The Priests, the Leuites, and all the tribe of Leui, shall haue no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eate the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and his inheritance. Deuteronomy 18:1 (KJV)
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. Deuteronomy 18:1 (KJV)
Deuteronomy records Moses’ farewell speeches to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. In this opening verse of chapter 18, Moses points to the unique position of the Levites, a tribe set apart for service to the Lord. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites received no territorial allotment; their inheritance was not land but the very presence of God Himself, as clarified in the following verse, “The LORD is their inheritance.”
The tribe of Levi was chosen to minister in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Only the descendants of Aaron among the Levites served as priests, while the broader Levitical family assisted in maintaining the sanctuary, offering sacrifices, and teaching the people God’s law. Their responsibilities included caring for the holy furnishings, conducting the various offerings prescribed in the Mosaic Law, and providing spiritual instruction to Israel.
Because they had no land to sustain them, God provided for the Levites through the sacrificial system. Portions of the burnt offerings and other sacrifices were designated for the priests and Levites to eat. Although Deuteronomy 18:1 itself does not detail the eating of offerings, later verses (Deuteronomy 18:2‑3) and passages such as Numbers 18:7‑9 explain that these portions were a means of material support for those who devoted themselves wholly to God’s service.
The passage therefore underscores two key principles: first, the Levites’ separation from ordinary inheritance highlights their total dedication to God’s work; second, God’s provision through the offerings reminds the people of their responsibility to support full‑time ministry. This reminder calls believers today to recognize the importance of giving to God’s work and to honor those called to serve in spiritual leadership.
Further study of the subsequent verses in Deuteronomy 18 will reveal additional regulations concerning the support of the Levitical priests and the proper handling of sacred gifts.
