Deuteronomy 18

“The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou…” The line’s distinctive content terms include corn, first, firstfruit. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD , him and his…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.” The line’s distinctive content terms include charmer, consulter, familiar. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD : and because of these abominations the LORD thy God…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear…” Naming According keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, well. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD , if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which…” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, prophet, thing. Its relationship to verses 21 shows what work it does in this passage.