Deuteronomy Chapter 18: Verses & Explanations
Verse 5
Verse: 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 sons for ever English Explanation: This verse confirms the divine election of the tribe of Levi. God specifically set them apart from the other twelve tribes to serve as His official ministers. This was not a temporary job but a perpetual covenant for them and their descendants. Urdu Explanation: اس آیت میں بیان کیا گیا ہے کہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے تمام قبیلوں میں سے لاوی کے خاندان کو چنا تاکہ وہ ہمیشہ کے لیے خداوند کے نام سے خدمت انجام دیں۔ یہ عہد ان کی نسلوں کے لیے دائمی تھا۔
Verse 6
Verse: 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 English Explanation: This addresses a Levite living in a rural town who feels a deep spiritual desire to serve at the central Sanctuary. It emphasizes that service should be driven by a sincere heart and devotion. Urdu Explanation: اگر کوئی لاوی اسرائیل کے کسی بھی شہر سے جہاں وہ رہتا ہو پورے دل کی خواہش کے ساتھ اس جگہ (بیت المقدس) آنا چاہے جسے خداوند چنے تو اسے اس کی اجازت ہے۔
Verse 7
Verse: Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God as all his brethren the Levites do which stand there before the LORD English Explanation: Once at the Sanctuary, this visiting Levite is granted the same rights and authority to minister as the local Levites. There is equality in the service of God for those called to it. Urdu Explanation: وہ وہاں اپنے خدا کے نام سے اسی طرح خدمت کر سکے گا جیسے اس کے باقی لاوی بھائی وہاں خداوند کے حضور کھڑے ہو کر خدمت کرتے ہیں۔
Verse 8
Verse: They shall have like portions to eat beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony English Explanation: This ensures the Levite is provided for. He receives an equal share of the offerings for his sustenance, regardless of any private family property he might have sold back home. Urdu Explanation: انہیں کھانے کے لیے برابر کا حصہ ملے گا۔ اس کے علاوہ جو کچھ اس نے اپنے آبائی ورثے کی فروخت سے حاصل کیا ہو وہ اس کا اپنا حق ہے۔
Verse 9
Verse: When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations English Explanation: As Israel enters Canaan, they are warned not to adopt the pagan customs and detestable practices of the inhabitants of the land. Holiness requires separation from worldly evils. Urdu Explanation: جب تم اس سرزمین میں داخل ہو جو خداوند تمہارا خدا تمہیں دے رہا ہے تو وہاں کی قوموں کے گھناؤنے کاموں کی پیروی نہ کرنا۔
Verse 10
Verse: There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire or that useth divination or an observer of times or an enchanter or a witch English Explanation: This verse strictly forbids child sacrifice and various forms of occultism or fortune-telling. These practices represent a lack of faith in God’s sovereignty. Urdu Explanation: تمہارے درمیان کوئی ایسا نہ ہو جو اپنے بیٹے یا بیٹی کو آگ میں سے گزارے یا جو فال گیری جادوگری یا شگون نکالنے کا کام کرے۔
Verse 11
Verse: Or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits or a wizard or a necromancer English Explanation: Further prohibitions are listed against mediumship, communicating with the dead (necromancy), and magic. God’s people must seek truth from Him alone, not dark spirits. Urdu Explanation: نہ ہی کوئی جادو ٹونا کرنے والا ارواح سے مشورہ کرنے والا یا مردوں سے حال پوچھنے والا تمہارے درمیان ہو۔
Verse 12
Verse: For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee English Explanation: The reason for the expulsion of the Canaanites was their involvement in these occult sins. God views these acts as morally and spiritually repulsive. Urdu Explanation: کیونکہ جو ایسے کام کرتے ہیں وہ خداوند کے نزدیک گھناؤنے ہیں اور انہی کاموں کی وجہ سے خداوند انہیں تمہارے سامنے سے نکال رہا ہے۔
Verse 13
Verse: Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God English Explanation: This is a call to total integrity and blamelessness. To be “perfect” here means to be wholehearted and single-minded in devotion to God. Urdu Explanation: تم خداوند اپنے خدا کے ساتھ کامل (وفادار اور بے عیب) رہنا۔
Verse 14
Verse: For these nations which thou shalt possess hearkened unto observers of times and unto diviners but as for thee the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do English Explanation: While other nations look to superstitious signs, Israel is forbidden from doing so. God provides a better way for them to know His will. Urdu Explanation: دوسری قومیں تو جادوگروں اور فال گیروں کی سنتی تھیں لیکن خداوند تمہارے خدا نے تمہیں اس کی اجازت نہیں دی۔
Verse 15
Verse: 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 shall hearken English Explanation: A pivotal Messianic prophecy. Moses promises that God will send another Prophet who will act as a mediator. In the New Testament, this is identified as Jesus Christ. Urdu Explanation: خداوند تمہارا خدا تمہارے ہی درمیان سے میرے جیسا ایک نبی پیدا کرے گا تم اس کی بات سننا۔
Verse 16
Verse: According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly saying Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God neither let me see this great fire any more that I die not English Explanation: This refers back to Mount Sinai (Horeb), where the people were terrified of God’s direct voice and requested a human mediator. Urdu Explanation: یہ وہی مطالبہ ہے جو تم نے حورب کے پہاڑ پر کیا تھا کہ ہم خدا کی آواز براہ راست نہ سنیں تاکہ مر نہ جائیں۔
Verse 17
Verse: And the LORD said unto me They have well spoken that which they have spoken English Explanation: God accepted the people’s request for a mediator, agreeing that the intensity of His direct presence was too much for them to bear. Urdu Explanation: اور خداوند نے مجھ سے کہا کہ جو کچھ انہوں نے کہا وہ ٹھیک ہے۔
Verse 18
Verse: I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him English Explanation: God reiterates the promise of a Prophet who will speak with absolute divine authority, carrying the very words of God. Urdu Explanation: میں ان کے لیے ان کے بھائیوں میں سے تیرے جیسا ایک نبی برپا کروں گا اور اپنا کلام اس کے منہ میں ڈالوں گا۔
Verse 19
Verse: And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name I will require it of him English Explanation: Disobedience to this promised Prophet carries grave consequences. God Himself will hold the people accountable for rejecting His Word through that Prophet. Urdu Explanation: اور جو کوئی اس نبی کی بات نہیں سنے گا جو وہ میرے نام سے کہے گا میں اس سے حساب لوں گا۔
Verse 20
Verse: But the prophet which shall presume to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak or that shall speak in the name of other gods even that prophet shall die English Explanation: False prophets—those who lie about God’s message or speak for other gods—face the ultimate penalty. Divine revelation is a serious matter. Urdu Explanation: لیکن اگر کوئی نبی میرے نام سے ایسی بات کہے جس کا میں نے اسے حکم نہیں دیا یا غیر معبودوں کے نام سے بات کرے تو وہ قتل کیا جائے۔
Verse 21
Verse: And if thou say in thine heart How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken English Explanation: A practical question: How can the people distinguish between a true message from God and a fake one? Urdu Explanation: اور اگر تم اپنے دل میں کہو کہ ہم کیسے پہچانیں کہ یہ بات خداوند نے نہیں کہی؟
Verse 22
Verse: 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 LORD hath not spoken but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously thou shalt not be afraid of him English Explanation: The test of a prophet is accuracy. If a prediction fails to come true, the prophet is a fraud. Do not fear the threats or authority of such a person. Urdu Explanation: اگر کوئی نبی خداوند کے نام سے کچھ کہے اور وہ پورا نہ ہو تو سمجھ لو کہ وہ بات خداوند نے نہیں کہی بلکہ اس نبی نے خود سے کہی ہے اس سے ڈرنے کی ضرورت نہیں۔
Deuteronomy Chapter 19: Verses & Explanations
Verse 1
Verse: When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee and thou succeedest them and dwellest in their cities and in their houses English Explanation: This sets the stage for the law. Once Israel has conquered and settled in the promised land, they must establish a system of justice. Urdu Explanation: جب خداوند تمہارا خدا ان قوموں کو ہلاک کر دے اور تم ان کے شہروں اور گھروں میں رہنے لگو۔
Verse 2
Verse: Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it English Explanation: God commands the setting aside of three specific “Cities of Refuge” to ensure justice and prevent the shedding of innocent blood. Urdu Explanation: تو تم اپنے ملک کے درمیان تین شہر الگ کر لینا جو خداوند تمہارے قبضے کے لیے دے رہا ہے۔
Verse 3
Verse: Thou shalt prepare thee a way and divide the coasts of thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit into three parts that every slayer may flee thither English Explanation: Infrastructure is important. Roads must be maintained so that someone who accidentally kills another can reach safety quickly. Urdu Explanation: تم راستے درست کرنا اور اپنے ملک کو تین حصوں میں تقسیم کرنا تاکہ ہر قاتل (غیر ارادی طور پر قتل کرنے والا) وہاں بھاگ کر پناہ لے سکے۔
Verse 4
Verse: And this is the case of the slayer which shall flee thither that he may live Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly whom he hated not in time past English Explanation: The privilege of the City of Refuge is strictly for those who commit manslaughter (accidental killing), not intentional murder. Urdu Explanation: یہ پناہ گاہ اس کے لیے ہے جس سے نادانی میں قتل ہو جائے اور اس کی مقتول سے پہلے سے کوئی دشمنی نہ ہو۔
Verse 5
Verse: As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree and the head slippeth from the helve and lighteth upon his neighbour that he die he shall flee unto one of those cities and live English Explanation: This provides a classic example of an accident: an axe head flying off and hitting someone. In such cases, the law protects the survivor. Urdu Explanation: مثال کے طور پر اگر کوئی لکڑیاں کاٹتے ہوئے کلہاڑی چلائے اور کلہاڑی دستے سے نکل کر کسی کو جا لگے اور وہ مر جائے تو وہ شخص ان شہروں میں بھاگ کر اپنی جان بچا سکتا ہے۔
Verse 6
Verse: Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer while his heart is hot and overtake him because the way is long and slay him whereas he was not worthy of death inasmuch as he hated him not in time past English Explanation: The law prevents “blood feuds.” It protects the accidental killer from being killed by a grieving relative before a fair trial can take place. Urdu Explanation: تاکہ خون کا بدلہ لینے والا غصے میں آ کر اس کا پیچھا نہ کرے اور اسے قتل نہ کر دے جبکہ وہ موت کا حقدار نہیں تھا۔
Verse 7
Verse: Wherefore I command thee saying Thou shalt separate three cities for thee English Explanation: God repeats the command to emphasize its importance for the social and moral order of the nation. Urdu Explanation: اسی لیے میں تمہیں حکم دیتا ہوں کہ اپنے لیے تین شہر الگ کر لو۔
Verse 8
Verse: And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast as he hath sworn unto thy fathers and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers English Explanation: Provision is made for future growth. If Israel’s borders expand as promised, the system of justice must expand with it. Urdu Explanation: اور اگر خداوند تمہاری سرحدیں وسیع کر دے جیسا کہ اس نے تمہارے باپ دادا سے وعدہ کیا تھا۔
Verse 9
Verse: If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them which I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God and to walk ever in his ways then shalt thou add three cities more for thee beside these three English Explanation: Obedience leads to expansion. If Israel stays faithful, they are to add three more Cities of Refuge, making six in total, ensuring safety is accessible to everyone. Urdu Explanation: اگر تم میرے احکامات پر عمل کرو اور خدا سے محبت رکھو تو ان تین شہروں کے علاوہ تین اور شہر بھی پناہ کے لیے بنا لینا۔