Deuteronomy 18 1

Deuteronomy 18:1 kjv

The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance.

Deuteronomy 18:1 nkjv

"The priests, the Levites?all the tribe of Levi?shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and His portion.

Deuteronomy 18:1 niv

The Levitical priests?indeed, the whole tribe of Levi?are to have no allotment or inheritance with Israel. They shall live on the food offerings presented to the LORD, for that is their inheritance.

Deuteronomy 18:1 esv

"The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the LORD's food offerings as their inheritance.

Deuteronomy 18:1 nlt

"Remember that the Levitical priests ? that is, the whole of the tribe of Levi ? will receive no allotment of land among the other tribes in Israel. Instead, the priests and Levites will eat from the special gifts given to the LORD, for that is their share.

Deuteronomy 18 verses

Deuteronomy 18 1 Meaning

Deuteronomy 18:1 establishes a fundamental provision for the Levitical priests and the entire tribe of Levi within ancient Israel. Unlike the other Israelite tribes, they were not to receive a territorial portion or inherited land in Canaan. Their sustenance, their "portion and inheritance," was instead to come directly from the "offerings of the LORD made by fire" (sacrifices and tithes) and from the LORD Himself as their unique heritage. This ensured their complete dedication to divine service, setting them apart from worldly possessions and affairs.

Deuteronomy 18 1 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 18 outlines the provisions for those who minister to the LORD and serves as a strong admonition against the occult and divinatory practices prevalent among the Canaanites, which Israel was forbidden to emulate. This verse specifically introduces the unique economic and social standing of the tribe of Levi. It falls within Moses' final discourses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, reiterating laws and covenants before their entry into Canaan. Historically, the distribution of land was a cornerstone of Israelite society and national identity, tying each tribe to its divinely allotted territory. The Levites' exemption from this traditional land inheritance, therefore, marked them as distinct, highlighting their consecrated role in the spiritual life of the nation, separated from earthly material gains for their full devotion to the sacred.

Deuteronomy 18 1 Word analysis

• The Levitical priests (הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם - hakkohenim hallewiim):

  • hakkohenim (the priests): Refers to those from the tribe of Levi who specifically served in the priesthood, descending from Aaron. This group had unique responsibilities, particularly regarding sacrifices.
  • hallewiim (the Levites): Refers to the entire tribe of Levi, encompassing both the active priests and the non-priestly Levites who served in other capacities (e.g., caring for the tabernacle/temple, musical service, teaching). The original Hebrew syntax "the priests, the Levites" broadly signifies the religious officials coming from the tribe of Levi, indicating that the upcoming law applies to all members of the tribe.

• all the tribe of Levi (כָּל־שֵׁבֶט לֵוִי - kol-shevet Levi):

  • kol-shevet (all the tribe of): Emphasizes that the following regulation applies universally to every individual and family line within the tribe of Levi, distinguishing their standing from that of the other tribes. This reconfirms the scope of the previous phrase, making it clear there is no distinction between specific Levite families or duties concerning land inheritance.

• shall have no portion (לֹא־יִהְיֶה לָהֶם חֵלֶק - lo-yihyeh lahem cheleq):

  • lo-yihyeh (shall not be): A strong negative prohibition.
  • cheleq (portion/share): Refers specifically to an allotment of land during the tribal division of Canaan. Unlike the other eleven tribes who received their own contiguous territory for agricultural sustenance and generational inheritance, the Levites would not receive such an allocation. This sets them apart economically and socially from the rest of the Israelite society, fostering their unique dependency.

• nor inheritance (וְנַחֲלָה - v'nachalah):

  • nachalah (inheritance/possession/heritage): This term often denotes a divinely granted possession, typically referring to land in the context of the promised land. Its absence for the Levites signifies a fundamental difference in how they were to receive their security and prosperity, pointing to a spiritual rather than terrestrial source. It highlights that their established lot in life would not be land, but God himself and the sacred provisions.

• with Israel (עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵל - im-Yisrael):

  • im-Yisrael (with Israel): Explicitly contrasts the Levites with the other Israelite tribes, underscoring their distinctive economic and social standing. While they were in Israel, their means of living were not of Israel's common practice.

• they shall eat (יֹאכֵלוּן - yo'kelun):

  • yo'kelun (they shall eat): Refers to their primary means of sustenance. Their livelihood would be derived directly from sacred offerings and tithes, rather than from agricultural yield or other produce from inherited land. This implies divine provision channeled through the community.

• the offerings of the LORD made by fire (אִשֵּׁי יְהוָה - ishey Adonai):

  • ishey Adonai (fire offerings of the LORD): Refers to the various sacrifices (burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, guilt offerings) that were presented to God and involved burning on the altar. Specific portions of these offerings were designated for the priests and Levites (e.g., breast, thigh, and hides from peace offerings, or unleavened bread from grain offerings). These were the concrete source of their daily provision.

• and His portion (וְנַחֲלָתוֹ - v'nachalato):

  • v'nachalato (and His inheritance/His portion): This is a critical theological statement. It connects directly to God as their supreme and ultimate provision and inheritance. It indicates that God Himself is the unique and incomparable "possession" of the Levites, implying a deeper spiritual wealth and a closer relationship with the divine, surpassing any earthly real estate. This term is echoed in Numbers 18:20.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi": This comprehensive designation makes it clear that the regulation applies to every Levite, emphasizing their shared sacred duty and the unified nature of their support system. It ensures that neither the high priest nor the lowliest Levite servant is excluded.
  • "shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel": This phrase firmly establishes the Levites' distinct lack of a traditional territorial legacy. It highlights a purposeful separation from the land-based economic structure of the other tribes, ensuring their distinct role and preventing conflicts of interest that could arise from managing earthly estates alongside divine service.
  • "they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire and His portion": This clause provides the alternative sustenance mechanism. It transitions from what they won't have (land) to what they will have (divine provision). It beautifully marries the tangible, material support from offerings to the profound, spiritual truth of God Himself being their ultimate inheritance and sustainer.

Deuteronomy 18 1 Bonus section

The divine decree for the Levites' sustenance established a crucial balance within Israelite society. Their reliance on tithes and offerings (specified in Numbers 18 and Leviticus 6-7) ensured that their provision was a tangible reflection of the entire nation's faithfulness to the covenant. If Israel failed to bring its offerings, the Levites would suffer, creating an immediate and visible consequence of spiritual neglect. Conversely, the priests and Levites were constrained from accumulating vast landholdings, which prevented the potential for abuse of power or entanglement in secular land disputes. This protected their sanctity and allowed them to serve as impartial mediators and spiritual guides for the tribes, their sole vested interest being the upholding of God's law. Furthermore, this system served as a powerful reminder to all Israel that ultimate security and inheritance come not from earthly possessions, but from a covenant relationship with the LORD. While they lived among the tribes in specific cities, their sustenance constantly pointed towards a greater, divine legacy, providing an archetype for future believers whose "portion" is spiritual rather than worldly.

Deuteronomy 18 1 Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:1 succinctly sets forth the divine directive regarding the maintenance of the Levites and priests. By disinheriting them from tribal land allotments, God ensured their undivided devotion to His service. This arrangement fostered a unique spiritual dependency, with their livelihood stemming directly from the sacrifices and offerings of the people made to the LORD, thus reinforcing the concept that God Himself was their supreme inheritance. This system provided tangible daily sustenance while symbolizing an elevated spiritual relationship and calling. It freed the Levites from the responsibilities of agriculture and property management, allowing them to focus entirely on their roles as teachers of the law, judges, and caretakers of the sacred. The prosperity of the Levites was therefore intertwined with the faithfulness of the nation in bringing their offerings, making the system a spiritual thermometer for Israel's adherence to God's commands. This principle, of supporting those dedicated to spiritual service, transcends the specific context and finds echoes in the New Testament with apostles affirming that those who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel. It underscores the concept of spiritual labor deserving spiritual support.