, a conjecturer, that discovers
hidden things by a superstitious use of words or ceremonies, by observation
of water or smoke or any contingencies. A witch - One that is in covenant
with the devil.
11: A charmer - One that charmeth serpents or other cattle. Or,
a fortune - teller, that foretelleth the events of men's lives by the
conjunctions of the stars. Spirits - Whom they call upon by certain
words or rites. A wizard - Heb. a knowing man, who by any forbidden
way's undertakes the revelation of secret things. A necromancer - One
that calleth up and enquireth of the dead.
13: Perfect - Sincerely and wholly his, seeking him and cleaving
to him and to his word alone, and therefore abhorring all commerce and
conversations with devils.
14: Hath not suffered thee so to do - Hath not suffered thee to
follow these superstitious and diabolical practices, as he hath suffered
other nations to do, but hath instructed thee better by his word and
spirit, and will more fully instruct thee by a great prophet.
15: Will raise up - Will produce and send into the world in due time.
A prophet like unto me - Christ was truly, and in all commendable parts
like him, in being both a prophet and a king and a priest and mediator, in
the excellency of his ministry and work, in the glory of his miracles, in
his familiar and intimate converse with God.
19: I will require it - I will punish him severely for it. The sad
effect of this threatning the Jews have felt for above sixteen hundred
years together.
22: If the thing - Which he gives as a sign of the truth of his
prophecy. The falsehood of his prediction shews him to be a false prophet.
Presumptuously - Impudently ascribing his own vain and lying fancies to
the God of truth.
