Deuteronomy 12:19
17 Within your gates you must not eat the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, the firstborn of your herds or flocks, any of the offerings that you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts.
18 Instead, you must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do,
and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.
20 When the LORD your God expands your territory as He has promised, and you crave meat and say, “I want to eat meat,” you may eat it whenever you want.
21 If the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His Name is too far from you, then you may slaughter any of the herd or flock He has given you, as I have commanded you, and you may eat it within your gates whenever you want.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.
- KJV
- Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
- WEB
- Be careful that you don’t forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.
- ASV
- Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest in thy land.
- DARBY
- Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite all the days thou shalt be in thy land.
- BLB
- Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.
- ÅB
- Vokt deg at du ikke glemmer levitten, så lenge du lever i ditt land!
- OTB
- Vær oppmerksom på å støtte levittene så lenge dere lever i deres land.
- B1930
- Vokt dig at du ikke glemmer levitten, så lenge du lever i ditt land!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Chronicles 31:4–21
Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.
Read in contextNehemiah 10:34–39
We have cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people for the donation of wood by our families at the appointed times each year. They are to bring it to the house of our God to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law.
Read in context2 Chronicles 11:13–14
Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam.
Read in context1 Corinthians 9:10–14
Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 14:27–29
And do not neglect the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.
Read in context