Deuteronomy 12 19

Deuteronomy 12:19 kjv

Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 12:19 nkjv

Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.

Deuteronomy 12:19 niv

Be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.

Deuteronomy 12:19 esv

Take care that you do not neglect the Levite as long as you live in your land.

Deuteronomy 12:19 nlt

And be very careful never to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.

Deuteronomy 12 verses

Deuteronomy 12 19 Meaning

Deuteronomy 12:19 is a direct command from God to the Israelites, warning them against neglecting the Levites once they settle in the Promised Land. It emphasizes the importance of a continuous and faithful provision for those consecrated to God's service, recognizing their unique status as having no territorial inheritance among the tribes. This command ensures the sustainment of the divine worship system and religious instruction vital for the spiritual health of the nation. It highlights a foundational principle of supporting those who minister the Word of God throughout generations.

Deuteronomy 12 19 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 12 focuses on the proper worship of the LORD in the Promised Land, specifically highlighting the requirement to worship only at the central place that God will choose (Jerusalem). This chapter strongly condemns idolatry and pagan worship practices prevalent among the Canaanites. Within this instruction on maintaining a pure and centralized worship, Moses reminds the Israelites of their responsibility to care for those who are essential to this worship but do not have land for themselves: the Levites. Verse 19 directly follows verses discussing permissible eating of meat locally, contrasting it with the requirements for sacred meals eaten at the central sanctuary. This reminder underscores that even in the freedom of their new land and lives, they must never forget their ongoing covenant obligations, particularly the support of those who facilitate their spiritual relationship with God.

Deuteronomy 12 19 Word analysis

• Take heed to yourself / וְהִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ (Vehishshamer lekha):

  • Literally "And be careful for yourself" or "Guard yourself."
  • Derived from the verb שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning "to keep, guard, observe."
  • The Hithpael stem emphasizes a reflexive, intensive guarding, implying great personal responsibility and diligence. It's a strong, repeated admonition in Deuteronomy, urging active, conscious effort to avoid neglecting a vital command.
  • Significance: It signifies that this is not a casual suggestion but a serious, life-long, and self-aware commitment essential for the individual's spiritual well-being and the nation's.

• that you do not forsake / פֶּן תַּעֲזֹב (pen ta'azov):

  • פֶּן (pen) is a negative conjunction meaning "lest, so that not," introducing a negative purpose or fear.
  • תַּעֲזֹב (ta'azov) is from the verb עָזַב (azav), meaning "to leave, abandon, neglect, relinquish."
  • Significance: This implies a deliberate act of letting go or neglecting, not an accidental oversight. The command is a proactive warning against the potential temptation to disassociate from or stop supporting the Levite once settled and prosperous.

• the Levite / אֶת-הַלֵּוִי (et haLeviy):

  • Referring to the descendants of Levi, the tribe set apart by God for priestly and service duties in the Tabernacle/Temple (Num 3:6-9, Num 8:14-16).
  • Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance when Israel divided the Promised Land (Deut 10:9, Num 18:20-24). Their sustenance depended on the tithes and offerings of the other tribes.
  • Significance: Their lack of land made them utterly dependent on the faithfulness of the community to God's commands regarding tithes and contributions. Neglecting them would mean undermining the entire religious infrastructure and their very survival.

• as long as you live / כָּל-יְמֵיךָ (kol yemeykha):

  • Literally "all your days."
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes the lifelong and continuous nature of the obligation. It's not a temporary duty but an enduring covenant responsibility that transcends generations, underscoring its foundational importance to Israel's ongoing life in the land.

• in your land / עַל-אַדְמָתֶךָ (al admatekha):

  • Refers to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Israel and into which they were about to enter and settle.
  • Significance: The instruction is given specifically for their time of settled life and prosperity in the land given by God. It connects their well-being in the land to their faithfulness in supporting the Levites, implying that neglecting them could jeopardize their tenure or blessings in that very land.

Deuteronomy 12 19 Bonus section

The injunction concerning the Levites reveals God's holistic concern for His covenant people. It is not enough to worship Him with proper rituals; true worship also encompasses social justice and care for the vulnerable members within the community. The Levites, being consecrated yet without typical means of sustenance, served as a continuous test of Israel's faithfulness, reminding them that their material blessings in the land were ultimately from God and should be shared according to His will. This established a precedent for a professional clergy or ministerial class that relied on the generosity and obedience of the laity, preventing them from needing to engage in secular labor that might distract from their sacred duties. This interconnectedness was vital for preserving pure worship and biblical instruction through generations, illustrating God's plan for sustained spiritual health within His people.

Deuteronomy 12 19 Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:19 serves as a crucial ethical and practical injunction, weaving social responsibility into the fabric of their spiritual devotion. The command to "take heed" underscores the severe consequence of forgetting or consciously neglecting those dedicated to God's service. The Levites were uniquely dependent; having no territorial inheritance, their entire livelihood stemmed from the tithes and offerings of the other Israelite tribes. Therefore, supporting them was not merely an act of charity but a direct act of obedience to God's law and a demonstration of national faithfulness. Neglecting the Levite would be equivalent to robbing God (Mal 3:8) and ultimately lead to the decay of divine service, spiritual instruction, and national apostasy, as vividly seen in Nehemiah 13.

This verse prefigures the New Testament principle of supporting those who preach the gospel (1 Cor 9:7-14; Gal 6:6). Just as the Levites ensured the proper functioning of the Old Covenant worship system and instruction, gospel ministers in the New Covenant are to be sustained by the body of believers to faithfully carry out their spiritual duties. The "all your days in your land" clause implies that this duty is perpetual and intrinsic to their life and blessedness within God's covenant. It teaches that spiritual health and material prosperity in the land are inextricably linked to remembering and supporting those who minister God's word and maintain His house.

Practical Usage Examples:

• Ensuring clergy or missionaries are adequately compensated.
• Donating to ministries or churches that proclaim the Gospel and disciple believers.
• Volunteering time and resources to support those serving in Christian organizations.