Deuteronomy 18:2 kjv
Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.
Deuteronomy 18:2 nkjv
Therefore they shall have no inheritance among their brethren; the LORD is their inheritance, as He said to them.
Deuteronomy 18:2 niv
They shall have no inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them.
Deuteronomy 18:2 esv
They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them.
Deuteronomy 18:2 nlt
They will have no land of their own among the Israelites. The LORD himself is their special possession, just as he promised them.
Deuteronomy 18 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 18:20 | Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance... I am your portion and your inheritance..." | LORD is the Levites' direct portion. |
| Num 18:21 | “To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe... as their inheritance..." | Tithes provide for Levites. |
| Num 18:24 | "...the tithe which the sons of Israel offer to the LORD... given to the Levites as an inheritance." | Tithes are their specific inheritance. |
| Deut 10:9 | "...Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance..." | Reiteration of God as Levi's inheritance. |
| Josh 13:14 | But to the tribe of Levi, He gave no inheritance; the offerings... of the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance. | God's offerings are Levi's inheritance. |
| Josh 14:3-4 | "...Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes... to the sons of Joseph, he gave two portions... so they gave no portion to the Levites..." | Levites received no land allotment. |
| Josh 21:1-42 | Then the heads of fathers’ houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest... they were given cities to dwell in. | Levites received cities, not land portions. |
| Judg 1:1-26 | Refers to other tribes receiving and failing to fully claim their land portions. | Contrasts with the Levites' situation. |
| Ezek 44:28 | “'I will be their inheritance; you shall give them no possession in Israel... I am their possession.'" | Prophetic affirmation of God as inheritance. |
| Ps 16:5 | The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. | God as the Psalmist's portion and inheritance. |
| Ps 73:26 | My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. | God as an eternal portion. |
| Lam 3:24 | “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” | God as hope and provision. |
| Rom 8:17 | ...and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ... | Believers as heirs of God. |
| Eph 1:11 | In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined... | Spiritual inheritance in Christ. |
| Col 1:12 | ...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints... | Partaking in a spiritual inheritance. |
| Heb 7:12 | For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. | Implies the Levitical order and its provisions. |
| 1 Pet 1:4 | ...to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled... reserved in heaven for you. | Imperishable, heavenly inheritance. |
| Deut 12:12 | “And you shall rejoice... you and your sons... and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you.” | Commanded inclusion of Levites in festivities. |
| Neh 10:37-39 | We will bring the tithes... for the Levites, for the Levites are to receive the tithes... we will not neglect the house of our God. | Restoration of Levitical support by tithes. |
| Neh 13:10 | I also discovered that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers who performed the work had gone back, each to his own field. | Consequences of neglecting Levites' provisions. |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple...? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. | Principle of those serving God living from the service. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse... so that there may be food in My house..." | God's instruction for tithes to sustain His house. |
Deuteronomy 18 verses
Deuteronomy 18 2 Meaning
Deuteronomy 18:2 states that the Levitical priests will not receive a tribal land inheritance like the other Israelite tribes. Instead, their very sustenance and portion come directly from the LORD God. This establishes their unique role as dedicated entirely to divine service, with God Himself being their promised inheritance and provision, in accordance with His earlier commands.
Deuteronomy 18 2 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 18 details instructions concerning various individuals holding positions of spiritual authority and influence within Israel, particularly the priests and Levites. This chapter serves as a transition from the general laws concerning community life to specific regulations for those dedicated to God's service. Verse 2 specifically addresses the economic provision for the Levitical priesthood, building upon the principles outlined in verse 1 regarding their livelihood. Historically, land ownership was the primary source of wealth and social status in ancient Israel. This verse, therefore, highlights a radical distinction for the Levites, setting them apart from the common economic structures of their tribal brethren, emphasizing their full dependence on the LORD and the contributions of the people, rather than land produce. It indirectly warns against syncretism by contrasting Israel's priestly structure with the land-owning temple priests common in surrounding pagan nations.
Deuteronomy 18 2 Word analysis
They: Refers to the Levitical priests and the entire tribe of Levi, as established in the preceding verse (Deut 18:1). It signifies a corporate body set apart for specific duties related to the Tabernacle/Temple.
shall have no inheritance: (Heb. naḥălāh, נַחֲלָה) "Inheritance" here specifically refers to a land allotment within Canaan, as distributed to the other eleven tribes (Num 26:52-56). The denial of this physical inheritance underscores their unique status and role, separating them from the agricultural economy and the associated cares of land management.
among their brothers: Refers to the other tribes of Israel who received specific territories for their tribal and family dwelling (Josh 14:1-5). This highlights the Levitical exception to the general land distribution system of Israel.
the LORD: (Heb. YHWH, יְהוָה) The personal covenant God of Israel. Naming God directly emphasizes that their provision is not accidental or arbitrary but rooted in His divine will and covenant promise. He is the ultimate source and guarantor of their needs.
is their inheritance: This is the core theological statement. Instead of land, God Himself is the "inheritance" of the Levites. This signifies not just a source of provision, but a relationship where God's presence, protection, and provision define their very existence and identity. It shifts the concept of "inheritance" from material possessions to the spiritual and relational realm.
as He told them: Refers back to previous divine commands given to Moses and Aaron regarding the Levites' sustenance. This points to divine consistency and fulfillment of God's word (Num 18:20, 24). It serves as a reminder that this arrangement is not new but an established decree of God.
"They shall have no inheritance among their brothers": This phrase clarifies the unique position of the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, did not receive a dedicated territorial portion when the land of Canaan was divided. This prevented them from being tied down by land ownership and allowed them to be mobile and focused on their service throughout all the tribes of Israel (Deut 33:10). Their livelihood was intrinsically linked to the people's offerings to God.
"the LORD is their inheritance": This is a profound theological statement. It means their portion, their provision, their very future and identity are found directly in God. It teaches radical dependence on God's provision and underscores a special, direct relationship. Their life was defined by their service to God, and God, in turn, sustained them directly, often through the offerings given by the people to Him.
Deuteronomy 18 2 Bonus section
The Levites did receive cities to dwell in, distributed among all the tribes (Num 35:1-8; Josh 21:1-42), along with pasture lands for their animals around those cities, but not territorial tribal land allotments. This ensured their presence across Israel, facilitating their role as teachers of the Law and arbiters of justice, demonstrating God's accessibility throughout the nation. Their landless status symbolized a separation from the world's means of security and a complete devotion to the worship of God and the spiritual well-being of the nation. It highlights a core principle: those dedicated fully to the service of God often have a different "economy" where God Himself is their ultimate security and provision, distinct from worldly patterns of acquiring wealth and status.
Deuteronomy 18 2 Commentary
Deuteronomy 18:2 solidifies the unique and central position of the Levites within Israel, articulating their economic sustenance directly tied to God Himself rather than to physical land. This arrangement meant they were freed from agricultural labor and land management, allowing them to fully devote themselves to the sacred duties of ministering before the LORD, teaching His laws, and mediating between God and His people. Their dependence on God, demonstrated through the tithes and offerings brought by the other tribes (Deut 12:12), made them living examples of faith and trust in divine provision. This concept beautifully prefigures the New Covenant understanding where believers, too, find their ultimate inheritance and satisfaction not in earthly possessions but in God Himself and the spiritual blessings in Christ (Eph 1:3). It calls for a life centered on the spiritual and the divine, reflecting a greater treasure than any material wealth.