Deuteronomy 18:7
Deuteronomy 18:7 in Multiple Translations
then he shall serve in the name of the LORD his God like all his fellow Levites who stand there before the LORD.
Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.
then he shall minister in the name of Jehovah his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before Jehovah.
Then he will do the work of a priest in the name of the Lord his God, with all his brothers the Levites who are there before the Lord.
then he shall be allowed to serve in the name of the Lord his God like all his fellow Levites who stand there in service before the Lord.
He shall then minister in the Name of the Lord his God, as all his brethren the Leuites, which remaine there before the Lord.
then he hath ministered in the name of Jehovah his God, like all his brethren, the Levites, who are standing there before Jehovah,
then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brothers the Levites do, who stand there before the LORD.
Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do , who stand there before the LORD.
He shall minister in the name of the Lord his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, that shall stand at that time before the Lord.
he is permitted to serve Yahweh there as a priest, just like the other men from the tribe of Levi who have been serving there.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 18:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 18:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/שֵׁרֵ֕ת
בְּ/שֵׁ֖ם
יְהוָ֣ה
אֱלֹהָ֑י/ו
כְּ/כָל
אֶחָי/ו֙
הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
הָ/עֹמְדִ֥ים
שָׁ֖ם
לִ/פְנֵ֥י
יְהוָֽה
וְ/שֵׁרֵ֕ת
shârath
H8334
to minister
Conj | V-Piel-3ms
בְּ/שֵׁ֖ם
shêm
H8034
name
Prep | N-ms
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהָ֑י/ו
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
כְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
אֶחָי/ו֙
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-mp | Suff
הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
Levi
Art | Ngmpa
הָ/עֹמְדִ֥ים
ʻâmad
H5975
to stand
Art | V-Qal
שָׁ֖ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 18:7
וְ/שֵׁרֵ֕ת
shârath
H8334
"to minister"
Conj | V-Piel-3ms
This verb means to serve or minister to someone, often in a worship or temple setting. It is used to describe the work of priests and Levites in the Old Testament.
Definition: (Piel) to minister, serve, minister to
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: minister (unto), (do) serve(-ant, -ice, -itor), wait on. See also: Genesis 39:4; 1 Chronicles 26:12; Psalms 101:6.
בְּ/שֵׁ֖ם
shêm
H8034
"name"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Definition: 1) name 1a) name 1b) reputation, fame, glory 1c) the Name (as designation of God) 1d) memorial, monument Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Usage: Occurs in 771 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. See also: Genesis 2:11; Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 16:6.
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהָ֑י/ו
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
כְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אֶחָי/ו֙
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
"Levi"
Art | Ngmpa
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.
הָ/עֹמְדִ֥ים
ʻâmad
H5975
"to stand"
Art | V-Qal
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Definition: : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against 1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain 1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect 1b4) to present (one) before (king) 1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be presented, be caused to stand, be stood before
Usage: Occurs in 497 OT verses. KJV: abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. See also: Genesis 18:8; Joshua 21:44; 1 Chronicles 6:17.
שָׁ֖ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 18:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Provision for Priests and Levites
5For the LORD your God has chosen Levi and his sons out of all your tribes to stand and minister in His name for all time.
6Now if a Levite moves from any town of residence throughout Israel and comes in all earnestness to the place the LORD will choose,
7then he shall serve in the name of the LORD his God like all his fellow Levites who stand there before the LORD.
8They shall eat equal portions, even though he has received money from the sale of his father’s estate. 9When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 31:2–4 | Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling. The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the Law of the LORD. Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. |
Deuteronomy 18:7 Summary
This verse is talking about how the Levites, who were a special group of priests, would serve God together in the place He chose. It's like how we, as followers of Jesus, are called to serve Him and work together with other believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). When we serve God, we're representing Him to the world, just like the Levites did. We can learn from this verse by striving to work together in unity and humility, just as the Levites did, and by remembering that our service is not just about what we do, but about who we're serving - the one true God (Matthew 25:40).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a Levite to serve in the name of the LORD his God?
This means that the Levite is representing God and acting on His behalf, similar to how Jesus Christ served as the ultimate representative of God (John 12:49, Hebrews 1:2).
Why are the Levites allowed to serve alongside other Levites in the place the LORD chooses?
The Levites are allowed to serve together because they are all part of the same priestly tribe, chosen by God to minister in His name (Deuteronomy 18:5, Numbers 3:6-10).
How does this verse relate to the concept of unity among believers?
This verse highlights the importance of unity among those who serve the LORD, just as Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 4:3-6, where believers are called to be united in their service to Christ.
What is the significance of the Levites standing before the LORD?
The Levites standing before the LORD signifies their role as intermediaries between God and the people, a concept also seen in Exodus 28:1, where the priests are set apart to serve the LORD.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to serve in the name of the LORD, and how can I apply this concept to my daily life?
- How can I, like the Levites, be mindful of my role as a representative of God in my community and beyond?
- In what ways can I strive for unity with fellow believers, just as the Levites served together in harmony?
- What are some ways I can stand before the LORD, symbolically and practically, in my personal walk with God?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 18:7
And he shall minister in the name of the Lord his God,.... The Targum of Jonathan is, "he shall minister in the name of the Word of the Lord his God;'' in the name of Christ, as a type of him, as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 18:7
And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose; If a Levite come ... with all the desire of his mind.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:7
(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 porters?) alike, there was no longer any need for this provision. The institutions of David prove its antiquity. The only case in history that illustrates it is that of the child Samuel. His father, Elkanah, was a descendant of Korah. He dwelt in Mount Ephraim, and came up to Shiloh year by year. But Samuel was dedicated by his mother to perpetual service there, and as long as the tabernacle continued in Shiloh, the child Samuel “ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest”—not as a priest, but as a Levite in attendance upon the priests.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 18:7
7. then he shall minister] See on Deuteronomy 10:8. If he comes to the one place at which sacrifice is valid, the rural Levite may discharge the priestly office equally with the Levites who already minister there.