Deuteronomy 18:5 kjv
For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.
Deuteronomy 18:5 nkjv
For the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons forever.
Deuteronomy 18:5 niv
for the LORD your God has chosen them and their descendants out of all your tribes to stand and minister in the LORD's name always.
Deuteronomy 18:5 esv
For the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand and minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for all time.
Deuteronomy 18:5 nlt
For the LORD your God chose the tribe of Levi out of all your tribes to minister in the LORD's name forever.
Deuteronomy 18 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 19:5-6 | "Now if you obey me fully... out of all nations you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." | God's calling of Israel as a priestly nation. |
| Lev 9:22-23 | Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them... | Example of priestly blessing. |
| Num 3:6-9 | "Bring the tribe of Levi... so they may serve him..." | The Lord's calling of Levites for temple service. |
| Num 6:23 | "Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites..." | The priestly blessing formula given by God. |
| Num 8:14 | "Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine." | Levites separated and consecrated to God. |
| Num 10:8 | "The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets." | Specific roles of Aaron's sons. |
| Num 16:9 | "...He has brought you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord..." | Levites chosen for direct service to God. |
| Num 18:2 | "Also bring with you your relatives, the tribe of Levi... so that they may join you and minister to you." | Reinforces Levites aiding priests. |
| Num 18:7 | "But you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar..." | Defines the priestly duties of Aaron's lineage. |
| Deut 10:8-9 | "At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi... The Levites have no share or inheritance with their fellow Israelites." | Levites consecrated, God is their inheritance. |
| Deut 18:1 | "The Levitical priests... are to have no share or inheritance with Israel..." | Reiteration of their distinct provision. |
| Josh 13:33 | "But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance." | Confirmation of their divine inheritance. |
| 1 Chr 23:13 | "The sons of Amram: Aaron... He and his sons were set apart for the most holy things..." | Aaron's line chosen for most sacred duties. |
| Jer 33:18 | "...there shall never fail to be a man of them to stand before me to offer burnt offerings..." | Perpetual priestly service promised. |
| Ezek 44:15-16 | "...the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary... they shall come near to My table to minister to Me..." | Priests privileged to serve directly before God. |
| Mal 2:5-7 | "My covenant with him was one of life and peace... For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge..." | The priest's role in instruction and purity. |
| Luke 24:50 | When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. | Jesus, the ultimate High Priest, bestows blessing. |
| John 14:13 | "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do..." | Actions performed in God's authoritative name. |
| Eph 1:3 | "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing..." | God's divine blessings bestowed. |
| Heb 7:22 | "...so much more Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant." | Jesus' superior priesthood guarantees blessing. |
| Heb 8:6 | "But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant..." | Christ's superior ministry as High Priest. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "...Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come... through His own blood..." | Christ's superior priestly act of atonement. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." | Believers' New Covenant spiritual priesthood. |
Deuteronomy 18 verses
Deuteronomy 18 5 Meaning
Deuteronomy 18:5 establishes the divine choice of the Levitical priesthood for perpetual, consecrated service to the Lord. It mandates their ongoing responsibility to "stand always before the Lord" to minister in His holy name and to convey divine blessings to the people of Israel. This appointment underscores God's sovereign initiative in setting apart a specific lineage for sacred mediation, contrasting sharply with unauthorized forms of divination and religious practice.
Deuteronomy 18 5 Context
Deuteronomy 18 forms a crucial part of Moses' farewell addresses to Israel as they stand poised to enter the Promised Land. Within this larger discourse on covenant faithfulness and future living, Moses outlines specific laws and expectations for a holy life in the new land. Chapter 18 explicitly warns against the detestable practices of the Canaanites, such as child sacrifice, divination, sorcery, and necromancy (v. 9-14). In direct contrast to these illicit and spiritually harmful practices, verse 5 and subsequent verses (v. 15-22) provide God's divinely ordained means of interacting with Him: through His chosen priests (v. 1-8) and future prophets (v. 15-22). This verse, therefore, establishes the legitimate authority and role of the Levitical priesthood as God's sanctioned spiritual leaders and mediators, ensuring Israel would have a pure, divinely-approved channel for worship and guidance, distinguishing them from the surrounding pagan cultures.
Deuteronomy 18 5 Word analysis
- For the LORD your God: Emphasizes YHWH's sovereign authority and covenant relationship with Israel. He is the ultimate chooser and provider.
- has chosen: (Hebrew: bachar - בָּחַר) Signifies a deliberate, selective act by God. This choice is an act of divine election, not based on human merit or democratic selection, highlighting the unique and holy calling.
- him and his sons: Refers specifically to Aaron and his descendants, the priestly lineage within the tribe of Levi, distinguishing them from the broader Levites who served in other capacities. This indicates a hereditary and enduring appointment.
- out of all your tribes: Underscores the exclusive nature of this divine selection. No other tribe or individual outside this designated line had the authority to perform these sacred functions. This sets the Levites apart, emphasizing their distinct spiritual purpose within the community.
- to stand always: (Hebrew: la'amod tamid - לְעָמְדָה תָמִיד) Implies a perpetual, continuous, and active presence. It signifies a readiness for service, constant vigilance, and faithful performance of duties directly before God, suggesting access to His presence. It speaks to the permanence and unwavering nature of their commitment and role.
- before the LORD: Denotes serving directly in the presence of God, specifically in the sanctuary (Tabernacle/Temple). This implies intimate access and sacred privilege, performing rituals on behalf of the people to God.
- to minister: (Hebrew: l'sharet - לְשָׁרֵת) Refers to active service, duties, and functions associated with the priesthood, which included offering sacrifices, maintaining the sanctuary, teaching the Law, interceding for the people, and making judgments according to divine law. It emphasizes service rather than lordship.
- in the name of the LORD: This phrase denotes authoritative action performed by divine sanction and empowerment. Their ministry was not self-initiated but derived its legitimacy and power directly from God's own authority. It signifies acting as His representatives.
- and to pronounce blessings: (Hebrew: u'lebarekh - וּלְבָרֵךְ) A specific and vital function of the priest. They were conduits through whom God's favor, peace, and well-being were invoked and declared upon the people, ensuring their prosperity and covenant faithfulness.
Deuteronomy 18 5 Bonus section
- The divine choice outlined in this verse also implied a unique provision for the Levitical priests; they received no territorial inheritance in the land, as "the Lord Himself is their inheritance" (Deut 10:9). Their livelihood came from tithes and offerings from the other tribes.
- The phrase "to stand always before the LORD" carries connotations beyond merely physical presence; it implies a continuous state of readiness, vigilance, and perpetual engagement in their sacred duties, acting as intercessors and ministers without ceasing.
- This verse provides foundational insight into the importance of ordained spiritual authority in the Old Covenant, acting as a safeguard against spiritual anarchy and deceptive practices, ensuring the purity and integrity of Israel's worship life.
Deuteronomy 18 5 Commentary
Deuteronomy 18:5 solidifies the theological and practical basis for the Levitical priesthood in Israel, articulating God's deliberate, exclusive, and permanent choice of a specific lineage for sacred service. This divine institution provided a vital counterpoint to the abhorrent religious practices prevalent in the surrounding nations. By having a divinely sanctioned priesthood, Israel could maintain a unique relationship with YHWH, facilitated by individuals authorized to represent the people before God and God to the people. Their role to "stand always" before the Lord highlighted constant availability for sacred duties and unbroken fellowship. Their "ministering in the name of the Lord" underscored the divine authority under which they operated, legitimizing their acts of worship, mediation, and instruction. Furthermore, the priestly prerogative "to pronounce blessings" revealed their crucial role as channels of divine favor and peace to the community, demonstrating God's desire to bless His people through established means. This verse is thus foundational to understanding the order and structure of worship and spiritual guidance in ancient Israel, pointing to God's careful provision for His covenant people.