“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.”
This verse is part of the larger context of the book of Deuteronomy, which contains the farewell speeches of Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this particular verse, Moses is addressing the unique position and responsibilities of the Levites, who were set apart as priests and did not receive a land inheritance like the other tribes of Israel.
The Levitical Priests: The verse begins by mentioning “the priests the Levites.” The tribe of Levi was chosen by God to serve as priests and ministers in the tabernacle and later in the temple. They were responsible for carrying out the religious duties, offering sacrifices, and teaching the people the law of God. This verse acknowledges the specific role and designation of the Levites as priests.
No Inheritance: It states that the Levites and the tribe of Levi would have no part nor inheritance with the rest of Israel. Unlike the other tribes who were allotted specific territories in the Promised Land, the Levites were not given land as an inheritance. Instead, their portion was to serve the Lord in the priestly duties and minister to the spiritual needs of the people.
Eating Offerings and Inheritance: The verse further mentions that the Levites would eat the offerings of the Lord made by fire. In the Mosaic Law, various offerings and sacrifices were prescribed, and a portion of these offerings was designated for the priests to eat. This provision was a way for God to provide for the material needs of the Levites since they did not have land or other means of sustenance.
The latter part of the verse states that the Levites would eat “his inheritance.” Here, the term “inheritance” refers to the portion of the offerings and sacrifices that were given to the Levites. While the rest of Israel received physical inheritance in the form of land, the Levites received their portion through the offerings dedicated to God.
Overall, Deuteronomy 18:1 emphasizes the unique role and provision for the Levitical priests. It highlights their separation from the land inheritance and their dependence on the offerings given to the Lord. This passage serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting those who are called to full-time ministry and the principle of giving to God’s work.
It’s worth exploring the subsequent verses in Deuteronomy 18 as they contain additional instructions and regulations for the Levitical priests and how the people were to support them.
