Deuteronomy 18:5
For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֛ה
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שְׁבָטֶ֑יךָ
him out of all thy tribes
H7626
שְׁבָטֶ֑יךָ
him out of all thy tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
7 of 15
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
לַֽעֲמֹ֨ד
to stand
H5975
לַֽעֲמֹ֨ד
to stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
8 of 15
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְשָׁרֵ֧ת
to minister
H8334
לְשָׁרֵ֧ת
to minister
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
9 of 15
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
בְּשֵׁם
in the name
H8034
בְּשֵׁם
in the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
10 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֛ה
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ה֥וּא
H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וּבָנָ֖יו
him and his sons
H1121
וּבָנָ֖יו
him and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10:8At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.Numbers 3:10And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Historical Context
God chose Levi's tribe after the golden calf incident when they sided with Moses (Exodus 32:26-29). This choice demonstrated that privilege comes through faithfulness, not birthright alone. Aaron and his sons received the priesthood specifically (Exodus 28:1), while other Levites served as assistants. The phrase 'for ever' governed Israel's covenant age—the Levitical system lasted roughly 1,400 years (1440 BC to AD 70) before its fulfillment in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How should God's sovereign choice of ministers shape our understanding of vocational calling and church leadership?
- What does 'standing to minister in the name of the LORD' teach about the seriousness and accountability of spiritual leadership?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes (כִּי בוֹ בָּחַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ מִכָּל־שְׁבָטֶיךָ)—bachar (chosen) emphasizes divine election, not human qualification. God sovereignly set apart Levi's tribe for perpetual ministry: to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever (la'amod lesharet beshem-YHWH hu uvanav kol-hayamim).
The phrase to stand (la'amod) indicates standing in God's presence as servants before a king. To minister (lesharet) means to serve, attend, officiate in sacred duties. In the name of the LORD means by His authority, as His representatives. This wasn't self-appointed ministry but divinely authorized service. Kol-hayamim (all the days, forever) establishes perpetuity until the Levitical priesthood's fulfillment in Christ.
Hebrews 7-8 reveals Christ as the superior high priest from Judah's tribe, not Levi—chosen by divine oath, not ancestral lineage. The Levitical priesthood, though divinely chosen, was temporary and preparatory. Christ's eternal priesthood after Melchizedek's order supersedes it, but the principle remains: God chooses His ministers, and only those He calls should presume to serve in His name.