Bible Commentaries
Go deeper in Scripture
Browse trusted public-domain commentary alongside DiscipleDeck Bible study. References inside each commentary open Bible previews in place.
35,156 commentary entries
All active commentary sources
The Authority of the Judges. (b. c. 1451.)
THE AUTHORITY OF THE JUDGES. (B. C. 1451.) Courts of judgment were ordered to be erected in every city (Deuteronomy 16:18), and they were empowered to hear and determine causes according to law, both those which we call…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 17:14-20
God himself was in a particular manner Israel's King; and if they set another over them, it was necessary that he should choose the person. Accordingly, when the people desired a king, they applied to Samuel, a prophet…
The Choice of a King. (b. c. 1451.)
THE CHOICE OF A KING. (B. C. 1451.) After the laws which concerned subjects fitly followed the laws which concern kings; for those that rule others must themselves remember that they are under command. Here are laws giv…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 18:1-8
Care is taken that the priests entangle not themselves with the affairs of this life, nor enrich themselves with the wealth of this world; they have better things to mind. Care is likewise taken that they want not the c…
Maintenance of the Levites. (b. c. 1451.)
MAINTENANCE OF THE LEVITES. (B. C. 1451.) Magistracy and ministry are two divine institutions of admirable use for the support and advancement of the kingdom of God among men. Laws concerning the former we had in the cl…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:1-8
God's provision for the priests and Levites. From the limitations of the monarchy, Moses next turns to the provision for the "priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi." They were not to receive any estate in Canaa…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:1-8
The true priest is the highest type of man. God here lays down the lines along which men may rise to the dignity of the true priesthood. The ordinance did not secure the ideal reality. "The Law was weak through the fles…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:1-22
EXPOSITION RIGHTS OF THE PRIESTS AND THE LEVITES. THE ARTS OF DIVINATION OF THE HEATHEN TO BE AVOIDED. PROPHETS PROMISED WHOM ISRAEL MUST HEAR. THE FALSE AND PRESUMPTUOUS PROPHET TO BE PUT TO DEATH.
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:1-8
After the ruling powers, the judges and the king, come the priests and the Levites. In regard to them Moses repeats here the law as before laid down (cf. Numbers 18:20, Numbers 18:23, Numbers 18:24).
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:1
The priests the Levites, the whole tribe of Levi; i.e. the whole tribe of Levi, including both the priests and the general body of the Levites. They shall eat the offerings of the Lord made by fire. "The offerings of th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:1-8
The support of the ministry the duty of God's people. In a note on a corresponding passage in Numbers 18:21, Numbers 18:22, Dr. Jameson remarks, "Neither the priests nor the Levites were to possess any allotments of lan…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:4
In addition to the firstfruits already prescribed by the Law to be given to the priests (Numbers 18:12, Numbers 18:13), Moses here enacts that the first fleece of the sheep shall be given. All these, though legally pres…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:5
The reason assigned for the enactment is that God had chosen the priest to stand and minister in the Name of Jehovah, i.e. not only by his appointment and authority, but with full power to act as mediator between the pe…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:5
The priesthood. Israel, as a holy nation, consecrated to God's service, was "a kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19:6). This priestly character of the nation was represented formally in the tribe of Levi. The distinctive duti…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:6-8
Only a portion of the Levites were engaged in the service of the sanctuary; the rest lived in their towns throughout the country. It might happen, however, that a Levite, moved by pious feeling, would come to the place…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:6-8
Love to the sanctuary. God loves those who love the sanctuary. I. LOVE TO THE SANCTUARY SEEN. 1. In desire for it (Deuteronomy 18:6). 2. In pain at being deprived of its ordinances (Psalms 42:1-7; Psalms 63:1-11.; 84.).…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Was it possible that a people so blessed with Divine institutions, should ever be in any danger of making those their teachers whom God had made their captives? They were in danger; therefore, after many like cautions,…
Idolatrous Customs of the Canaanites. (b. c. 1451.)
IDOLATROUS CUSTOMS OF THE CANAANITES. (B. C. 1451.) One would not think there had been so much need as it seems there was to arm the people of Israel against the infection of the idolatrous customs of the Canaanites. Wa…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Divination forbidden. The process of divination, in its different forms here referred to—"divination," "observing the heavenly bodies," "enchantment," "witchcraft," "charming," "consultation of spirits," "sorcery," and…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Gross superstition the alternative of true religion. The popular superstitions of every age are very seductive. Our only safeguard against them is complete loyalty to the living God. The indwelling Spirit is a Guide and…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Magic. I. A STERN PROHIBITION OF CANAANITISH PRACTICES. The practice of magic is known to have been extensively developed in ancient Egypt and Chaldea. Numerous indications occur of its existence among the Canaanites (e…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Spiritualism condemned. In the verses forming this paragraph, there are nine terms or phrases, each with its own special meaning, £ pointing to some pagan superstition, against which Moses is warning the people. The var…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:9
The abominations of these nations; i.e. certain forms of superstitious usage by which the heathen sought to procure the favor of their deities, to obtain from them direction and counsel, and to penetrate into the hidden…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:9-22
Moses was not only the leader and ruler of the people, he was also the medium through which God communicated with the people, gave them his laws, and conveyed to them his word and will. In this respect his place could b…