Deuteronomy 18

The priests and the Levites—all the tribe of Levi—shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire and his portion.

They shall have no inheritance among their brothers. The LORD is their inheritance, as he has spoken to them.

This shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give to the priest: the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts.

You shall give him the first fruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep.

For the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to minister in the LORD’s name, him and his sons forever.

If a Levite comes from any of your gates out of all Israel where he lives, and comes with all the desire of his soul to the place which the LORD shall choose,

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.

They shall have like portions to eat, in addition to that which comes from the sale of his family possessions.

When you have come into the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations.

There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer,

or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. Because of these abominations, the LORD your God drives them out from before you.

You shall be blameless with the LORD your God.

For these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you so to do.

The LORD your God will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him.

This is according to all that you desired of the LORD your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, “Let me not hear again the LORD my God’s voice, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I not die.”

The LORD said to me, “They have well said that which they have spoken.

I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.

It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”

You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?”

When a prophet speaks in the LORD’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter establishes the religious and social provisions for the Levitical priests, prohibits Israel from engaging in pagan religious practices common among the surrounding nations, and announces the coming of a future prophet like Moses, through whom the Lord will speak definitively to His people.

Flow.

Begins by defining the unique status of the Levites and priests, who receive no territorial inheritance because the Lord Himself is their portion, supported instead by specific offerings and dues from the people.
Prescribes the means by which Levites from anywhere in Israel may come to serve at the divinely chosen sanctuary, sharing equally in the support provided, regardless of personal background.
Issues a strong prohibition against Canaanite occult practices—child sacrifice, divination, necromancy, and sorcery—declaring them abhorrent to the Lord and among the reasons for the nations’ displacement.
Contrasts these forbidden means of seeking divine knowledge with God’s appointed alternative: a coming prophet like Moses, divinely raised and commissioned, whose authority must be heeded and by whose accurate word true prophecy shall be discerned.

Connections.
Following chapter 17, which outlines the roles of judges, kings, and the Levitical priesthood in administering justice and teaching the law, chapter 18 further defines the Levites’ sustenance and role while deepening the theme of exclusive reliance on the Lord for spiritual guidance. It anticipates the need for authentic divine revelation, preparing the way for chapter 19, which establishes cities of refuge and safeguards for justice, reinforcing the principle that life and order under God’s covenant depend on adherence to His clearly revealed will, not occult deception or human presumption.

What it teaches.
God ordains that those who serve as priests and Levites live not by land or inheritance but by His provision through tithes and offerings, bearing witness that He is their portion (WCF 21.8; HC LD 30). The practices of the dispossessed nations—seeking knowledge through divination or spiritism—are detestable because they bypass God’s appointed ways of revelation (WCF 1.6; BC Art. 9). Instead, Israel is to expect a prophet like Moses, raised by God to speak His words with final authority; this prophecy points to Christ, the Mediator of the covenant who fully declares the Father’s will (WCF 8.6; HC LD 12, LD 19). True prophecy is confirmed by its fulfillment, safeguarding the people from false teaching (Deut. 13:1–3; WCF 1.8).

Apply.
Trust the sufficiency of God’s spoken Word through His appointed Prophet, and rely on Christ’s teaching as the only sure guide for knowing God’s will.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.