Deuteronomy 18

3 the priest’s due. After repeating from Numb. xviii. 20, 23, 24 the law that the priests and Levites should “have no inheritance in Israel.” Moses makes further provision for their support. In Lev. xvii. 3, 4, it was ordained that animals for food were to be slaughtered only at the entrance of the tabernacle “of meeting”; the priest receiving certain perquisites (Lev. vii. 30-34). This would be impossible after the settlement of the people in Canaan, and the priest’s due from the sacrifices was therefore increased. They had in fact two portions, one from “Jehovah’s inheritance,” and the other “from the people.”

4 shall thou give him. The first-fruits of these things were consecrated to God; and He appropriated them to the maintenance of the priests.

8 beside that which cometh, etc. Though the Levites did not share in the division of the country, yet they might have houses and land in the suburbs of their cities. A Levite who devoted himself to constant service at the tabernacle was to retain this property, or its proceeds, if it were sold, in addition to his portion of the offerings.

10 through the fire. See note on Lev. xviii. 21.—that useth divination. However futile such pretensions might be, they were mischievous, both because they deluded the people, and because they were closely connected with superstition, and particularly with demon-worship.

13 perfect. i.e., rendering to God a complete, not a divided allegiance.

15 a Prophet. Whilst discountenancing these false pretensions, God would, as occasion required, continue the prophetic gift among His people. Moses predicts the coming of the great Prophet, who, like himself, should be the accepted Mediator between Jehovah and His people (see v. 23-28), acting as their Legislator, Governor, and Teacher; and, in this capacity, should introduce a new dispensation—a fact which of itself shows the superiority of this Prophet, as the greater supersedes the less. See Acts iii. 22, vii. 37; Heb. iii. 1-6, xii. 18-29.

18 he shall speak. The Israelites being filled with terror at the awful majesty in which God appeared at Sinai, received the promise of a different display of His glory, which was completely fulfilled when “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth” (John i. 14).