17,) and to whom the Jews then promised to hearken, and pay obedience to, as they had done before to Moses.

But others understand them to be a promise of a succession of prophets, to whom the Jews might upon all occasions have recourse; and one or the other of these seems to be the certain meaning of the place.
From this consideration, that from the context it appears Moses was giving the Jews directions of immediate use; and, therefore, in promising a prophet to them, to whom they should hearken, he seems to intend an immediate prophet who might be of use to the Jews, and answer their common exigencies, and not a prophet two thousand years to come.
But I take the words to promise a succession of prophets, and for that sense wherein Grotius and Le Clerc, and most of the Jews, take them.

I shall give my reasons, for this, and show that they do not necessarily refer to Jesus Christ.
Moses, in the verses preceding this prophecy in the same chapter, (Deut.xviii.

9--14) tells the Israelites from God, that "when they came into Canaan, they should not learn to do after, the abominations of the people thereof; and, particularly, that there should not be found among them any one that useth divination, or an observer of times, &c., or a consulter with familiar spirits, &c.
For all, says he, "that do these things are an abomination to the Lord; and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive these people out from before thee.

For these nations which thou shalt possess hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners.