Deuteronomy 33:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The grace bestowed upon the Levites is immense, as noted by Moses in his blessing: "Give unto Levi his men, give unto Levi those that are known unto him, give unto Levi the lot of his election, and the truth thereof, unto the holy man, who was tempted with temptations, and evil spoken over the waters of controversy. He that saith unto his father and mother, I know thee not, neither acknowledge his brethren, nor deny his sons: he keepeth thy words, and keepeth thy covenant" (Deuteronomy 33:8-9). It is possible that Levi serves as a representation of the Lord. These individuals are His chosen ones, led by Him, with hearts free of deceit and dishonesty. They embrace His teachings and internalize them, much like Mary did (cf. Luke 2:19, 51).

This passage offers insight into the ideal of priestly perfection. A priest is called to set aside all earthly concerns and fully embrace the sacred vocation. Consequently, the Lord allotted no inheritance to the Levites, permitting them to forgo personal ownership in favor of receiving offerings and tithes from the people. This provision allowed them to be unburdened by worldly matters and to carry out their holy responsibilities with purity. For instance, Aaron, the inaugural high priest, was prohibited from burying his deceased children.

Levi, positioned as the third, was exalted with the office of priest, not solely because his father pledged to offer the tithe—Levi being the tenth in lineage if counted from the youngest (for if reckoned from the oldest, the tenth would be a child of a concubine)—but also due to his sanctity and for having dedicated himself to the glory of God through the sacrifice of his kin. In awe, Moses proclaimed to him during his blessings, ‘Speak to your mother and father, saying, I have not seen you, nor do I recognize your brothers; uphold the words of the Lord.’

A person who desires a deeper understanding of God must, out of devotion, forgo relationships based solely on physical connections, as earthly knowledge can hinder one’s divine insight. Consequently, those who seek a stronger bond with the Creator of all must distance themselves from familial ties, for the individuals they leave behind in their pursuit of God become objects of greater affection as they renounce temporary, mortal feelings. Even among those to whom we are closely linked, our ability to serve should take precedence, as this love can ignite passion yet fade away like a fleeting flame. We must acknowledge our earthly connections but reject those that divert our souls from the rightful path.