Deuteronomy 10:9

KJV

Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD [is] his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore Levi {H3878} hath no part {H2506} nor inheritance {H5159} with his brethren {H251}; the LORD {H3068} is his inheritance {H5159}, according as the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} promised {H1696} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why Levi has no share or inheritance with his brothers; ADONAI is his inheritance, as ADONAI your God had said to him.

Berean Standard Bible

That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.

American Standard Version

Wherefore Levi hath no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; Jehovah is his inheritance, according as Jehovah thy God spake unto him.)

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 10:9 succinctly explains the unique vocational and economic status of the tribe of Levi within ancient Israel. Unlike the other eleven tribes, who received a territorial inheritance in the Promised Land, the Levites were designated for full-time service to Yahweh and the community. Consequently, their inheritance was not land but the LORD Himself, a divine provision that underscored their consecrated role and God's faithfulness to those dedicated to His sacred purposes, fulfilling a promise made to them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites in the plains of Moab, delivered just before they are to enter the Promised Land. Chapters 9 and 10 serve as a powerful reminder of God's covenant faithfulness despite Israel's persistent rebellion, particularly highlighting the incident of the golden calf and God's subsequent renewal of the covenant. Moses recounts his intercession for the people and for Aaron, and then specifically details the setting apart of the tribe of Levi for sacred service. Deuteronomy 10:8-9 directly follows the account of Moses receiving the second set of tablets of the Law, establishing the Levites' unique role as a direct consequence of God's renewed covenant and specific divine appointment, contrasting their portion with that of the other tribes who would receive land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, the Levites were set apart for sacred service after their zealous response to Moses' call for faithfulness following the golden calf incident, as recorded in [Exodus 32:26-29](/exodus/32-26 "Exodus 32:26-29 - The Levites' Loyalty"). This act of loyalty solidified their unique consecration, distinguishing them from the other tribes. Their duties included carrying the Ark of the Covenant, ministering before the Lord, blessing in His name, and teaching His statutes and judgments to Israel, as affirmed in [Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - The Blessing of Moses on Levi"). Because their full-time occupation was serving God and the community through religious duties, they were not to be burdened with cultivating land or managing vast estates. Their sustenance was to come directly from the offerings, tithes, and firstfruits brought by the other tribes, as well as specific [Levitical cities](/numbers/35-6 "Numbers 35:6 - Cities for the Levites") scattered throughout Israel, ensuring their integration within the broader community while maintaining their distinct role.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 10:9 contributes significantly to several key themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Provision**, demonstrating God's commitment to sustaining those dedicated to His service; the Levites' livelihood was directly tied to their spiritual duties, signifying that God Himself was their ultimate source of security and blessing, a principle reiterated in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is Levi's Inheritance"). It also highlights the **Unique Calling and Consecration** of the Levites, underscoring that their lack of material inheritance emphasized their separation for spiritual devotion and mediation between God and His people, rather than for worldly gain. Most profoundly, the verse articulates the concept of **Spiritual Inheritance**, elevating the spiritual relationship with God above any earthly possession. While other tribes received land, the Levites received God Himself, suggesting that true wealth and security are found in Him, a concept echoed in [Psalm 16:5](/psalms/16-5 "Psalm 16:5 - The Lord is My Portion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _naḥălāh'_):** This word typically refers to an allotted portion, often land or property passed down through generations within a family or tribe. Its striking use here, applying it directly to God ("the LORD is his inheritance"), emphasizes that Yahweh Himself was the Levites' portion, their security, their provision, and their ultimate possession. It signifies a profound, personal, and exclusive relationship, where God fulfills all the functions of a material inheritance and more, providing identity, security, and sustenance.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** The divine covenant name, Yahweh, emphasizes God's personal, relational, and unchanging nature. By declaring YHWH as the Levites' inheritance, the text asserts that their entire existence, security, and well-being are bound up in their relationship with the living God, not in earthly possessions. This highlights the unique intimacy and dependence inherent in their consecrated role.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren;":** This clause establishes the distinct economic and social status of the tribe of Levi. Unlike the other eleven tribes, who were allotted specific territories in Canaan as their ancestral "part" (חֵלֶק, _ḥēleq_) and "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, _naḥălāh_), the Levites were explicitly excluded from this land distribution. This exclusion was not a punishment but a foundational aspect of their divine calling, setting them apart from the typical tribal structure and its land-based economy.
* **"the LORD [is] his inheritance, ":** This is the pivotal declaration of the verse. It reveals the profound spiritual compensation for their lack of material inheritance. Instead of land, the Levites received God Himself as their portion. This signifies that their security, provision, identity, and ultimate blessing were found directly in their relationship with Yahweh and their service to Him. It elevates their spiritual vocation above any earthly possession, making God their ultimate source of sustenance and significance.
* **"according as the LORD thy God promised him.":** This concluding phrase grounds the Levites' unique status in divine promise and covenant faithfulness. It indicates that this arrangement was not arbitrary but was part of God's pre-ordained plan for their tribe, a promise that began to be articulated after their faithfulness at Sinai (e.g., [Numbers 3:12](/numbers/3-12 "Numbers 3:12 - The Levites Set Apart") and [Numbers 18:20-24](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20-24 - The Levites' Portion")). This highlights God's sovereignty in establishing their role and His commitment to fulfilling His word to them.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Contrast** to highlight the unique position of Levi, setting their lack of earthly inheritance against the divine inheritance they receive. This creates a powerful **Paradox**, where what appears to be a deprivation (no land) is, in fact, an elevation to a higher, more secure form of provision (God Himself). The use of **Metaphor** is central, as "the LORD is his inheritance" uses the familiar concept of a material inheritance to describe an intangible, spiritual reality, thereby imbuing the relationship with God with the tangible benefits of security, provision, and belonging. This metaphorical language emphasizes that God fully embodies and surpasses all that a physical inheritance could offer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 10:9 presents a profound theological truth: God Himself is the ultimate inheritance for His people, particularly for those consecrated to His service. This principle transcends the specific context of the Levites, illustrating that true wealth, security, and fulfillment are found not in material possessions or earthly status, but in an intimate relationship with the Creator. It underscores the idea that divine provision is guaranteed for those who prioritize God's kingdom and purposes, and that such a spiritual inheritance is infinitely more valuable and enduring than any temporal estate. This verse serves as a foundational statement about the nature of God's relationship with those who serve Him, establishing a precedent for spiritual dedication over worldly gain.

* [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is Levi's Portion")
* [Psalm 73:26](/psalms/73-26 "Psalm 73:26 - God is My Strength and Portion")
* [Lamentations 3:24](/lamentations/3-24 "Lamentations 3:24 - The Lord is My Portion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific context of the Levites' land inheritance is unique to ancient Israel, the principle that "the LORD is his inheritance" holds profound and enduring relevance for believers today. It challenges us to re-evaluate our priorities, reminding us that our greatest treasure and security should be found not in material wealth, career success, or earthly possessions, but in our relationship with God. This verse calls us to a radical trust in divine provision, especially for those who dedicate their lives to serving God in various capacities, whether in full-time ministry or through faithful obedience in their daily vocations. It encourages us to embrace a spiritual perspective on life, recognizing that our ultimate inheritance is eternal and found in Christ, far surpassing the fleeting things of this world. Our true fulfillment comes from Him, and He promises to be our ultimate provider and sustainer when we seek His kingdom first.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tend to seek my "inheritance" or security in earthly possessions or achievements rather than in God alone?**
* **How does the Levites' example of divine provision encourage or challenge my trust in God's ability to provide for my needs as I seek to serve Him?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense that "the LORD is my inheritance" in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for "the LORD" to be someone's "inheritance"?**

Answer: For "the LORD" to be someone's "inheritance" means that God Himself becomes their ultimate source of provision, security, identity, and blessing, rather than a physical plot of land or material wealth. In the context of Deuteronomy 10:9, it signifies that the Levites, who were not allotted tribal land in Canaan, received God as their portion. This implied that their sustenance, livelihood, and purpose were directly tied to their service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, living off the offerings and tithes brought by the other tribes. Theologically, it elevates the spiritual relationship with God above any earthly possession, asserting that true wealth and security are found in Him. This concept is beautifully echoed in [Psalm 16:5](/psalms/16-5 "Psalm 16:5 - The Lord is My Portion"), where the psalmist declares, "The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 10:9, by declaring "the LORD is his inheritance," profoundly foreshadows the ultimate spiritual inheritance found in Christ. While the Levites received God as their portion through their dedicated service in the Old Covenant, believers in the New Covenant receive God Himself through union with Jesus Christ. Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this divine inheritance, for in Him "we have obtained an inheritance" ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). Through His atoning work, Jesus has made us "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")), granting us access to the very presence and provision of God. Our "inheritance" is not a physical land, but an "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). Just as the Levites' lack of earthly portion underscored their unique consecration to God, so too does the believer's spiritual inheritance in Christ call for a life set apart, prioritizing the eternal over the temporal, trusting that our ultimate security and provision reside in the "unsearchable riches of Christ" ([Ephesians 3:8](/ephesians/3-8 "Ephesians 3:8 - The Unsearchable Riches of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Numbers 18:24

But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer [as] an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

Ezekiel 44:28

And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I [am] their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I [am] their possession.

Deuteronomy 18:1

¶ 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 18:2

Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD [is] their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.

Numbers 26:62

And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

Joshua 14:3

For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.