Deuteronomy 21:5
And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:
Original Language Analysis
וְנִגְּשׁ֣וּ
shall come near
H5066
וְנִגְּשׁ֣וּ
shall come near
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
1 of 20
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֮
And the priests
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֮
And the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 20
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
בְּנֵ֣י
the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֑ה
for them the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
for them the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 20
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
לְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹ
to minister
H8334
לְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹ
to minister
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
10 of 20
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
וּלְבָרֵ֖ךְ
unto him and to bless
H1288
וּלְבָרֵ֖ךְ
unto him and to bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
11 of 20
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
in the name
H8034
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
in the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
12 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֑ה
for them the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
for them the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּיהֶ֥ם
and by their word
H6310
פִּיהֶ֥ם
and by their word
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
15 of 20
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
16 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
1 Chronicles 23:13The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.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.Malachi 2:7For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.Deuteronomy 18:5For 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.Deuteronomy 19:17Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
Historical Context
Levitical priests served throughout Israel's history as religious and legal authorities. Their training in the law made them suitable judges for complex cases requiring divine wisdom.
This role continued until the destruction of the temple ended the Levitical system. Christ's superior priesthood replaces the inadequate Aaronic mediation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does priestly involvement in legal matters teach about integrating worship and justice?
- How does divine appointment of priests establish their authority?
- In what ways does the priestly mediatorial role foreshadow Christ?
- Why is it appropriate that religious authorities oversee ceremonial legal proceedings?
- How has Christ's priesthood superseded the Levitical judicial role?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried. Priestly involvement ensures religious authority oversees this legal-ceremonial ritual. The Levites' presence sanctifies the proceedings and represents God's perspective in determining community innocence.
The phrase the LORD thy God hath chosen establishes divine appointment. Priests serve not by human selection but God's sovereign designation. Their authority derives from divine commission, making their declarations authoritative.
Their dual function - minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD - connects worship and benediction. Priests mediate between God and people, offering worship upward and pronouncing blessing downward. This mediatorial role makes them appropriate authorities for this cleansing ritual.
The statement by their word shall every controversy...be tried gives priests judicial authority. They don't merely perform rituals but adjudicate disputes and determine legal matters. This foreshadows Christ's perfect mediation combining prophet, priest, and king.