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Deuteronomy 17:9-11
And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: …

Deuteronomy 24:8
Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them,so ye shall observe to do.

Leviticus 10:11
And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

they shall put incense.

Exodus 30:7,8
And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it…

Numbers 16:40,46
To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, whichis not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses…

1 Samuel 2:28
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israelto be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

before thee [heb] at thy nose

Leviticus 1:9,13,17
But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar,to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD…

Leviticus 9:12,13
And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar…

Psalm 51:19
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

and Your law to Israel;
The law given to Israel was central to their identity as God's chosen people. It included moral, ceremonial, and civil laws that governed every aspect of life. The Levites were responsible for ensuring that the Israelites understood and adhered to these laws. This teaching function is seen as a precursor to the New Covenant, where the law is written on the hearts of believers (Jeremiah 31:33,Hebrews 8:10). The emphasis on teaching the law underscores the importance of Scripture in guiding the lives of believers.

he will set incense before You
Incense in the Old Testament was symbolic of prayer and worship (Psalm 141:2,Revelation 8:3-4). The Levites, particularly the priests, were tasked with burning incense on the altar of incense in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple (Exodus 30:7-8). This act represented the prayers of the people ascending to God. The use of incense is a type of Christ's intercessory work, as He continually intercedes for believers before the Father (Hebrews 7:25).

and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.
Whole burnt offerings were a type of sacrifice where the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar (Leviticus 1:3-9). This offering symbolized complete dedication and atonement for sin. The Levites facilitated these offerings, which were central to the sacrificial system. The whole burnt offering is a type of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, as He offered Himself completely for the atonement of humanity's sins (Ephesians 5:2,Hebrews 10:10). The altar, a place of sacrifice, points to the cross where Jesus was crucified, fulfilling the sacrificial system once and for all.

Moses blesses Levi with a clear mandate: the tribe is responsible for passing on God’s righteous rules to the covenant family.

• Levi’s calling inExodus 32:26-29 andNumbers 3:11-13 sets the foundation—God chooses this tribe to guard the sanctuary and to handle sacred things.

• Teaching is central. In2 Chronicles 17:8-9, Levites travel through Judah “teaching in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the LORD with them.”

•Nehemiah 8:7-8 shows Levites “making the meaning clear” so the people could understand.

• Living instruction mattered as much as spoken words (Malachi 2:6-7). Faithful teaching preserves Israel from drift; silence lets confusion grow (Hosea 4:6).

The second phrase widens the audience from Jacob (the patriarch’s immediate descendants) to the whole nation.

• Levi’s influence touches every tribe at every altar, festival, and gate (Deuteronomy 31:9-13).

•Psalm 78:5-7 reminds parents to recount God’s law so that “a generation yet to come would know.” The Levites model this task.

• When Israel obeys the law delivered through Levi, blessing follows (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). When they reject it, discipline comes (2 Chronicles 36:15-17).

• Jesus later upholds this teaching ministry, urging hearers to “listen to those who sit in Moses’ seat—but do not do what they do” when hypocrisy surfaces (Matthew 23:2-3).

The blessing shifts from word ministry to worship ministry. Incense pictures intercession and praise rising to God.

•Exodus 30:7-8 assigns Aaron’s sons to burn incense “morning after morning” and “when evening comes.” Consistency reflects constant dependence on God.

•Psalm 141:2 links prayer to incense: “May my prayer be set before You like incense.” The Levites’ ritual action teaches Israel how to approach God spiritually.

•Luke 1:8-10 shows the same pattern in the temple centuries later—Zechariah offers incense while “the whole multitude… was praying.” Word and worship intertwine.

•Revelation 8:3-4 reveals heavenly continuity: incense mingled with “the prayers of the saints” before God’s throne.

Finally, Levi mediates atoning sacrifice. Whole burnt offerings are entirely consumed, symbolizing total consecration.

•Leviticus 1 outlines this offering: the worshiper places a hand on the animal, signifying substitution; the priest then “makes atonement on his behalf.”

•Hebrews 9:22 reminds us “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” These sacrifices foreshadow Christ’s once-for-all offering (Hebrews 10:10-12).

• The altar ministry safeguards the nation from judgment (Numbers 16:46-48) and keeps fellowship with God open (Psalm 51:19).

• The Levites embody the gospel pattern—teaching truth, leading worship, securing atonement—until the true High Priest arrives (John 1:29).

Deuteronomy 33:10 sketches Levi’s three-fold calling: instruct the people in God’s unchanging word, lift continual prayerful worship, and present blood sacrifices that point to ultimate redemption. When these ministries flourish together, the covenant community thrives—mind, heart, and conscience anchored in the living God.

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