“But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them.”
This verse is part of a larger passage where the land of Canaan was being divided among the remaining tribes of Israel. The Levites, however, did not receive a portion of the land as their inheritance. Instead, they were given the responsibility of serving as priests and caretakers of the tabernacle.
Here are some key points to consider when studying this verse:
- The Levites’ Inheritance:The verse begins by stating that the Levites have no part among the other tribes because the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance. In the Mosaic Law, the Levites were set apart for sacred duties and were not given a specific territory. Instead, they were to receive tithes and offerings from the other tribes (Numbers 18:20-24) and were allocated cities throughout the land (Joshua 21).
- The Role of the Levites:The Levites played a crucial role in Israel’s worship and religious life. They were responsible for offering sacrifices, maintaining the tabernacle, teaching the Law, and assisting the people in their spiritual needs. By not having a specific portion of land, the Levites were free to focus on their priestly duties and serve as intermediaries between God and the people.
- Inheritance Beyond Jordan:The verse also mentions the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, who received their inheritance on the eastern side of the Jordan River. This refers to an earlier arrangement made by Moses before the Israelites crossed the Jordan to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 32). These tribes, being primarily livestock herders, requested to settle in the fertile lands of Gilead and Bashan, which were well-suited for grazing.
- Moses’ Role:The verse concludes by mentioning that Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave these tribes their inheritance beyond Jordan. This highlights the authority of Moses as a leader and mediator between God and the Israelites. It also emphasizes the continuity between the leadership of Moses and Joshua, who took over the leadership after Moses’ death.
Overall, Joshua 18:7 emphasises the unique role and inheritance of the Levites as priests and caretakers of the tabernacle. It also briefly mentions the arrangement of land allocation for the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh on the eastern side of the Jordan. This verse provides insights into the distribution of land among the tribes of Israel and highlights the significance of the Levites’ priestly responsibilities.
