Joshua 13 14

Joshua 13:14 kjv

Only unto the tribes of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.

Joshua 13:14 nkjv

Only to the tribe of Levi he had given no inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said to them.

Joshua 13:14 niv

But to the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance, since the food offerings presented to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as he promised them.

Joshua 13:14 esv

To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him.

Joshua 13:14 nlt

Moses did not assign any allotment of land to the tribe of Levi. Instead, as the LORD had promised them, their allotment came from the offerings burned on the altar to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Joshua 13 verses

Joshua 13 14 Meaning

Joshua 13:14 delineates the unique inheritance of the tribe of Levi within Israel's land division. Unlike the other tribes who received specific territories, the Levites were not allotted a portion of land. Instead, their sustenance and heritage were designated as "the offerings by fire to the LORD, the God of Israel." This arrangement affirmed their consecrated role in religious service and worship, underscoring their dependence not on earthly inheritance but on divine provision mediated through the other tribes' obedience to God's commands regarding offerings. This verse concludes by reaffirming that this system was a direct command given by God, emphasizing its divine authority and covenantal basis.

Joshua 13 14 Context

Joshua 13 marks a pivotal transition in the Book of Joshua. Chapters 1-12 primarily focus on the conquest of Canaan, recounting major victories over various kings and nations. Chapter 13 shifts to the allocation of the land among the Israelite tribes, even though much territory remains unconquered. The narrative opens with God addressing an elderly Joshua, reminding him that there is still much land to be possessed and directing him to proceed with the division. The focus of the initial verses of Chapter 13 is on detailing the boundaries and populations of the land to be distributed. Within this broad allocation, Joshua 13:14 stands as a significant exception, clarifying the distinct status and provision for the tribe of Levi, which had been consecrated for divine service. This verse directly links to prior Mosaic legislation regarding the Levites' role and sustenance, reaffirming the covenantal pattern established by God.

Word Analysis

• Only: This English word translates the Hebrew particle אַךְ ('akh), serving as an emphatic particle or a limiting one. Here, it highlights the unique and singular exception of the tribe of Levi among all the tribes receiving a land inheritance. It sets them apart, emphasizing their distinct vocational calling and divine provision.
• to the tribe of Levi: Hebrew: לְשֵׁבֶט הַלֵּוִי (lĕsheveṭ hallevi). The tribe of Levi, descended from Levi, Jacob’s third son, was set apart by God for priestly and liturgical duties. This designation underscores their distinct role in the theocratic nation, managing the Tabernacle/Temple worship, teaching the law, and serving as intercessors. Their lack of land inheritance prevented them from being tied to a specific geographical region, allowing them to serve God throughout all of Israel.
• he gave no inheritance: The Hebrew term for inheritance is נַחֲלָה (nachalah), referring to an allotted portion, a possession, or patrimony, often tied to land in this context. The negation signifies a departure from the typical tribal distribution model. This absence of material land ownership reinforced their spiritual dedication and their unique dependence on God and the contributions of the other tribes.
• the offerings by fire to the LORD: Hebrew: אִשֵּׁי יְהוָה (ishshey Yahweh). "Offerings by fire" refers to a category of sacrifices and burnt offerings prescribed in the Mosaic Law (e.g., Lev 1:9, 3:3, 7:30). These sacrifices, a portion of which was allocated to the priests (Levites), represent the literal provision for the Levites. The phrase "to the LORD" (יְהוָה - Yahweh) identifies the offerings as consecrated to God, indicating that the Levites’ sustenance ultimately derived from God’s command and provision, not simply from human benevolence.
• the God of Israel: Hebrew: אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (’Elohey Yisrael). This appellation emphasizes Yahweh's specific covenant relationship with Israel, His chosen people. It underscores that this unique arrangement for the Levites was an integral part of Israel’s divine constitution and worship system, reflecting God’s sovereignty over the entire nation and their resources.
• are their inheritance: This repeats the word nachalah (inheritance) but with a different emphasis. While they received no land inheritance, the offerings by fire became their substitute inheritance. This is not just a source of income but their divine lot and portion, tying their very sustenance to the faithful worship and offerings of the rest of the nation, reinforcing a symbiotic relationship of mutual dependence within the covenant.
• as He spoke to him: This refers back to explicit divine commands given earlier, primarily through Moses (e.g., Num 18:20-24, Deut 10:9, 18:1-2). This phrase asserts the divine authority and timelessness of this unique provision. It removes any human arbitrary decision, firmly grounding the Levitical arrangement in God's eternal decree.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Only to the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance: This phrase immediately establishes the distinctiveness of the Levites' portion. It highlights their exceptional status as a non-landed tribe, whose existence and service were integral to Israel's worship, yet not geographically bound. This absence of land also prevented the Levites from developing regional loyalties that could detract from their national spiritual role.
• the offerings by fire to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance: This defines the actual inheritance of Levi. It details that their sustenance comes from the very acts of worship performed by the other tribes to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This arrangement embedded the support for God's ministers within the theological fabric of the nation, ensuring that spiritual service was directly connected to communal faithfulness and divine provision. It made the rest of Israel responsible for supporting those dedicated to maintaining the sacred worship.
• as He spoke to him: This conclusive statement reinforces the divine origin and authority of this entire arrangement. It validates the exception made for Levi as a direct, unalterable command from God, thereby establishing its perpetual nature within the Mosaic covenant. This prevents any future dispute over the Levites' portion and grounds it in immutable divine decree.

Joshua 13 14 Commentary

Joshua 13:14 provides a crucial insight into God's provision for those dedicated wholly to His service. By denying the Levites a land inheritance, God fundamentally shifted their reliance from earthly means to divine sustenance. Their "inheritance" became the "offerings by fire," meaning portions of the sacrifices and tithes brought by the other tribes. This wasn't merely a pragmatic solution but a profound theological statement: God Himself was their inheritance (Num 18:20, Deut 10:9). Their livelihood was intrinsically linked to Israel’s obedience and generosity in worship, fostering a spiritual interdependency where the people supported the Levites’ ministry, and the Levites mediated the people's worship. This arrangement served as a powerful reminder that spiritual blessings often transcend material possessions, and true security rests in God's provision and promise. It underscored their primary function as intermediaries between God and the people, distinct from worldly concerns of agricultural prosperity. The mention "as He spoke to him" grounds this exception in Moses' divinely ordained law, giving it unwavering authority. Practically, this teaches the enduring principle of supporting those who labor in the spiritual harvest, echoing through the New Testament in injunctions for the church to care for its ministers (1 Cor 9:14, 1 Tim 5:18).

Bonus SectionThe Levitical arrangement, as highlighted in Joshua 13:14, carries profound typological significance. Their lack of a temporal, land-based inheritance and reliance on "offerings by fire" points forward to the spiritual inheritance that believers receive in Christ. Christians, too, are called to often prioritize a spiritual dwelling and heavenly treasure over earthly acquisitions (Col 3:2; Phil 3:8). The "offerings by fire" were a representation of gifts dedicated to God. This illustrates that our true spiritual provision comes from what is dedicated and sacrificed unto God. This model prefigures the sustenance for the Christian minister through the sacrificial giving of God's people, a living out of mutual interdependence within the body of Christ. The emphasis on "God of Israel" being the source of this command reinforces the theological truth that true calling often involves a unique form of divine provision, one that requires faith and obedience from both the minister and the congregation.