Deu 18:1-4 | TNotes | STEP | 18:1 The term Levitical priests described the entire tribe of Levi . Technically, however, only Aaron’s descendants were priests. The non-priestly Levites were their assistants (see 12:12 ).

fLev 7:28-34►

‏ Deuteronomy 18:1-4

18:1 ^a The term Levitical priests described the entire tribe of Levi. Technically, however, only Aaron’s descendants were priests. The non-priestly Levites were their assistants (see 12:12 ^b).
18:2 ^c The Lord himself is their special possession: The allotment of the Levites was spiritual, not territorial or material. They possessed the Lord by giving their whole lives to his service. This idea is a remarkable inverse of the idea that Israel was the Lord’s possession (see 7:6 ^d).
18:3 ^e In the dietary fare of ancient Israel, the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach of oxen and sheep were the choice cuts. God’s priestly servants were to be honored by receiving the very best (see Lev 7:28-34 ^f).