Deuteronomy – Chapter 18

Old Testament22 Verses

Chapter Summary

"The priests and Levites, and all that are of the same tribe, shall have no part nor inheritance with the rest of Israel, because they shall…" — so begins Deuteronomy 18. Across its 22 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's covenant promises. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1The priests and Levites, and all that are of the same tribe, shall have no part nor inheritance with the rest of Israel, because they shall eat the sacrifices of the Lord, and his oblations,

2And they shall receive nothing else of the possession of their brethren: for the Lord himself is their inheritance, as he hath said to them.

3This shall be the priest's due from the people, and from them that offer victims: whether they sacrifice an ox, or a sheep, they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the breast:

4The firstfruits also of corn, of wine, and of oil, and a part of the wool from the shearing of their sheep.

5For the Lord thy God hath chosen him of all thy tribes, to stand and to minister to the name of the Lord, him and his sons for ever.

6If a Levite go out of any one of the cities throughout all Israel, in which he dwelleth, and have a longing mind to come to the place which the Lord shall choose,

7He shall minister in the name of the Lord his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, that shall stand at that time before the Lord.

8He shall receive the same portion of food that the rest do: besides that which is due to him in his own city, by succession from his fathers.

9When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee, beware lest thou have a mind to imitate the abominations of those nations.

10Neither let there be found among you any one that shall expiate his son or daughter, making them to pass through the fire: or that consulteth soothsayers, or observeth dreams and omens, neither let there be any wizard,

11Nor charmer, nor any one that consulteth pythonic spirits, or fortune tellers, or that seeketh the truth from the dead.

12For the Lord abhorreth all these things, and for these abominations he will destroy them at thy coming.

13Thou shalt be perfect, and without spot before the Lord thy God.

14These nations, whose land thou shalt possess, hearken to soothsayers and diviners: but thou art otherwise instructed by the Lord thy God.

15The Lord thy God will raise up to thee a PROPHET of thy nation and of thy brethren like unto me: him thou shalt hear:

16As thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the assembly was gathered together, and saidst: Let me not hear any more the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see any more this exceeding great fire, lest I die.

17And the Lord said to me: They have spoken all things well.

18I will raise them up a prophet out of the midst of their brethren like to thee: and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.

19And he that will not hear his words, which he shall speak in my name, I will be the revenger.

20But the prophet, who being corrupted with pride, shall speak in my name things that I did not command him to say, or in the name of strange gods, shall be slain.

21And if in silent thought thou answer: How shall I know the word that the Lord hath not spoken?

22Thou shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the name of the Lord, and it cometh not to pass: that thing the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath forged it by the pride of his mind: and therefore thou shalt not fear him.

Important Verses in Deuteronomy 18

The priests and Levites, and all that are of the same tribe, shall have no part nor inheritance with the rest of Israel, because they shall eat the sacrifices of the Lord, and his oblations,

Deuteronomy 18:1

For the Lord thy God hath chosen him of all thy tribes, to stand and to minister to the name of the Lord, him and his sons for ever.

Deuteronomy 18:5

When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee, beware lest thou have a mind to imitate the abominations of those nations.

Deuteronomy 18:9

Thou shalt be perfect, and without spot before the Lord thy God.

Deuteronomy 18:13

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Deuteronomy was written with the new generation of Israel about to cross the Jordan into Canaan in view. Chapter 18 of 34 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 22 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "The priests and Levites, and all that are of the same tribe, shall have no part nor inheritance with the rest of…" It concludes: "Thou shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the name of the Lord, and it cometh not to pass:…" In terms of historical background, Deuteronomy means 'second law': Moses' final sermons on the plains of Moab, renewing the Sinai covenant for the generation about to enter Canaan. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Deuteronomy around Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

Who Wrote It

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC

When It Was Written

Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, Deuteronomy 18 delivers commandments and ritual instructions given under the old covenant. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The priests and Levites, and all that are of the same tribe, shall have no part nor inheritance with the rest of Israel, because they shall eat the sacrifices…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1032). Here, Jesus cited Deuteronomy's command to love God as the greatest commandment (CIC 2083). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

Reflection for Today

The central section of Deuteronomy—Chapter 18 of 34—opens a particular moment in the story of covenant renewal and the call to love God.

According to Catholic teaching, Jesus cited Deuteronomy's command to love God as the greatest commandment (CIC 2083). This chapter especially highlights the fear of the Lord as wisdom, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 791).

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1095) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Deuteronomy Chapter 18 about?

Deuteronomy 18 contains 22 verses. It opens with "The priests and Levites, and all that are of the same tribe, shall have no part nor inheritance with the rest of…" and closes with "Thou shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the name of the Lord, and it cometh not to pass:…". The book as a whole is covenant discourses and law.

What is a key verse in Deuteronomy 18?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The priests and Levites, and all that are of the same tribe, shall have no part nor inheritance with the rest of Israel, because they shall eat the sacrifices of the Lord, and his…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Deuteronomy and when?

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC. Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

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