Deuteronomy 18

The Prophet like unto Moses

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; Deuteronomy 18:15

Moses prophesies of a coming Prophet like himself — a deliverer, lawgiver and mediator of a covenant. Jesus told the Nephites, 'I am he of whom Moses spake,' and Moroni told Joseph Smith that this Prophet was Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · another scripture interprets it of Him

• quoted by Acts 3:22-23 — Peter quotes the promise ('A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me') and applies it to Jesus.
• quoted by Acts 7:37 — Stephen quotes the same words while testifying of the Just One.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 20:23 — The risen Christ: 'Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake.'
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 22:20-21 — Nephi quotes the promise and declares 'this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel.'
• interpreted by Joseph Smith—History 1:40 — Moroni quoted Acts 3:22–23 and 'said that that prophet was Christ.'
• alluded to by John 6:14 — After the loaves: 'This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.'

Jehovah at Horeb

Jehovah — the covenant name, 'I AM', the premortal Christ

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. Deuteronomy 18:16–17

Israel feared the voice and the fire of Jehovah at Horeb and begged for a mediator to stand between. Their request is the setting for the promise of the Prophet-Mediator in the next verse, fulfilled in Christ, who is Jehovah come in the flesh.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• the same event in Exodus 20:19 — 'Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die' (footnote note16_a).
• the same event in Deuteronomy 5:25 — 'if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die' — Moses' fuller account of the same plea (footnote note16_a).
• the same event in D&C 84:23-24 — Moses sought to sanctify Israel that they might behold the face of God, 'But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence.'

The Prophet like unto Moses

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. Deuteronomy 18:18–19

The LORD Himself promises a Prophet who will speak only the words God puts in His mouth. Jesus taught that He spoke nothing of Himself but what the Father commanded Him; the speaker here may be read as the Father sending the Son, or as Jehovah foretelling His own mortal ministry.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• quoted by Acts 3:22-23 — Peter quotes both the promise and the warning that 'every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.'
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 20:23 — Christ identifies Himself as this Prophet and repeats the warning that those who will not hear shall be cut off.
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 22:21 — Nephi: 'this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel.'
• fulfilled by John 12:49-50 — 'I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say' (footnote note18_b).
• fulfilled by John 8:28 — 'I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things' (footnote note18_b).
• fulfilled by John 17:8 — 'I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me' (footnote note18_b).
• alluded to by John 4:25 — The Samaritan woman's hope of the coming one who 'will tell us all things' — the expectation this promise created (footnote note18_c).