Who said vnto his father & to his mother, I haue not seene him, neither did hee acknowledge his brethren; nor knew his owne children: for they haue obserued thy word, and kept thy Couenant. Deuteronomy 33:9 (KJV)
Deuteronomy 33:9 is part of Moses’ blessings to the twelve tribes of Israel before his death, and in this particular verse Moses focuses on the tribe of Levi. The Levites were set apart as the priestly tribe, responsible for the service of the tabernacle and the religious duties in Israel.
“And of Levi he said” indicates that Moses is specifically addressing the tribe of Levi, highlighting their unique role and importance among the nations of Israel. The following petition, “Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one” (or “with thee”), refers to the Thummim and Urim—sacred objects used by the high priest to seek God’s guidance and make decisions on matters of national importance. Their exact nature is not fully understood, but they were likely employed in casting lots or a form of divination to discern God’s will, emphasizing the Levites’ role as mediators between God and the people.
The phrase “Whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah” points to two significant incidents during the wilderness journey—Massah (testing) and Meribah (contention)—where the Israelites tested God and quarreled over water (see Exodus 17:1‑7; Numbers 20:1‑13). While the biblical text does not specifically link the Levites to those incidents, the reference in the following verse (Deuteronomy 33:10) underscores the nation’s testing. The Levites, including Aaron, were involved in the broader narrative, and Aaron’s discipline after the Meribah episode illustrates that their leadership was not without flaws.
In summary, Deuteronomy 33:9 underscores the important role of the Levites as the priestly tribe. They were entrusted with the Thummim and Urim, symbols of their authority to seek God’s guidance for the nation. The mention of Massah and Meribah highlights moments of testing for Israel as a whole and reminds readers of the significance of faithful spiritual leaders who carry out their duties with integrity, seeking God’s direction on behalf of the people. This passage calls believers to honor and respect those called to lead and teach in matters of faith.
