Deuteronomy 18:7 kjv
Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.
Deuteronomy 18:7 nkjv
then he may serve in the name of the LORD his God as all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before the LORD.
Deuteronomy 18:7 niv
he may minister in the name of the LORD his God like all his fellow Levites who serve there in the presence of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 18:7 esv
and ministers in the name of the LORD his God, like all his fellow Levites who stand to minister there before the LORD,
Deuteronomy 18:7 nlt
He may minister there in the name of the LORD his God, just like all his fellow Levites who are serving the LORD there.
Deuteronomy 18 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:6-9 | "Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron... they are to attend to him and to the whole congregation..." | Levites assigned to assist priests. |
| Num 4:47 | "...the Levites came to do the work of the service and the work of carrying..." | Details of Levitical duties. |
| Num 8:24-26 | "This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall go in to do service in the work..." | Age of service and retirement for Levites. |
| Num 18:20-24 | "Then the Lord said to Aaron, 'You shall have no inheritance in their land... I have given every tithe in Israel as an inheritance to the Levites...'" | God's provision and Levites' lack of land. |
| Deut 10:8-9 | "At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi... to minister to him and to pronounce blessings in his name... Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers..." | Levites set apart for distinct service. |
| Deut 12:5-6 | "But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose... and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices..." | The command to worship at a chosen central place. |
| Deut 12:12 | "And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you, and your sons and your daughters, and your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your towns..." | Command to include Levites in celebrations. |
| Deut 14:27-29 | "You shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns... For the Levite has no portion or inheritance with you." | Responsibility to support the Levites. |
| 1 Chr 23:25-26 | "For David said, 'The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. So now the Levites need not carry the tabernacle or any of its articles for its service.'" | Later organization of Levites' service changed. |
| Psa 110:3 | "Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments..." | Willingness in God's service. |
| Jer 14:14 | "And the Lord said to me: 'The prophets are prophesying lies in my name.'" | Contrast: Proper ministering "in the name of the Lord". |
| Mal 3:3 | "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord." | Future purity of priestly service. |
| Luke 10:7 | "Remain in that house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house." | Principle of supporting those in ministry. |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." | Supporting those in gospel ministry, analogy to temple service. |
| 2 Cor 8:12 | "For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have." | Emphasis on willingness of heart in giving/service. |
| Phil 2:13 | "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." | God empowers both the will and the action for service. |
| Col 3:17 | "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." | All actions to be done in Christ's authority. |
| Heb 10:25 | "not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another..." | Gathering for worship and encouragement. |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." | Ultimate proximity to God in His chosen dwelling. |
Deuteronomy 18 verses
Deuteronomy 18 7 Meaning
Deuteronomy 18:7 affirms the right of any Levite, regardless of his current residence anywhere in Israel, to journey to the divinely appointed central sanctuary. If motivated by a genuine and wholehearted desire, he may join and minister alongside the Levites already serving there, participating fully in the sacred duties under the name of the Lord his God. This ensures a Levite's access to his assigned sacred duties and encourages service driven by true devotion.
Deuteronomy 18 7 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 18 presents laws concerning the various religious roles and spiritual practices in Israel. Specifically, verses 1-8 outline the rights, duties, and provision for the priests and Levites. As the tribe of Levi was not allotted a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, these verses ensure their sustenance and regulate their sacred service. Verse 7, in particular, addresses the unique situation of Levites who were scattered throughout Israel in their assigned towns, yet retained a right to participate directly in the worship at the central sanctuary, "the place the Lord will choose" (referring ultimately to Shiloh and then Jerusalem/the Temple). This provision safeguards the Levites' freedom to fulfill their priestly calling, emphasizing a heart of willingness in their ministry, while also consolidating centralized worship and preventing local cults.
Deuteronomy 18 7 Word analysis
- And if a Levite (וְכִי יָבוֹא הַלֵּוִי – Vechi yavo haLeviy): "Levite" refers to a descendant of the tribe of Levi, set apart for service in the tabernacle/temple. This initial phrase grants a universal right, not restricted to specific families or appointed courses, to any individual Levite.
- comes from any of your towns (מֵאַחַד שְׁעָרֶיךָ – me'achad she'arecha): Literally "from one of your gates." "Gates" signifies the towns or cities where Levites were dispersed throughout Israel (Num 35:1-8; Josh 21:1-42). This highlights that service at the central sanctuary was open to those living far from it.
- in Israel where he lives (מִכָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר־הוּא גָר שָׁם – mikol-Yisra'el asher hu gar sham): Reinforces the widespread dwelling of Levites across the land and underscores their personal initiative in seeking the central place of worship.
- and comes to the place the Lord will choose (וּבָא אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר יְהוָה – uva el-haMaqom asher yivchar YHWH): This is a critical Deuteronomic phrase, indicating God's sole authority in designating the site of central worship (later Jerusalem). This contrasts with pagan practices where humans arbitrarily established shrines.
- desiring fully to serve (בְּכָל־אַוַּת נַפְשׁוֹ – b'chol avat nafsho): Lit. "with all the desire of his soul/being." This is crucial. It means service must stem from genuine willingness, not mere obligation, coercion, or financial gain. It speaks to sincere devotion and spiritual passion. This spiritual qualification goes beyond birthright or communal assignment.
- then he may minister in the name of the Lord his God (וְשֵׁרֵת בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו – v'sheret b'shem YHWH Elohav): To "minister" (שֵׁרֵת - sheret) refers to serving, especially in a sacred capacity, distinct from the more specific "priestly" duties (כָּהַן - kahan). "In the name of the Lord" implies performing duties under divine authority, with reverence, and for God's glory, not for personal renown. It means acting as God's representative.
- like all his brethren the Levites (כְּכָל־אֶחָיו הַלְוִיִּם – k'chol echav haLevi'im): Assures that the traveling Levite has equal standing and full rights of ministry. He is not to be treated as a lesser servant or an outsider because he journeyed to serve.
- who stand there before the Lord (הָעֹמְדִים שָׁם לִפְנֵי יְהוָה – ha'omdim sham lifney YHWH): "Stand" signifies active, continuous, and respectful service in God's presence. It points to Levites already on duty at the central sanctuary, serving as an example and peers for the newly arrived.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "from any of your towns in Israel where he lives and comes to the place the Lord will choose": This entire phrase underscores the unique and decentralized living arrangement of the Levites in contrast to their singular, centralized point of religious duty. It highlights both their geographical dispersion and their unified spiritual purpose, ensuring their right of access to the sole legitimate place of worship.
- "desiring fully to serve, then he may minister in the name of the Lord his God": This powerful conjunction of "desiring fully" and "ministering in the name of the Lord" establishes the spiritual core of acceptable service. It suggests that external duty must flow from internal devotion and that true service involves embodying God's authority and character. It moves beyond mere ritualistic duty to heartfelt devotion.
- "like all his brethren the Levites who stand there before the Lord": This phrase guarantees both equity and inclusion. It ensures that personal initiative and a zealous heart for service are honored and that a traveling Levite would be seamlessly integrated into the worship team, reinforcing tribal unity and purpose in their common ministry before God.
Deuteronomy 18 7 Bonus Section
- This provision protected individual Levites who might feel sidelined or impoverished by a rotational system, ensuring they could always travel to and participate in the full cultic activities at the heart of Israelite worship.
- It anticipated and guarded against potential abuses where local leaders might prevent Levites from leaving their towns to serve, or where a highly bureaucratic temple structure might marginalize individuals with a genuine spiritual yearning for more active ministry.
- The phrase "the place the Lord will choose" throughout Deuteronomy serves as a polemic against local Canaanite shrines and pagan worship, emphasizing the singular, divinely-sanctioned location for proper worship of Yahweh, which all faithful Levites were invited to attend and serve in.
- This willingness for service finds an echo in the New Testament church, where believers are called to offer their spiritual sacrifices and talents freely and joyfully (Rom 12:1; 1 Pet 2:5, 9), rather than by compulsion. The importance of the heart in service remains a consistent biblical theme.
Deuteronomy 18 7 Commentary
Deuteronomy 18:7 is a profound affirmation of vocational freedom and spiritual earnestness within God's service. It grants every Levite the liberty to serve at the central sanctuary, irrespective of their local residence, emphasizing that genuine devotion and a willing heart are paramount for sacred ministry. This ensured that no Levite was isolated from central worship, nor prevented from fulfilling his sacred calling due to geographic location. This freedom protected against any potential regionalism or exclusive control over worship. By emphasizing "desiring fully to serve," the verse establishes that true service flows from deep personal commitment and zeal for the Lord, foreshadowing the New Covenant emphasis on heartfelt worship over mere ritual. It provided both a means of livelihood and spiritual fulfillment for Levites, promoting unity of service before the Lord.