Deuteronomy 33:8-11
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).
33:9 i guarded your covenant: The verse alludes to the incident of the gold calf at Mount Sinai (Exod 32:25-29 j) and to the affair at Baal-peor (Num 25:6-9 k). The Levites’ love for the Lord and loyalty to his covenant eclipsed their devotion to their own families, averted God’s judgment, and brought them the honor expressed here.
33:10 l They teach your regulations ... instructions: In addition to carrying out priestly duties such as sacrifices and otherwise assisting at the Tabernacle and the Temple, the Levites had the task of teaching the Torah (31:9-13 m).
• present incense: This ministry was limited to Levitical priests (Num 16:39-40 n). Later, when King Uzziah entered the Temple to offer incense, he was roundly condemned for his arrogant breach of the priests’ privilege and was afflicted by a skin disease for the rest of his life (2 Chr 26:16-21 o).
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