BibleWord.ai› Bible› Deuteronomy› Chapter 18› Verse 7

Deuteronomy 18:7

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 18:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “then he shall minister in the name of Jehovah his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

then he shall minister in the name of Jehovah his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before Jehovah.
Deuteronomy 18:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4The first-fruits of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
5For Jehovah thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of Jehovah, him and his sons for ever.
6And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourneth, and come with all the desire of his soul unto the place which Jehovah shall choose;
7then he shall minister in the name of Jehovah his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before Jehovah.
8They shall have like portions to eat, besides that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.
9When thou art come into the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10There shall not be found with thee any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one that useth divination, one that practiseth augury, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer,
← Deuteronomy 18:6Deuteronomy 18:8 →
← Full Chapter 18 Deuteronomy Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he shall minister in the name of the Lord his God, etc.] The Targum of Jonathan is, “he shall minister in the name of the Word of the Lord his God;” in the name of Christ, as a type of him, as every priest and every sacrifice were: he was to be allowed to officiate, though it was not his course or turn: as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the Lord; daily offering the same sacrifices, and whatsoever are brought unto them; who might be said to stand before the Lord, because they stood at the altar of the Lord, and offered the sacrifices of the people to him; and a country Levite or priest was to be admitted to do the same thing at Jerusalem, and in the temple…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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. Deuteronomy 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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“as all his brethren: Ch2 31:2-4 Deuteronomy 18:8”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification