Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 18:6
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;
6. a Levite from any of thy gates ] any of the tribe who had ministered at any of the rural sanctuaries now disestablished by the concentration of the cultus at Jerusalem. Thy gates, see Deu 12:12. Out of all Israel, emphatic addition to the usual phrase.
where he sojourneth ] Heb. is a gr, a landless resident, without portion or inheritance. So in Jdg 17:7; Jdg 19:1. D knows nothing of the Levitical cities of P, Num 35:1-8, Joshua 21.
and come with all the desire of his soul ] The construction is uncertain. Some begin the apodosis of this conditional sentence here, then he may come, etc. (Steuern., Berth.), which is not probable; others preferably with the beginning of Deu 18:7 (EVV., Wellh., Addis, Marti); others not till the beginning of Deu 18:8 (Dillm., Driv.). Desire of his soul, see Deu 12:15.
unto the place, etc.] See on Deu 12:5.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
These verses presuppose that part of the Levites only will be in residence and officiating at the place of the sanctuary, the others of course dwelling at their own homes in the Levitical cities, or sojourning elsewhere; compare the marginal references. But if any Levite out of love for the service of the sanctuary chose to resort to it when he might reside in his own home, he was to have his share in the maintenance which was provided for those ministering in the order of their course.
Deu 18:8
Beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony – The Levites had indeed no part nor inheritance with Israel, but they might individually possess property, and in fact often did so (compare 1Ki 2:26; Jer 32:7; Act 4:36). The Levite who desired to settle at the place of the sanctuary would probably sell his patrimony when quitting his former home. The text directs that he should, notwithstanding any such private resources, duly enjoy his share of the perquisites provided for the ministers at the sanctuary, and as he was waiting at the altar should be partaker with the altar 1Co 9:13.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Either for any private occasions, or to sojourn there for a season, or rather with full purpose to fix his abode, and to spend his whole time and strength in the service of God, as appears by the sale of his patrimony, mentioned Deu 18:8. It seems probable that the several priests were to come from their cities to the temple by turns before Davids time, and it is certain they did so after it. But if any of them were not contented with this seldom attendance upon God in his tabernacle or temple, and desired more entirely and constantly to devote himself to Gods 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 conveniencies which he could and did enjoy in the city of his possession, and to oblige himself to more constant and laborious work about the sacrifices, &c.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6-8. if a Levite . . . come with allthe desire of his mindIt appears that the Levites served inrotation from the earliest times; but, from their great numbers, itwas only at infrequent intervals they could be called into actualservice. Should any Levite, however, under the influence of eminentpiety, resolve to devote himself wholly and continually to the sacredduties of the sanctuary, he was allowed to realize his ardent wishes;and as he was admitted to a share of the work, so also to a share ofthe remuneration. Though he might have private property, that was toform no ground for withholding or even diminishing his claim tomaintenance like the other ministering priests. The reason orprinciple of the enactment is obvious (1Co9:13). At the same time, while every facility was afforded forthe admission of such a zealous and self-denying officer, thisadmission was to be in an orderly manner: he was to minister “asall his brethren”that is, a Gershonite with Gershonites; aMerarite with Merarites; so that there might be no derangement of theestablished courses.
De18:9-14. THEABOMINATIONS OF THENATIONS ARETO BE AVOIDED.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of Israel, where he sojourned,…. In any of the cities through the land, for they were dispersed all over the country, and employed in instructing and teaching the people; and, excepting the cities which were given them to dwell in out of the various tribes, they were but sojourners:
and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the Lord shall choose; the city of Jerusalem, where the temple would be built, and sacrifices offered, at which the Levites were assisting to the priests, and in various parts of the service of the sanctuary; and to which they are supposed to come with an hearty good will, with great eagerness of soul, and a vehement desire of being employed in the work of the Lord. Though Jarchi interprets it of a priest, that comes and offers his freewill offerings, or what he is obliged to, and even in a ward not his own; or, as otherwise expressed, of the priests that come to the feast, who offer in the ward, and serve in the offerings that come by virtue of the feast, as the additions of the feast, though it is not in their own ward; and indeed every priest was a Levite, though every Levite was not a priest; and the description of him after given, as standing ministering in the name of the Lord, best agrees with a priest.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 6-8:
Not all the Levites were assigned to minister in the sanctuary, in the place which the Lord would choose. Many lived in the forty-eight cities assigned to them. The text provides that in the event one not assigned to the sanctuary service should choose to go to the sanctuary and serve, he was to receive the same portions of the sacrifices designated for those who were appointed to serve, along with them.
“The sale of his patrimony,” denotes the price of the sale of the house inherited from his fathers, see Lev 25:33.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
6. And if a Levite come. This third head more clearly explains what is elsewhere more obscurely declared; for God seemed to curtail from the Levites whatever He gave to the priests. But He now more distinctly places the priests in the first rank, yet so that they should admit the Levites on the score of their labor’s to a share of the oblations. This is the sum of the law, that the Levites who remained at home, should be content with the tithes, and touch nothing of the other offerings; but that from whithersoever they should come to the sanctuary, they were to be accounted as ministers and take their proper place. By this law then, it was provided that none should be excluded on the ground of the intermission of their duties; and that the condition of those that dwelt elsewhere should not be worse than of those who lived at Jerusalem. For although they might reside in other cities, they did not altogether cease from their ministry, since they had other duties to perform besides that of sacrificing the victims. Yet those who entirely devoted themselves to the work of the sanctuary, were endowed by God with double honor; since it was by no means just that they should be defrauded of their maintenance, who bade adieu to domestic cares and labors, and occupied themselves totally in holy offices. That this distribution was not superfluous, will best appear from the narrative of Josephus, who relates that the (226) priests seized on the tithes by violence, and deprived the Levites of their subsistence by hostile measures.
(226) About this time King Agrippa gave the high priesthood to Ismael, who was the son of Fabi. And such was the impudence and boldness that had seized on the high priests, that they had the hardiness to send their servants into the threshing-floors, to take away those tithes that were due to the priests; insomuch that it so fell out that the poorer sort of the priests died for want.” — Whiston’s Josephus. Antiq. 20 ch. 8, sec. 8. See also ch. 9, sec. 2.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6-8) And if a Levite come.The Levites with the priests were to receive forty-eight cities in Israel, with the suburbs (Num. 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 priestnot as a priest, but as a Levite in attendance upon the priests.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. If a Levite come from any of thy gates The Levites, so called in contrast with the priests, are to be entitled to a share of the offerings. Not only priests but Levites were employed in the tabernacle and temple service. See Num 18:1-5 ; 2Ch 31:2.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Maintenance of Levites Who Elect To Come To Serve At The Sanctuary ( Deu 18:6-8 ).
The Levites were to be spread all over Israel. But when they came to serve at the Tabernacle permanently they would need to be provided for.
Analysis using the words of Moses.
a And if a Levite come from any of your gates out of all Israel, where he sojourns, and come with all the desire of his soul to the place which Yahweh shall choose (Deu 18:6).
b Then he shall minister in the name of Yahweh his God (Deu 18:7 a).
b As all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before Yahweh (Deu 18:7 b).
a They shall have like portions to eat, besides that which comes of the sale of his patrimony (Deu 18:8).
Note that in ‘a’ it is speaking of the Levite who comes to the place which Yahweh has chosen, burning with seal to serve at the Tabernacle. In the parallel their portion is to be similar to that of the priests and Levites already there. On the top of that they may retain any silver obtained from selling the family home in the city from which he comes. In ‘b’ then he will minister in the name of Yahweh his God, in the same way as all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before Yahweh.
Deu 18:6-7
‘ And if a Levite come from any of your gates out of all Israel, where he sojourns, and come with all the desire of his soul to the place which Yahweh shall choose, then he shall minister in the name of Yahweh his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before Yahweh.’
It was the Levites and not the priests who tended to be spread around the land. But at times they would seek to take their part in the worship of the sanctuary (not necessarily permanently). Here one comes ‘with all the desire of his soul’. He is fulfilling a great desire. Once there he must be allowed to serve in the name of Yahweh his God, along with all his brother Levites who ‘stand before Yahweh’. To stand before Yahweh is not necessarily a priestly ministry. Compare Deu 10:8; Deu 19:17; Deu 29:10; Deu 29:15; 1Ki 17:1 ; 1Ki 18:15; 1Ki 19:11; 2Ki 3:14; 2Ki 5:16 see also Num 11:16. Nor is ‘to minister in His name’. Compare Deu 10:8. In 2 Chronicles 29 ‘you Levites’ (which includes both priests and Levites specifically distinguished – Deu 18:4-5) are chosen to ‘stand before Him, to minister to Him, and to be his ministers, and to burn incense’, again a mixing of levitical and priestly duties. In 1Sa 2:11 the child Samuel ‘did minister to Yahweh before Eli the Priest’. At his young age this could not include direct priestly ministry. In Num 8:25-26 the Levites ‘minister with their brothers in the tent of meeting’. The idea is of general service in His Tabernacle.
To be in the Tabernacle courtyard (Lev 1:3; Lev 1:5; Lev 1:11 and often, see Lev 4:15), or even gathered round it (Exo 34:23-24), was always to be ‘before Yahweh’. (See also Num 7:3; Num 8:10; Num 14:37; Num 15:15; Num 32:21-22 etc; Deu 1:45; Deu 4:10; Deu 6:25; Deu 12:7; Deu 12:12; Deu 12:18; Deu 16:16 etc).
Examples of Tabernacle service would include repair and maintenance within the limits of where they were allowed to go and making replacements for worn out sections of the tabernacle (compare Exo 38:21), organisation of visitors who came to the tabernacle and general guardianship (Num 1:53), assisting those who found difficulty in slaying their sacrifices (compare Eze 44:11), assisting with sanctifying the house of Yahweh (2Ch 29:16) and certainly later singing and music. Thus they ‘ministered before Yahweh’.
Deu 18:8
‘ They shall have like portions to eat, besides that which comes of the sale of his patrimony.’
They were to be given equal shares in all the portions that fell to the Levites. And this was not be affected by any rents they received from letting their own house, or capital received from selling it.
It is not absolutely certain what ‘patrimony’ includes – the Hebrew rendered baldly translated would be ‘the sale concerning the fathers’. The general meaning is, however, clear. When the Levite left his levitical city, or wherever he was resident, and took up residence at the Sanctuary, he had a right to keep any wealth obtained from family possessions, which might include property owned in the levitical city.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 6-8. And if a Levite i.e. One of the tribe of Levi, whether priest or Levite: Shall come with all the desire of his mind; i.e. with a sincere desire to consecrate himself entirely to the service of the sanctuary, and to fix his abode in the same place with the sanctuary; then he shall minister in the name of the Lord, ver. 7 or, he shall minister to the name of the Lord, as in the LXX; i.e. he shall continually attend at the altar, to perform the service of the sanctuary, as the other priests do in their courses. This was the case with Samuel. And they shall have like portions to eat, ver. 8 that is, the rest of the priests who wait at the altar shall allow such person the same portion which they themselves have in the sacrifices. Willing to engage the ministers of religion to consecrate themselves entirely to the functions of the ministry, Moses here determines, upon the whole, that all those who hereafter should come to fix themselves entirely at the house of the Lord, should be treated absolutely upon the same footing with their colleagues, associated with them in their functions and emoluments. Beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony means, beside what personal estate he had gotten himself, or was left him by his relations, and which was to be sold for his use; for, though the priests had no share in the land of Canaan given them at the division of that country, yet they might purchase houses, goods, and cattle, and sometimes land too; as we read that Abiathar had fields of his own at Anathoth; 1Ki 2:26 and the prophet Jeremiah, who was also a priest, purchased a field of his uncle’s son. Jer 32:7-8.
REFLECTIONS.Provision is made for the support of a godly ministry. 1. They were to have no inheritance among their brethren, nor any worldly care to draw them off from attending to the duties of their function. God was to be their portion; and they who have his love in time, and the hope of his glory in eternity, need not wish a greater. Note; A worldly-minded priest is a scandal to his profession, and a living lie. Not that they should want a competency, though they were debarred from getting gain by agriculture or commerce. As servants at God’s altar, they had a part of every sacrifice for their maintenance; and the first-fruits of the corn and wine and the fleece of the sheep were given them, that they might have both food and raiment sufficient for them. Note; He that loves God’s altar, will never grudge a liberal contribution to support those who are chosen of God to minister before him. Whom God honours, we must honour. 2. If a Levite, from a holy zeal for God’s service, desired out of his course to go up and serve at the altar, he might, and share the work and wages with his brethren there: for, in settling a certain number alway, to minister, no exclusion was put on those who voluntarily offered themselves. Note; Besides the generally established service, a zealous minister will delight to be employed for God, out of common seasons, as well as in season; and, though his colder brethren may count this step irregular, God will regard it as highly commendable.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
There is a great tenderness manifested of the LORD’S attention in this precept, in the provision for the free-will service of the LORD’S ministers. Oh! do thou blessed SPIRIT, who hath the hearts of thy people at thy command, incline many such in our day to be instant in the work, to win souls to JESUS. 2Ti 4:1-2 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Deu 18:6 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;
Ver. 6. With all the desire of his mind. ] To do God better service. A good heart holds the best he can do, but a little of that much that he could gladly give the Lord, and is still devising what to do more. Psa 116:12
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 18:6-8
6Now if a Levite comes from any of your towns throughout Israel where he resides, and comes whenever he desires to the place which the LORD chooses, 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, except what they receive from the sale of their fathers’ estates.
Deu 18:6 They were to replace the firstborn of Exodus 13. This was based on God’s choice, not human merit, which is obvious from the sins of Levi, Moses, and Aaron.
Deu 18:6-7 This allowed Levites/priests to live outside of Jerusalem and to be available to teach and judge in every town. But they had access and the right to function at the central sanctuary also.
Deu 18:8
NASBexcept what they receive from the sale of their father’s estates
NKJVbesides what comes from the sale of his inheritance
NRSVeven though they have income from the sale of family possessions
TEVand he may keep whatever his family sends him
NJBwhat he has from the sale of his patrimony notwithstanding
JPSOAwithout regard to personal gifts or patrimonies
LXXbesides the sale of his hereditary property
REBbesides what he may inherit from his father’s family
The different translations show the options. It refers to the sale of family possessions (but not land).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
a Levite: i.e. a Tribal Levite who devoted himself to the Aaronic service. Compare Lev 25:33.
his mind = his soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
come: Num 35:2, Num 35:3
and come with: Psa 26:8, Psa 27:4, Psa 63:1, Psa 63:2, Psa 84:5, Psa 84:10, 1Ti 3:1, 1Pe 5:2
unto the place: Deu 12:5, Deu 16:2
Reciprocal: Deu 12:11 – a place Deu 12:12 – the Levite 1Sa 23:20 – all the desire
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 18:6. 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 Davids 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, and desired more entirely and constantly to devote himself to Gods 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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Deu 18:6-8. The Levites (i.e. the disestablished local priests, see Deu 10:9*) are on coming to Jerusalem to be accorded the status and emoluments of the priests of the central sanctuary. Contrast 2Ki 23:9; perhaps the indiscriminate application of this law was found impracticable.
Deu 18:8. beside . . . patrimony: read and render (with Steuernagel) except those who acted as heathen priests and practised necromancy. The change in the Heb. is insignificant; the MT is bad Heb. and gives no suitable sense.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
18:6 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.