Deu 33:9-10 | TNotes | STEP | 33:9 guarded your covenant: The verse alludes to the incident of the gold calf at Mount Sinai (Exod 32:25-29 ) and to the affair at Baal-peor (Num 25:6-9 ). 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.

bExod 32:25-29►

cNum 25:6-9►

e31:9-13►

fNum 16:39-40►

g2 Chr 26:16-21►

‏ Deuteronomy 33:9-10

33:9 ^a guarded your covenant: The verse alludes to the incident of the gold calf at Mount Sinai (Exod 32:25-29 ^b) and to the affair at Baal-peor (Num 25:6-9 ^c). 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 ^d 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 ^e).

• present incense: This ministry was limited to Levitical priests (Num 16:39-40 ^f). 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 ^g).