Bible Strands
Joshua 13:33
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua records the conclusion of the Transjordan land distribution on the plains of Moab, explicitly noting the exception made for the Levites.
The words — נַחֲלָ֑ה (na.cha.Lah) denotes a territorial allotment or inheritance, while יְהוָ֞ה (Yah.weh) identifies the covenant name of Israel’s God.
The thread — This exclusion recurs in Joshua 13:14, Joshua 18:7, and Deuteronomy 10:9, consistently pairing the tribe’s lack of land with the Lord’s provision.
Why it lands — The text states the Levites receive no territorial portion because Yahweh Himself functions as their inheritance, requiring the reader to accept a non-land-based provision as sufficient.
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
But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.
Cross-references
- Joshua 18:7 The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”
- Joshua 13:14 To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.
- Deuteronomy 10:9 That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.
- Deuteronomy 18:1 The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance.
- Numbers 18:20 Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.