King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The cohanim, who are L'vi'im, and indeed the whole tribe of Levi, is not to have a share or an inheritance with Isra'el. Instead, their support will come from the food offered by fire to ADONAI and from whatever else becomes his.
Berean Standard Bible:
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the offerings made by fire to the LORD; that is their inheritance.
American Standard Version:
The priests the Levites, evenall the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of Jehovah made by fire, and his inheritance.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The priests{H3548} the Levites{H3881}, and all the tribe{H7626} of Levi{H3878}, shall have no part{H2506} nor inheritance{H5159} with Israel{H3478}: they shall eat{H398} the offerings{H801} of the LORD{H3068} made by fire{H801}, and his inheritance{H5159}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 10:9
- Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD [is] his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.
Numbers 18:8
- ¶ And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.
Numbers 18:9
- This shall be thine of the most holy things, [reserved] from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, [shall be] most holy for thee and for thy sons.
1 Corinthians 9:13
- Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
1 Corinthians 9:14
- Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Deuteronomy 12:19
- Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
Numbers 18:20
- ¶ And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I [am] thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.
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Commentary for Deuteronomy 18:1
Deuteronomy 18:1 addresses the roles and provisions for the Levites within ancient Israelite society. The verse reflects several themes and historical contexts:
1. **Theocratic Structure**: Israel was organized as a theocracy with God as the ultimate ruler. The Levites, as priests, were set apart for religious service and did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. This underscores the unique religious governance of Israel.
2. **Divine Provision**: Since the Levites did not have land, they could not farm or engage in typical economic activities of the time. Instead, they were to be sustained by the offerings made to God, which included a portion of the sacrifices brought to the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). This system ensured their livelihood and emphasized the importance of their priestly duties.
3. **Separation of Tribes**: The Levites were distinct among the twelve tribes of Israel. Their role was to serve God and teach the law to the people. This separation was a practical arrangement to maintain a professional priestly class dedicated to religious service.
4. **Covenantal Obligations**: The arrangement for the Levites was part of the Mosaic Covenant, which outlined the responsibilities and blessings for Israel as God's chosen people. The Levites' service and the people's support of them were integral to maintaining the covenant relationship with God.
5. **Historical Context**: This verse reflects the time when the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. Moses was instructing them on how to live according to God's laws once they settled in Canaan. The Levitical system was an essential part of their national and religious identity.
In summary, Deuteronomy 18:1 outlines the unique status and support system for the Levites in ancient Israel, emphasizing their religious role, divine sustenance, and the distinct structure of Israelite society under God's laws.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H3881
There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵוִיִּי
Transliteration: Lêvîyîy
Pronunciation: lay-vee-ee'
Description: or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite. - Strong's Number: H7626
There are 178 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁבֶט
Transliteration: shêbeṭ
Pronunciation: shay'-bet
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan; [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. - Strong's Number: H3878
There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵוִי
Transliteration: Lêvîy
Pronunciation: lay-vee'
Description: from לָוָה; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob; Levi. See also לֵוִי, לֵוִיִּי. - Strong's Number: H2506
There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵלֶק
Transliteration: chêleq
Pronunciation: khay'lek
Description: from חָלַק; properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment; flattery, inheritance, part, [idiom] partake, portion. - Strong's Number: H5159
There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נַחֲלָה
Transliteration: nachălâh
Pronunciation: nakh-al-aw'
Description: from נָחַל (in its usual sense); properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion; heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare נַחַל. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H801
There are 357 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: the same as אֶשָּׁה, but used in a liturgical sense; properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice; (offering, sacrifice), (made) by fire. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.