Deuteronomy 14 27

Deuteronomy 14:27 kjv

And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

Deuteronomy 14:27 nkjv

You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.

Deuteronomy 14:27 niv

And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

Deuteronomy 14:27 esv

And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.

Deuteronomy 14:27 nlt

And do not neglect the Levites in your town, for they will receive no allotment of land among you.

Deuteronomy 14 verses

Deuteronomy 14 27 Meaning

Deuteronomy 14:27 instructs the Israelites to remember and provide for the Levites who reside in their towns. The verse mandates that the Levite must not be neglected, underscoring their dependence on the community's support due to their unique status of having no territorial inheritance alongside the other tribes of Israel. Their sustenance and portion came from God's provision through the tithes and offerings of the people, emphasizing a mutual covenantal responsibility within the community.

Deuteronomy 14 27 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 14 outlines various aspects of holiness for Israel, focusing on distinct practices that set them apart as God's chosen people. Following instructions on clean and unclean foods (vv. 3-21) and the importance of tithing annually (vv. 22-26) to demonstrate God's sovereignty over their produce, verse 27 specifically addresses the support of the Levite. This placement within the tithing regulations is crucial: the tithe was not merely a religious obligation but a practical mechanism for communal provision, especially for those, like the Levites, who were uniquely consecrated to the service of God and lacked traditional means of economic support through land ownership. The historical context reflects a nascent nation transitioning from nomadic life to settled agricultural existence, where a robust social welfare system, rooted in divine command and communal responsibility, was essential for stability and spiritual well-being. It stands in contrast to cultures where temple functionaries were supported solely by centralized royal or temple endowments; in Israel, it was a collective responsibility of every household.

Deuteronomy 14 27 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A conjunction that links this command directly to the preceding discussion about bringing tithes to a central place for consumption (Deut 14:22-26). It emphasizes that care for the Levite is an integral part of Israel's communal and religious obligations.
• the Levite (הַלֵּוִ֛י - hal-le-wi): Refers specifically to members of the tribe of Levi, who were divinely appointed for spiritual and temple service. This distinct identification highlights their unique role and dependence. Their identity was intertwined with their service to God and their dependence on His people.
• that is within thy gates (אֲשֶׁר־ בִּשְׁעָרֶ֖יךָ - ’ă-šer biš-‘ā-re-ḵā): "Gates" refer to the city or town. This phrase signifies that the command to care for the Levite extended beyond the central sanctuary, encompassing any Levite living within the various communities across Israel. It emphasized local and ongoing responsibility for Levites in daily life, not just during pilgrimage feasts. It denotes the accessibility of Levites to the community and vice versa.
• thou shalt not forsake him (לֹ֣א תַעַזְבֶ֑נּוּ - lō tə‘az-ḇen-nū):
  • "forsake" (עָזַב - ’azav): To abandon, leave behind, neglect, or let go. This is a strong prohibition, indicating a grave omission of duty if the Levite were left unprovided for. It's more than passive indifference; it implies an active dereliction of a divine command.
  • This phrase emphasizes a moral and covenantal obligation rather than mere charitable goodwill. It implies constant, intentional support, ensuring their livelihood and capacity to perform their spiritual duties without worldly distractions or economic hardship.
• for he hath no part (כִּ֣י אֵֽין־ לֹ֠וֹ חֵ֨לֶק - kî ’ên- lōw ḥê-leq):
  • "for" (כִּי - kî): Provides the rationale, the reason for the command.
  • "no part" (אֵֽין־ לֹ֠וֹ חֵ֨לֶק - ’ên- lōw ḥê-leq): Refers to their unique status of not receiving a territorial allotment of land during the division of Canaan among the tribes. This meant they had no independent means of sustenance through farming, unlike other Israelites. Their "part" or "portion" was to be the Lord himself, provided through the tithes and offerings of His people.
• nor inheritance with thee (וְנַֽחֲלָ֖ה אִתָּֽךְ - wə-na-ḥă-lāh ’it-tāḵ):
  • "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה - naḥălāh): Usually refers to an ancestral land inheritance, passed down through generations.
  • This phrase reiterates and strengthens the point about their lack of a fixed, tribal land possession. Their inheritance was spiritual, found in their service to God, which then made them reliant on God's provision mediated through the other tribes' obedience to the tithing laws. It underscored that their full-time occupation was God's service, and therefore, their material needs became a communal responsibility.

Deuteronomy 14 27 Bonus section

The distinctive status of the Levites—having God as their "inheritance"—was not an economic disadvantage but a spiritual privilege, one that simultaneously bound the rest of Israel to their sacred duty of support. This unique economic model tested the faith of the Levites in God's provision and the faithfulness of the people in their giving. This systemic reliance on community tithes served as a visible and tangible reminder to all Israelites that all their abundance ultimately came from God. Neglecting the Levite meant robbing God Himself, as warned in Malachi 3:8-10. This structure highlighted God's meticulous care for those dedicated to His service and established a fundamental principle of giving in God's economy—that those who sow spiritual things deserve to reap material things.

Deuteronomy 14 27 Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:27 provides a clear divine mandate for the community's responsibility towards the Levites. It is not presented as an optional act of charity but as a necessary and just consequence of their unique position. Since Levites had no territorial inheritance and were thus unable to sustain themselves through farming or traditional means like the other tribes, God designated the tithes and offerings of Israel as their portion. This arrangement served multiple purposes: it freed the Levites to devote themselves entirely to spiritual instruction, priestly duties, and the administration of the Tabernacle/Temple; it also provided a constant spiritual test and act of worship for the rest of Israel, teaching them generosity, dependence on God's provision, and communal interdependence. The instruction to "not forsake him" carries significant weight, implying that failure to provide for the Levite was not merely a social slight but a neglect of God's direct command, effectively depriving His dedicated servants of their divinely appointed means of livelihood. This verse exemplifies the covenantal reciprocal relationship: Israel received spiritual blessings and teaching from the Levites, and in return, they were obligated to provide material support. In practical terms, this principle is echoed in the New Testament concerning the support of those who minister the Gospel (1 Cor 9:13-14, Gal 6:6).