Deu 33:8 | TNotes | STEP | 33:8 Levi was Jacob’s third son by Leah (Gen 29:34 ). The Levites, particularly those descended from Aaron, were entrusted with the priesthood (see Exod 28:1 ; 32:29 ; Num 3:9 ). • Thummim and Urim were precious stones embedded in or suspended from the breastpiece of the ephod, a garment worn by the chief priest. These stones could be consulted to determine God’s will. Their names may be translated “perfections” and “lights,” respectively (see study note on Exod 28:30). • Massah means “[place of] testing,” referring to an incident when the people ran out of water and tested the Lord (see study note on Deut 6:16; Exod 17:1-7 ). • Meribah means “[place of] contention,” referring to another occasion when the people of Israel fought with the Lord until he brought them water from a rock (Num 20:13 , 24 ).

a33:8►

bGen 29:34►

cExod 28:1►

d32:29►

eNum 3:9►

fExod 17:1-7►

gNum 20:13►

h24►

‏ Deuteronomy 33:8

33:8 ^a Levi was Jacob’s third son by Leah (Gen 29:34 ^b). The Levites, particularly those descended from Aaron, were entrusted with the priesthood (see Exod 28:1 ^c; 32:29 ^d; Num 3:9 ^e).

• Thummim and Urim were precious stones embedded in or suspended from the breastpiece of the ephod, a garment worn by the chief priest. These stones could be consulted to determine God’s will. Their names may be translated “perfections” and “lights,” respectively (see study note on Exod 28:30).

• Massah means “[place of] testing,” referring to an incident when the people ran out of water and tested the Lord (see study note on Deut 6:16; Exod 17:1-7 ^f).

• Meribah means “[place of] contention,” referring to another occasion when the people of Israel fought with the Lord until he brought them water from a rock (Num 20:13 ^g, 24 ^h).