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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 33:8 Concerning Levi he said: "Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/33-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/05_Deu_33_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 33:8 - Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Concerning Levi he said: Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/33-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/33-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/33.htm">Chapter 33</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-7.htm" title="Deuteronomy 33:7">◄</a> Deuteronomy 33:8 <a href="/deuteronomy/33-9.htm" title="Deuteronomy 33:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/33.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/33.htm">New International Version</a> About Levi he said: &#8220Your Thummim and Urim belong to your faithful servant. You tested him at Massah; you contended with him at the waters of Meribah. <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/33.htm">New Living Translation</a> Moses said this about the tribe of Levi: “O LORD, you have given your Thummim and Urim—the sacred lots— to your faithful servants the Levites. You put them to the test at Massah and struggled with them at the waters of Meribah. <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/33.htm">English Standard Version</a> And of Levi he said, “Give to Levi your Thummim, and your Urim to your godly one, whom you tested at Massah, with whom you quarreled at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/33.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/33.htm">King James Bible</a> And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/33.htm">New King James Version</a> And of Levi he said: “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim be with Your holy one, Whom You tested at Massah, And with whom You contended at the waters of Meribah, <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/33.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Of Levi he said, “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man, Whom You tested at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/33.htm">NASB 1995</a> Of Levi he said, &#8220Let Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man, Whom You proved at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/33.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And of Levi he said, “Let Thy Thummim and Thy Urim belong to Thy godly man, Whom Thou didst prove at Massah, With whom Thou didst contend at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/33.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Of Levi he said, “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your holy one, Whom You tested at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/33.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Of Levi he said, “Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man [Aaron], Whom You tested and proved at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/33.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He said about Levi: Your Thummim and Urim belong to your faithful one; you tested him at Massah and contended with him at the Waters of Meribah. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/33.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He said about Levi: Your Thummim and Urim belong to Your faithful one; You tested him at Massah and contended with him at the waters of Meribah. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/33.htm">American Standard Version</a> And of Levi he said, Thy Thummim and thy Urim are with thy godly one, Whom thou didst prove at Massah, With whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/cev/deuteronomy/33.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> At Massah and Meribah Spring, the LORD tested you, tribe of Levi. You were faithful, and so the priesthood belongs to the Levi tribe. <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/33.htm">English Revised Version</a> And of Levi he said, Thy Thummim and thy Urim are with thy godly one, Whom thou didst prove at Massah, With whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/33.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> About the tribe of [Levi]he said, "Your Thummim and Urim belong to your faithful people. You tested your people at Massah. You quarreled with them at the oasis of Meribah. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/33.htm">Good News Translation</a> About the tribe of Levi he said: "You, LORD, reveal your will by the Urim and Thummim Through your faithful servants, the Levites; You put them to the test at Massah And proved them true at the waters of Meribah. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/33.htm">International Standard Version</a> About Levi he said: "Let your Thummim and Urim be with the man to whom you showed gracious love, whom you tested at Massah and with whom you struggled at the waters of Meribah, <a href="/net/deuteronomy/33.htm">NET Bible</a> Of Levi he said: Your Thummim and Urim belong to your godly one, whose authority you challenged at Massah, and with whom you argued at the waters of Meribah. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/33.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Of Levi he said, "Give to Levi your Thummim and your Urim to your faithful one, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you strove at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/33.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/33.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/33.htm">World English Bible</a> About Levi he said, “Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you contended at the waters of Meribah. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/33.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And of Levi he said: Your Perfections and your Lights [are] for your pious one, "" Whom You have tried in Massah, "" You strive with him at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/33.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And of Levi he said: -- Thy Thummim and thy Urim are for thy pious one, Whom Thou hast tried in Massah, Thou dost strive with Him at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/33.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And to Levi he said, Thy Truth and thy Light to the godly man whom they tried in the trial; thou wilt contend with him at the water of contention.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/33.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> To Levi also he said: Thy perfection, and thy doctrine be to thy holy man, whom thou hast proved in the temptation, and judged at the waters of contradiction : <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/33.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Likewise, to Levi he said: “Your perfection and your doctrine are for your holy man, whom you have proven by temptation, and whom you have judged at the Waters of Contradiction. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/33.htm">New American Bible</a> Of Levi he said: Give to Levi your Thummim, your Urim to your faithful one; Him you tested at Massah, contended against him at the waters of Meribah. <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/33.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And of Levi he said: Give to Levi your Thummim, and your Urim to your loyal one, whom you tested at Massah, with whom you contended at the waters of Meribah;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/33.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And of Levi he said, Let your consecration and your light be upon the just one whom thou didst prove in trials and whom thou didst test at the waters of Mesotha; <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/33.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And to Levi he said: “Your perfection and your light belong to the Holy Man whom you tested in the trials and you tested him at the waters of Metsutha—contention;<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/33.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And of Levi he said: Thy Thummim and Thy Urim be with Thy holy one, Whom Thou didst prove at Massah, With whom Thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/33.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And to Levi he said, Give to Levi his manifestations, and his truth to the holy man, whom they tempted in the temptation; they reviled him at the water of strife. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=9507" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/33.htm">Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes</a> …7And concerning Judah he said: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.” 8<a href="/hebrew/3878.htm" title="3878: ū·lə·lê·wî (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him. From lavah; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob.">Concerning Levi</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he said:</a> <a href="/hebrew/8550.htm" title="8550: tum·me·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of tom; perfections, i.e. One of the epithets of the objects in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete Truth.">“Give Your Thummim to Levi</a> <a href="/hebrew/224.htm" title="224: wə·’ū·re·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plur of 'uwr; lights; Urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate.">and Your Urim</a> <a href="/hebrew/2623.htm" title="2623: ḥă·sî·ḏe·ḵā (Adj-msc:: 2ms) -- Kind, pious. From chacad; properly, kind, i.e. pious.">to Your godly</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lə·’îš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">one,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/5254.htm" title="5254: nis·sî·ṯōw (V-Piel-Perf-2ms:: 3ms) -- To test, try. A primitive root; to test; by implication, to attempt.">You tested</a> <a href="/hebrew/4532.htm" title="4532: bə·mas·sāh (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A place in the desert where Isr. rebelled. The same as maccah; Massah, a place in the Desert.">at Massah</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: tə·rî·ḇê·hū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3ms) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">and contested</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">at</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê (N-mpc) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/4809.htm" title="4809: mə·rî·ḇāh (N-proper-fs) -- Place of strife, two places in the desert. The same as mriybah; Meribah, the name of two places in the Desert.">of Meribah.</a> 9He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/28-30.htm">Exodus 28:30</a> And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD. <a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a> He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.” <a href="/leviticus/8-8.htm">Leviticus 8:8</a> Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. <a href="/1_samuel/28-6.htm">1 Samuel 28:6</a> He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. <a href="/numbers/18-20.htm">Numbers 18:20-24</a> Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ... <a href="/1_chronicles/23-13.htm">1 Chronicles 23:13</a> The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever. <a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4-7</a> Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. / True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. ... <a href="/1_samuel/2-28.htm">1 Samuel 2:28</a> And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites. <a href="/numbers/3-5.htm">Numbers 3:5-10</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. / They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle. ... <a href="/1_kings/2-26.htm">1 Kings 2:26-27</a> Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” / So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli. <a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Hebrews 7:11-17</a> Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ... <a href="/hebrews/5-1.htm">Hebrews 5:1-4</a> Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. / He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. / That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. ... <a href="/revelation/1-6.htm">Revelation 1:6</a> who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen. <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. <a href="/hebrews/9-4.htm">Hebrews 9:4</a> containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And of Levi he said, Let your Thummim and your Urim be with your holy one, whom you did prove at Massah, and with whom you did strive at the waters of Meribah;Let thy<a href="/exodus/28-30.htm">Exodus 28:30,36</a> And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually… <a href="/leviticus/8-8.htm">Leviticus 8:8</a> And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.<a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a> And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.with thy<a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Leviticus 21:7</a> They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.<a href="/numbers/16-5.htm">Numbers 16:5</a> And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.<a href="/2_chronicles/23-6.htm">2 Chronicles 23:6</a> But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.prove at<a href="/deuteronomy/8-2.htm">Deuteronomy 8:2,3,16</a> And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no… <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a> And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?<a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13</a> This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-29.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-7.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-3.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-12.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-22.htm">Massah</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-51.htm">Meribah</a> <a href="/numbers/27-14.htm">Mer'ibah</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-9.htm">Pious</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-16.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-4.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-7.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/numbers/26-9.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-16.htm">Test</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/leviticus/8-8.htm">Thummim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-5.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Urim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-51.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/22-18.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/joshua/2-13.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/joshua/3-5.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/joshua/13-14.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Massah</a> <a href="/psalms/81-7.htm">Meribah</a> <a href="/psalms/81-7.htm">Mer'ibah</a> <a href="/psalms/4-3.htm">Pious</a> <a href="/judges/2-22.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-39.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-6.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/judges/2-22.htm">Test</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-39.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-41.htm">Thummim</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-39.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-41.htm">Urim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-13.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 33</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/33-1.htm">The majesty of God</a> 6. <a href="/deuteronomy/33-6.htm">The blessings of the twelve tribes</a> 26. <a href="/deuteronomy/33-26.htm">The excellence of Israel</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/33.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/33.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Concerning Levi he said: This phrase introduces the blessing given to the tribe of Levi by Moses. Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, was set apart for religious duties. The Levites were responsible for the tabernacle and later the temple services, emphasizing their unique role in Israel's spiritual life. This blessing is part of Moses' final words to the tribes of Israel before his death, similar to Jacob's blessings in <a href="/genesis/49.htm">Genesis 49</a>.Give Your Thummim to Levi: The Thummim, along with the Urim, were sacred lots used by the high priest to discern God's will. They were kept in the breastplate of judgment worn by the high priest (<a href="/exodus/28-30.htm">Exodus 28:30</a>). This phrase signifies the Levites' role in seeking divine guidance for the nation, highlighting their spiritual leadership and responsibility in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel.and Your Urim to Your godly one: The Urim, like the Thummim, was used for divine decision-making. "Your godly one" refers to the Levites, who were set apart for holy service. This phrase underscores the Levites' dedication to God and their role as intermediaries between God and the people. The use of Urim and Thummim is seen in various biblical accounts, such as in <a href="/1_samuel/28-6.htm">1 Samuel 28:6</a>, where Saul seeks guidance.whom You tested at Massah: Massah, meaning "testing," refers to an event in <a href="/exodus/17.htm">Exodus 17:1-7</a> where the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord by demanding water. This testing is a reminder of the Israelites' lack of faith and the challenges faced by Moses and the Levites in leading a rebellious people. It highlights the Levites' endurance and faithfulness under pressure.and contested at the waters of Meribah: Meribah, meaning "quarreling," is another location where the Israelites complained about the lack of water (<a href="/numbers/20.htm">Numbers 20:1-13</a>). This event is significant because Moses struck the rock to bring forth water, an act that led to his being barred from entering the Promised Land. The Levites' involvement in these events underscores their role in mediating between God and the people, as well as the challenges of leadership. The rock at Meribah is also seen as a type of Christ, who provides living water (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">1 Corinthians 10:4</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/l/levi.htm">Levi</a> One of the twelve tribes of Israel, set apart for priestly duties and service to God. The Levites were responsible for the spiritual leadership and maintenance of the tabernacle. 2. <a href="/topical/t/thummim_and_urim.htm">Thummim and Urim</a> Sacred lots used by the high priest to discern God's will. These were kept in the breastplate of judgment worn by the high priest. 3. <a href="/topical/m/massah.htm">Massah</a> A place where the Israelites tested God by doubting His provision, as recorded in <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a>. 4. <a href="/topical/m/meribah.htm">Meribah</a> Another location where the Israelites quarreled with Moses and tested God, leading to Moses striking the rock to bring forth water (<a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a>, <a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13</a>). 5. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader of the Israelites who delivered this blessing to the tribes of Israel before his death.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_guidance.htm">Divine Guidance</a> The Urim and Thummim symbolize the need for seeking God's guidance in our decisions. Just as the high priest sought God's will, we should seek His direction through prayer and Scripture. <a href="/topical/t/testing_and_faithfulness.htm">Testing and Faithfulness</a> The events at Massah and Meribah remind us of the importance of trusting God even in difficult circumstances. Testing can reveal our faithfulness and reliance on God. <a href="/topical/p/priestly_role_of_believers.htm">Priestly Role of Believers</a> As believers, we are called to be a "royal priesthood" (<a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a>). Like the Levites, we have a responsibility to serve God and others, maintaining spiritual integrity and leadership. <a href="/topical/l/learning_from_past_mistakes.htm">Learning from Past Mistakes</a> The Israelites' experiences at Massah and Meribah serve as lessons for us to avoid grumbling and doubt. Instead, we should cultivate gratitude and trust in God's provision.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_33.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 33</a> <a href="/q/how_to_resolve_levite_priestly_shifts.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8–11 assigns the Levites to priestly duties, yet biblical accounts elsewhere suggest shifts in priestly lines; how do we resolve this discrepancy? </a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_urim_and_thummim.htm">What are the Urim and Thummim?</a> <a href="/q/what_occurred_at_meribah_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Meribah in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_priests_corrupted_covenant.htm">Malachi 2:7–8 – Where is the historical or archaeological support that the priests actually corrupted God’s covenant in this manner? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/33.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) And of Levi.--Next to Joseph, this tribe has the largest share in Moses' last words, as we might naturally expect, it being his own tribe. The character of the priest is the principal subject. The blessing may be thus paraphrased: "Let thy Thummim and thy Urim (the chief high-priestly ornaments) be ever with some saintly man of thine, like him whom thou (Israel) didst tempt in Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah (Moses' own departed brother Aaron is alluded to, for the people murmured against them both in both places), like him (Eleazar or Phinehas) who said to his father and to his mother, 'I have not seen him,' &c. These are the priests that shall teach Jacob thy judgments and Israel thy law." The conduct of the tribe of Levi at Sinai is alluded to, when they stood by Moses and slew the idolaters. Who headed them on that occasion we are not told. Eleazar or Phinehas may be intended. The conduct of Phinehas (in Numbers 25) is also a case in point. As Rashi observes, "his father and his mother, his brethren and children" cannot be taken literally, because the tribe of Levi on the whole was faithful. The fathers, mothers, brethren, and children chiefly belonged to the other tribes.Let thy Thummim and thy Urim.--See <a href="/exodus/28-30.htm" title="And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron's heart, when he goes in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel on his heart before the LORD continually.">Exodus 28:30</a>. "Thy Thummim and thy Urim" may refer to Israel, or to Levi, or to Jehovah Himself. In the last case, He must be thought to have tried Levi at Massah, and striven with Moses and Aaron at the waters of Meribah. It is not at all easy to distribute the pronouns with certainty in this speech.If the writer of Deuteronomy was unconscious of any difference between priest and Levite, how is the mention of Urim and Thummim to be explained?<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/33.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 8-11. - The blessing on Levi is also in the form of a prayer. In Jacob's blessing, Simeon is joined with Levi, but Moses passes him over altogether, probably because, as Jacob foretold, he was to be scattered among his brethren (<a href="/genesis/49-7.htm">Genesis 49:7</a>), and so lose his tribal individuality. Simeon, however, is included in the general blessing pronounced on Israel; and as this tribe received a number of towns within the territory of Judah (<a href="/joshua/19-2.htm">Joshua 19:2-9</a>), it was probably regarded as included in the blessing on that tribe. Thy Thummim and thy Urim; thy Right and thy Light (cf. <a href="/exodus/28-30.htm">Exodus 28:30</a>). The high priest wore the breast-plate on which these were placed when he went in before the Lord; and this is here represented as the prerogative of the whole tribe. Thy holy one; i.e. Levi, the tribe-father, representing the whole tribe to which the blessing applies; hence in the following verses the verb passes into the plural. For "holy one," it would be better to read "pious" or "godly one;" literally, the man thy pious one. Some would render "the man thy favored one," or "the man of thy friendship;" but this is wholly arbitrary, the word (חָסִיד) has no such meaning. To explain this more particularly, reference is made to the trials at Massah and the waters of Meribah (strife), when the people rebelled and murmured against Moses and Aaron, whereby the piety of these men was put to the test, and in them, the heads of the tribe of Levi, the whole tribe was proved. (On Massah, see <a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">Exodus 17:1-7</a>; and on the waters of strife, see <a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">Numbers 20:1-13</a>.) In these trials, Levi had proved himself faithful and godly, having risen up in defense of the honor of Jehovah, and in support of his covenant, though in the latter case both Moses and Aaron stumbled. Who said unto his father and to his mother, etc. This refers to what is narrated in <a href="/exodus/32-26.htm">Exodus 32:26-29</a>, when the Levites drew their swords against their brethren at the command of Moses, to execute judgment without respect of person, because of the sin of the people in the matter of the golden calf (cf. also <a href="/numbers/25-8.htm">Numbers 25:8</a>, and, for the principle here implicitly commended, see <a href="/matthew/10-37.htm">Matthew 10:37</a>; <a href="/matthew/19-29.htm">Matthew 19:29</a>; <a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26</a>). Because of their zealous devotion to the claims and service of the Lord, the dignity of the priesthood had been conferred on this tribe; and to them belonged the high office of being instructors of the people in Divine things, and of presenting the sacrifices of the people to the Lord. For those entrusted with such an office, nothing was more to be desired than that they should be blessed with power rightly to discharge the duties of their office, that their service should be accepted with favor, and that their enemies and haters should be foiled and rendered impotent; and for this Moses prays on their behalf. <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Concerning Levi וּלְלֵוִ֣י (ū·lə·lê·wî) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3878.htm">Strong's 3878: </a> Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him he said: אָמַ֔ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “[Give] Your Thummim [to Levi] תֻּמֶּ֥יךָ (tum·me·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8550.htm">Strong's 8550: </a> Perfections and Your Urim וְאוּרֶ֖יךָ (wə·’ū·re·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_224.htm">Strong's 224: </a> Part of the high priest's breastplate to Your godly חֲסִידֶ֑ךָ (ḥă·sî·ḏe·ḵā) Adjective - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2623.htm">Strong's 2623: </a> Kind, pious one, לְאִ֣ישׁ (lə·’îš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person whom אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that You tested נִסִּיתוֹ֙ (nis·sî·ṯōw) Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5254.htm">Strong's 5254: </a> To test, to attempt at Massah בְּמַסָּ֔ה (bə·mas·sāh) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4532.htm">Strong's 4532: </a> Massah -- a place in the desert where Israelites rebelled and contested תְּרִיבֵ֖הוּ (tə·rî·ḇê·hū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend at עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the waters מֵ֥י (mê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen of Meribah. מְרִיבָֽה׃ (mə·rî·ḇāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4809.htm">Strong's 4809: </a> Meribah -- 'place of strife', two places in the desert <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 33:8 Of Levi he said Your Thummim (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 33:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 33:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 33:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 33:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>