Joshua 18 7

Joshua 18:7 kjv

But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.

Joshua 18:7 nkjv

But the Levites have no part among you, for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them."

Joshua 18:7 niv

The Levites, however, do not get a portion among you, because the priestly service of the LORD is their inheritance. And Gad, Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh have already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. Moses the servant of the LORD gave it to them."

Joshua 18:7 esv

The Levites have no portion among you, for the priesthood of the LORD is their heritage. And Gad and Reuben and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan eastward, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them."

Joshua 18:7 nlt

"The Levites, however, will not receive any allotment of land. Their role as priests of the LORD is their allotment. And the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh won't receive any more land, for they have already received their grant of land, which Moses, the servant of the LORD, gave them on the east side of the Jordan River."

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 7 Meaning

Joshua 18:7 clarifies the exclusion of the Levites and the Transjordan tribes (Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh) from the land distribution westward of the Jordan. The Levites are unique in having the priesthood of the LORD as their inheritance, meaning God Himself and the sacred duties associated with Him are their designated portion, not a territorial land allocation like the other tribes. The Transjordan tribes had already received their allotted territory east of the Jordan River through Moses before his death, thus fulfilling their share of the land inheritance. This verse serves as an explanation for why only seven tribes were to receive their inheritance west of the Jordan by lot at Shiloh.

Joshua 18 7 Context

Joshua chapter 18 details the next phase of land distribution after the tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and half Manasseh have received their portions. The entire congregation of Israel had assembled at Shiloh, indicating a more settled phase in the land. The tabernacle was also set up there, making Shiloh a central place of worship and national life. Joshua observed that seven tribes had not yet received their inheritance and exhorted them to survey the land and prepare for its division by lot. Joshua 18:7 is an explanatory interjection, clarifying why the Levites and the three Transjordan tribes were not among the seven yet to receive their inheritance in the western portion of Canaan. This explanation underscores the orderly and divinely ordained process of land distribution, ensuring that every tribe received its due according to God's prior instructions given through Moses.

Joshua 18 7 Word analysis

• But: 'akh (אַךְ) - A particle often meaning "only," "surely," or "nevertheless." Here it introduces a strong contrast or exception to the general rule of land inheritance for the other tribes. It signals an important clarification.
• the Levites: ha-Lewiyim (הַלְוִיִּם) - Descendants of Levi, designated by God for sacred service in the tabernacle/temple. Their unique calling precluded them from having a territorial land inheritance like the other tribes (Num 1:49-53).
• have no portion among you: Signifies their distinction in the divine economy. They were not to be given a large, continuous land territory. This was not a lack or deprivation, but a divine decree based on their specific, holy vocation (Num 26:62). They were supported by offerings and specific cities with pasturelands (Num 35).
• for: ki (כִּי) - A conjunction introducing the reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
• the priesthood of the LORD: kehunnat YHWH (כְּהֻנַּת יְהוָה) - This refers to their sacred office and duties of serving God, mediating between God and the people through offerings, rituals, and teaching His laws (Mal 2:7). This was their spiritual and vocational "inheritance."
• is their inheritance: nachalatam hi' (נַחֲלָתָה הִיא) - The Hebrew word nachalah (נַחֲלָה) primarily means "inheritance," "possession," or "heritage." While usually referring to a landed estate, here it's specifically applied to the Levites' divinely given spiritual office and their share of priestly provisions. God Himself is ultimately their portion (Num 18:20, Deut 18:1-2), a concept reiterated in various biblical texts (Psa 73:26, Lam 3:24). This implies that their ultimate satisfaction and provision come directly from their relationship with and service to God.
• and Gad and Reuben and half the tribe of Manasseh: These are the specific Transjordanian tribes that, at their own request, had received their inheritance east of the Jordan River prior to entering Canaan (Num 32:1-33).
• have received their inheritance: Confirms that their allocation was already complete. The process for them was finished under Moses.
• beyond the Jordan eastward: Refers to the geographical region east of the Jordan River. This differentiates their land from the land of Canaan proper (west of Jordan).
• which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them: Attribution of the land distribution to Moses, the authorized agent of God, further cementing its legitimacy and divine origin (Josh 12:6). "Servant of the LORD" ('eved YHWH עֶבֶד יְהוָה) is a title of high honor indicating one divinely chosen and commissioned for a special task (Exod 14:31; Deut 34:5).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But the Levites have no portion among you, for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance": This phrase clearly states the divine exception for the tribe of Levi. It highlights that their blessing and provision do not come from a physical land allotment like the other tribes, but directly from their sacred calling and relationship with God. Their spiritual vocation surpasses temporal possession as their ultimate inheritance.
• "and Gad and Reuben and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan eastward, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them": This segment explains why these three tribes are also not included in the upcoming lot casting. Their land promises were already fulfilled through Moses' direct action, validating their claims and emphasizing the continuation of God's covenant promises through both Moses and Joshua. It underscores the orderly and complete nature of God's land distribution plan.

Joshua 18 7 Bonus section

The uniqueness of the Levites' inheritance provides a powerful theological precedent for prioritizing spiritual blessings over material wealth. It teaches that devotion and service to God are of greater value than land or earthly possessions, symbolizing a deeper security and provision found in God alone. This arrangement also prevented any one tribe from monopolizing religious authority through territorial dominance, promoting decentralization and dependence on divine provision for the priesthood. For the Transjordanian tribes, their chosen location highlighted a preference that led to later challenges in tribal unity with those on the west side of the Jordan (as seen in Josh 22), illustrating potential risks when individual preferences deviate from collective and divine ideal locations, even when permissible.

Joshua 18 7 Commentary

Joshua 18:7 is crucial for understanding the final phase of the land division, as it delineates precisely which tribes are to be considered for allocation. It functions as a concise summary of two significant prior arrangements: the Levites' distinct calling to service rather than land ownership, and the Transjordanian tribes' settled status on the eastern side of the Jordan. For the Levites, their inheritance being "the priesthood of the LORD" (and thus God Himself) establishes a profound theological truth: ultimate inheritance and security are found not in material possessions but in consecrated service to God. This principle foreshadows the New Covenant concept of a spiritual inheritance found in Christ (Eph 1:11). The mention of Moses granting the Transjordanian inheritance reinforces the continuity and authority of God's word, fulfilling promises given long before. The verse underscores God's meticulous and fair provision for all His people according to His divine plan.