Numbers 18:23

But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.

But the Levites {H3881} shall do {H5647} the service {H5656} of the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, and they shall bear {H5375} their iniquity {H5771}: it shall be a statute {H2708} for ever {H5769} throughout your generations {H1755}, that among {H8432} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} they have {H5157} no inheritance {H5159}.

Only the L'vi'im are to perform the service in the tent of meeting, and they will be responsible for whatever they do wrong. This is to be a permanent regulation through all your generations. They are to have no inheritance among the people of Isra'el,

The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.

But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations; and among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

Commentary

Numbers 18:23 is part of a crucial chapter detailing the distinct roles and provisions for the priests (descendants of Aaron) and the Levites within ancient Israel. This verse specifically outlines the Levites' unique responsibilities and their unique status regarding land inheritance.

Context

Following the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, which challenged the divinely appointed authority of Aaron and the Levites (Numbers 16:1-35), God reaffirms and clarifies the duties and support structures for the priestly and Levitical tribes. Numbers 18 establishes that only Aaron's lineage could serve as priests, while the rest of the tribe of Levi were consecrated to assist them in the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. This verse explicitly states that the Levites would receive no tribal land inheritance among the other children of Israel, a stark contrast to the distribution of land to the other eleven tribes outlined later in books like Joshua.

Key Themes

  • Divine Appointment and Consecration: The Levites were uniquely chosen and set apart by God for specialized service related to the Tabernacle. Their role was indispensable for the spiritual life of Israel, handling sacred duties that others were forbidden to perform.
  • Sacred Responsibility and Accountability: The phrase "they shall bear their iniquity" highlights the grave responsibility associated with their holy office. This means they were accountable for the proper care and service of the Tabernacle and its holy objects. Any negligence or unauthorized approach could lead to divine judgment, underscoring the seriousness of serving a holy God.
  • No Earthly Inheritance, God as Their Portion: The absence of land inheritance for the Levites was a profound theological statement. Unlike the other tribes who received agricultural lands, the Levites were to subsist on the tithes and offerings of the people (Numbers 18:21), making their livelihood directly dependent on the faithful giving of the other Israelites and, ultimately, on God's provision. This symbolized that their "inheritance" was the Lord Himself and their sacred calling, as echoed in Deuteronomy 10:9.
  • Perpetual Ordinance: The phrase "it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations" emphasizes the lasting nature of this divine decree concerning the Levites' role and their distinct economic status within Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "bear their iniquity" (nasa avonam) carries significant weight. While it can sometimes refer to bearing the guilt or punishment for sin, in this context, it primarily refers to the responsibility for the sacred duties and the consequences of any failure or profanation of the sanctuary. It underscores the immense burden of holiness and care entrusted to the Levites. Their role was not merely ceremonial; it was a matter of life and death, both for themselves and for the nation, if the sanctuary was not properly maintained according to God's commands.

Practical Application

Numbers 18:23 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • The Gravity of Service: It reminds us that serving God, in any capacity, is a serious and sacred privilege that comes with responsibility. Whether in formal ministry or daily life, our actions as believers reflect on God's character.
  • Dependence on God: The Levites' lack of earthly inheritance teaches us to place our ultimate trust and hope not in material possessions but in God's faithful provision. Our true inheritance is found in Christ and the spiritual blessings He bestows (Ephesians 1:3).
  • Support for Ministry: The principle of the people supporting those dedicated to spiritual service remains relevant. Just as ancient Israel supported the Levites, believers are called to support those who labor in the Gospel, enabling them to focus on their divine calling.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 3:7

    And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.

  • 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 18:1

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
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