Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 18:2
Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, establishing the provision for the Levitical priests immediately before they cross the Jordan.
The words — The Hebrew phrase לֹא־יִהְיֶה בְּקֶרֶב אֶחָיו (lo'- yih.yeh be./ke.rev 'e.Cha/v) literally declares "it will not belong in the midst of his countrymen," while נַחֲלָה (na.cha.Lah) means "inheritance" or "portion."
The thread — The motif of God as a designated portion appears in Genesis 15:1, where God identifies Himself to Abram, and in Psalms 16:5 and 73:24, where the psalmist affirms the Lord as his secure lot and guide.
Why it lands — The text states that the Levitical priests receive no tribal land allotment because Yahweh Himself constitutes their inheritance. This requires the reader to accept that divine provision, rather than territorial wealth, sustains those set apart for sacred service.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the Lord is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.
Cross-references
- Genesis 15:1 After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
- Psalms 16:5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
- Psalms 73:24 You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
- Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.
- Psalms 119:57 The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
- Isaiah 61:6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.
- Lamentations 3:24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”
- 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,