👉 And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be [tried]:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 21:5. It’s a really important passage about responsibility and leadership within the Jewish community. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that certain priests (specifically, the sons of Levi – which was a group of leaders) are chosen to be responsible for handling important matters and resolving conflicts within the Jewish people. It’s like appointing someone to be a referee or mediator in a situation. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near…” – This refers back to a group of leaders called the Sons of Levi, who were crucial in carrying out God’s commands and keeping the laws. “…for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him…” - The Lord (God) specifically chose these priests to serve as helpers and guides for the people. It's a special relationship of service and devotion. “and to bless in the name of the LORD…” – This is the key part! The priests are given the power to declare God’s will, to say things that have significance and impact on the community. They can pronounce blessings or judgments. “…and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried.” - This means they have a responsibility to address disputes, disagreements, and any problems that arise within the community. They are entrusted with the ability to settle these issues through their words and actions – essentially, they’re responsible for making sure things are handled fairly and correctly. What does this mean practically? Historically, this verse highlights a system of accountability and responsibility within the Jewish community. It emphasizes that leaders are chosen to be involved in important decisions and to ensure justice and righteousness within their people. In short: It's a call for responsible leadership and a commitment to resolving conflicts through God’s word and guidance. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts further? Give you some historical context about this verse?

👉 "Okay, let's take this Deuteronomy 21:5 scenario up a notch! It's about a group of young Hebrews who come to the Israelite city to learn more about God's laws. They ask Deuteronomy the law of divorce. Now, you know, not everyone in the Bible is as religious or wise as Moses. So, Deuteronomy responds with a sneer, 'I don't have time for this one, I'm busy writing the next one.'

"Or even more unsettlingly, if you ask Deuteronomy to write a law about the Sabbath, he'd say, 'Look at it. This is so important that God has written down all those rules! So if we're going to do something on the Sabbath, we have to be very careful and don't mess it up.'" This joke isn't just for fun; it's actually a humorous and edgy take on the concept of the law in the Bible.