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 mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose;

DEUTERONOMY 18:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 18:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 18:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 18:6 explains that if a Levite, who is living in any town throughout Israel, decides with all his heart to go to the special place the LORD will choose, he is allowed to do so. This verse makes it clear that Levites could leave their hometowns and serve at the central place of worship if they truly desired.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites about the rights and roles of the Levites, the tribe set apart for religious duties. The situation is about Levites who live scattered among the tribes, not just those already serving at the sanctuary. The verse highlights that serving God at the chosen place (eventually Jerusalem) was open to any Levite who earnestly wanted to go, not just a select few.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 18:6

  • לֵוִי (levi, "Levite"): This word refers to a member of the tribe of Levi, who were given special religious responsibilities but did not have their own territory. The verse emphasizes their mobility and right to serve.
  • נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, "mind" or "soul"): Here, "with all the desire of his mind" uses נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh), which often means "life," "soul," or "inner being." The verse stresses that the Levite's motivation must be genuine and wholehearted.
  • מָקוֹם (maqom, "place"): This word refers to the specific location that the LORD will choose for worship. At this time, it was not yet named, but it would later be Jerusalem. The focus is on God’s choice, not human preference.
  • יִבְחָר (yivchar, "choose"): This verb underlines that the place of worship is determined by God’s selection, reinforcing the centralization of worship in Israel’s future.

Why Deuteronomy 18:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that all Levites, not just those born into certain families or already serving, had the opportunity to participate in temple service if they truly desired, showing inclusivity within the tribe.
  • It highlights the importance of serving God from genuine desire ("with all the desire of his mind"), not just obligation or duty.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage about the support and rights of Levites, showing that God provided for their spiritual and practical needs as they served at the central sanctuary.

Where else these words appear

“desire” Hebrew H185 · used in 7 verses

  • Deuteronomy 12:15 Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.
  • Deuteronomy 12:21 If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.
  • Jeremiah 2:24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

“sojourned” Hebrew H1481 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • Numbers 22:3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
  • Psalms 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.