Deuteronomy 18

Notes

[Ver. 3. And the two cheeks and the maw. There is a difference between the Levitical portion here described, and that in Le. 7. 3. The reason of the difference seems to be, that the direction in Leviticus referred to the temporary allowance in the wilderness, that of the text to the permanent provision in Canaan; see De. 12. 1. C.——Delitzsch says, 'That this arrangement was not at variance with the command in Le. 7. 32, sq., but simply enjoins a further gift to the priests on the part of the people, in addition to those portions which were to be given to the Lord for his servants, is sufficiently evident from the context, since the heave-leg and wave-breast belonged to the offerings of Jehovah mentioned in ver. 1, which the priests had received as an inheritance from the Lord; . . . and also from the words of the present command, viz. that the portions mentioned were to be a right on the part of the people, on the part of those who slaughtered slain-offerings. P.]

Ver. 10. [Divination. This appears to be a general name for all the particular forms that follow, viz.—Observer of times. Some derive it from a word signifying a cloud; others, amongst whom is Gesenius, from a word signifying an eye. This is the most probable meaning, and includes every form of threatened injury to person or property from what is called an evil eye.—An enchanter. A pretended diviner by serpents, or the positions and movements of other animals.—A witch. One who resorts to charms, &c., for the injury of another.—A charmer. Most probably those who pretended to charm serpents, and produce strange effects by rhymes and incantations.—Consulter with familiar spirits. According to the Hebrew, a consulter with Ob. Thus, the Pythoness at Delphi, in Greece, pretended to be inspired by Apollo.—Wizard. 'A cunning man,' one who pretended to know secret things, past, present, or future.—Necromancer. One who pretended to consult or raise the dead, as the word signifies.—All these pretended arts are the products of ignorance, the nurses of superstition, and the forerunners and abettors of idolatry, and therefore most righteously condemned of God. C.]

Reflections.—Since God hath provided subsistence for ministers, they ought never willingly to entangle themselves in worldly business—farming, merchandise, or the like: for those who love God's ordinances as they ought, will not grudge to contribute to their support. None ought to supplant another with respect to what the Lord hath allotted him. But a worldly-minded minister is a scandal to his profession—a living lie! God, indeed, most highly regards such ministers as leave their worldly all, and follow him, and do more in the church than men could desire of them. But it is shocking to find in countries privileged with gospel light, affecters of fellowship with devils, in charms, fortune-telling, witchcraft, and the like! and what a mercy it is if God has preserved us from these abominations! But, O! infinite grace! in order to destroy the work, and deliver us from the delusions of the devil, God raises up his Son, a prophet, who knows the whole mind of God, and who reveals a complete system of worship! Blessed are those who hear his voice; and infinite is the hazard and ruin of such as refuse to regard him! But since seducers arise in the church of God, it is necessary to try all, and to censure and punish such as are found notorious impostors.