Deuteronomy 33:9
New International Version
He said of his father and mother, ‘I have no regard for them.’ He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over your word and guarded your covenant.

New Living Translation
The Levites obeyed your word and guarded your covenant. They were more loyal to you than to their own parents. They ignored their relatives and did not acknowledge their own children.

English Standard Version
who said of his father and mother, ‘I regard them not’; he disowned his brothers and ignored his children. For they observed your word and kept your covenant.

Berean Standard Bible
He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.

King James Bible
Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.

New King James Version
Who says of his father and mother, ‘I have not seen them’; Nor did he acknowledge his brothers, Or know his own children; For they have observed Your word And kept Your covenant.

New American Standard Bible
Who said of his father and his mother, ‘I did not consider them’; And he did not acknowledge his brothers, Nor did he regard his own sons, For they kept Your word, And complied with Your covenant.

NASB 1995
Who said of his father and his mother, ‘I did not consider them’ And he did not acknowledge his brothers, Nor did he regard his own sons, For they observed Your word, And kept Your covenant.

NASB 1977
Who said of his father and his mother, ‘I did not consider them’; And he did not acknowledge his brothers, Nor did he regard his own sons, For they observed Thy word, And kept Thy covenant.

Legacy Standard Bible
Who said of his father and his mother, ‘I did not consider them’; And he did not recognize his brothers, Nor did he know his own sons, For they kept Your word, And they observed Your covenant.

Amplified Bible
Who said of his father and mother, ‘I did not consider them’; Nor did he acknowledge his brothers, Nor did he regard his own sons, For the priests observed Your word, And kept Your covenant.

Christian Standard Bible
He said about his father and mother, “I do not regard them.” He disregarded his brothers and didn’t acknowledge his sons, for they kept your word and maintained your covenant.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said about his father and mother,” I do not regard them.” He disregarded his brothers and didn’t acknowledge his sons, for they kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.

American Standard Version
Who said of his father, and of his mother, I have not seen him; Neither did he acknowledge his brethren, Nor knew he his own children: For they have observed thy word, And keep thy covenant.

Contemporary English Version
Protecting Israel's agreement with the LORD was more important to you than the life of your father or mother, or brothers or sisters, or your own children.

English Revised Version
Who said of his father, and of his mother, I have not seen him; Neither did he acknowledge his brethren, Nor knew he his own children: For they have observed thy word, And keep thy covenant.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They said that they didn't know their father and mother. They didn't recognize their own brothers. They didn't acknowledge their own children. But they obeyed your word and were faithful to the terms of your promise.

Good News Translation
They showed greater loyalty to you Than to parents, brothers, or children. They obeyed your commands And were faithful to your covenant.

International Standard Version
the one who told his mother and father, 'I don't know them,' and who would neither acknowledge his brothers nor know his own children. For they kept your word and guarded your covenant.

Majority Standard Bible
He said of his father and mother, ?I do not consider them.? He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.

NET Bible
He said to his father and mother, "I have not seen him," and he did not acknowledge his own brothers or know his own children, for they kept your word, and guarded your covenant.

New Heart English Bible
who said of his father, and of his mother, 'I have not seen him;' Neither did he acknowledge his brothers, Nor did he know his own children: For they have observed your word, and keep your covenant.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who said to his father and to his mother, I have not seen him, neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor know his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.

World English Bible
He said of his father, and of his mother, ‘I have not seen him.’ He didn’t acknowledge his brothers, nor did he know his own children; for they have observed your word, and keep your covenant.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who is saying of his father and his mother, "" I have not seen him; And he has not discerned his brothers, "" And he has not known his sons; For they have observed Your saying, "" And they keep Your covenant.

Young's Literal Translation
Who is saying of his father and his mother, I have not seen him; And his brethren he hath not discerned, And his sons he hath not known; For they have observed Thy saying, And Thy covenant they keep.

Smith's Literal Translation
He saying to his father and to his mother, I saw him not, and his brethren he knew not, and he knew not his sons; for they watched thy sayings and they will keep thy covenant.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who hath said to his father, and to his mother: I do not know you; and to his brethren: I know you not: and their own children they have not known. These have kept thy word, and observed thy covenant,

Catholic Public Domain Version
He has said to his father and to his mother, ‘I do not know you,’ and to his brothers, ‘I will disregard you.’ And they have not known their own sons. Such as these have kept your word and have observed your covenant:

New American Bible
He said of his father and mother, “I have no regard for them”; His brothers he would not acknowledge, and his own children he did not recognize. For they kept your words, and your covenant they upheld.

New Revised Standard Version
who said of his father and mother, “I regard them not”; he ignored his kin, and did not acknowledge his children. For they observed your word, and kept your covenant.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who said of his father and of his mother, I have not seen them; neither did he recognize his brothers nor know his own children; for they have observed thy word and kept thy covenant.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who said about his father and about his mother, ‘I did not see him’, and he did not recognize his brothers and he did not know his children, for they gave heed to your Word and they kept your covenant.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who said of his father, and of his mother: 'I have not seen him'; Neither did he acknowledge his brethren, Nor knew he his own children; For they have observed Thy word, And keep Thy covenant.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Who says to his father and mother, I have not seen thee; and he knew not his brethren, and he refused to know his sons: he kept thine oracles, and observed thy covenant.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes
8Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. 9He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. 10He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.…

Cross References
Exodus 32:26-29
So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. / He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. ...

Matthew 10:37
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;

Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.

Malachi 2:4-6
Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. / True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.

Numbers 25:11-13
“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal. / Declare, therefore, that I am granting him My covenant of peace. / It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

Mark 3:31-35
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. They sent someone in to summon Him, / and a crowd was sitting around Him. “Look,” He was told, “Your mother and brothers are outside, asking for You.” / But Jesus replied, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” ...

John 12:25
Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Luke 18:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

1 Samuel 2:27-30
Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house? / And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites. / Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’ ...

Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.

Matthew 12:46-50
While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. / Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” / But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” ...

John 7:5
For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ


Treasury of Scripture

Who said to his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brothers, nor knew his own children: for they have observed your word, and kept your covenant.

Who said

Exodus 32:25-29
And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) …

Leviticus 10:6
And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.

Leviticus 21:11
Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;

I have not

Genesis 29:32
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

1 Chronicles 17:17
And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

Job 37:24
Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

for they

Jeremiah 18:18
Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

Malachi 2:5-7
My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name…

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Deuteronomy 33
1. The majesty of God
6. The blessings of the twelve tribes
26. The excellence of Israel














He said of his father and mother
This phrase highlights the Levites' commitment to God above familial ties. In Hebrew culture, honoring one's parents is a fundamental commandment (Exodus 20:12). However, the Levites' dedication to God required them to prioritize divine service over family obligations. This reflects a profound spiritual truth: allegiance to God sometimes demands difficult choices, even at the cost of personal relationships. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies a deliberate and conscious declaration, emphasizing the Levites' intentional devotion.

I have no regard for them
The phrase underscores the Levites' radical commitment to God. The Hebrew word for "regard" (נָכַר, nakar) can mean to recognize or acknowledge. This suggests a conscious decision to place God's commands above familial loyalty. Historically, the Levites demonstrated this during the incident of the golden calf (Exodus 32:25-29), where they sided with Moses and God against their own kin. This act of prioritizing divine allegiance over familial bonds serves as a powerful example of faithfulness and dedication.

He did not acknowledge his brothers
The Levites' role required them to transcend tribal and familial affiliations. The Hebrew root for "acknowledge" (יָדַע, yada) implies intimate knowledge or recognition. By not acknowledging their brothers, the Levites exemplified a higher calling to serve God and the community of Israel as a whole. This reflects the Christian principle of spiritual kinship, where believers are called to prioritize their relationship with God and the broader faith community over earthly ties.

or recognize his own children
This phrase further emphasizes the Levites' singular focus on their divine mission. The Hebrew word for "recognize" (בִּין, bin) suggests understanding or discerning. By not recognizing their children, the Levites demonstrated that their primary identity and purpose were found in their service to God. This mirrors Jesus' teaching in Matthew 10:37, where He calls His followers to love Him above all else, even family. It challenges believers to consider the cost of discipleship and the call to prioritize God's kingdom.

but he watched over Your word
The Levites' primary responsibility was to safeguard and teach God's word. The Hebrew root for "watched over" (שָׁמַר, shamar) means to guard, protect, or keep. This reflects their role as custodians of the Torah and spiritual leaders of Israel. Their dedication to God's word serves as an inspiration for believers to diligently study, uphold, and live by Scripture. It underscores the importance of being stewards of God's truth in a world that often challenges biblical values.

and guarded Your covenant
The Levites were entrusted with the sacred duty of maintaining the covenant between God and Israel. The Hebrew word for "guarded" (נָצַר, natsar) implies careful protection and preservation. This highlights their role in ensuring that the people remained faithful to God's commands and covenantal promises. For Christians, this serves as a reminder of the New Covenant established through Christ, calling believers to faithfully uphold and live out the teachings of Jesus in their daily lives. The Levites' example encourages a steadfast commitment to God's promises and a life dedicated to His service.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He said
הָאֹמֵ֞ר (hā·’ō·mêr)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

of his father
לְאָבִ֤יו (lə·’ā·ḇîw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

and mother,
וּלְאִמּוֹ֙ (ū·lə·’im·mōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

‘I do not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

consider them.’
רְאִיתִ֔יו (rə·’î·ṯîw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

He disregarded
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

his brothers
אֶחָיו֙ (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

and did not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדָ֑ע (yā·ḏā‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

his own sons,
בָּנָ֖יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

for
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they kept
שָֽׁמְרוּ֙ (šā·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

Your word
אִמְרָתֶ֔ךָ (’im·rā·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 565: Utterance, speech, word

and maintained
יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃ (yin·ṣō·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5341: To watch, guard, keep

Your covenant.
וּבְרִֽיתְךָ֖ (ū·ḇə·rî·ṯə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 33:9 Who said of his father (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 33:8
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