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.
JOSHUA 18:7KJVWhat does Joshua 18:7 mean?
Joshua 18:7 explains that the Levites do not receive a share of land like the other tribes because their inheritance is serving as priests for the LORD. It also notes that the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh have already received their land on the east side of the Jordan, given by Moses.
In this verse, Joshua is speaking to the Israelites as they are dividing up the land of Canaan among the tribes. He reminds them that the Levites’ role is different—they are set apart for religious duties, not for owning territory. The verse also clarifies that some tribes have already received their inheritance outside the main area being divided, so they are not included in this current allotment.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 18:7
- "Levites" (לֵוִיִּיּם, Leviyyim): This word refers to the tribe set apart for religious service. Their lack of land emphasizes their unique calling among the Israelites.
- "Priesthood" (כְּהֻנָּה, kehunah): This term means the office or duties of a priest. The verse highlights that serving the LORD in this way is considered the Levites’ true inheritance, rather than land.
- "Inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This word means a possession or allotted portion. The contrast between land as inheritance for most tribes and priestly service as inheritance for the Levites is central to understanding the verse.
- "Beyond" (עֵבֶר, eber): This word means "across" or "on the other side," pointing out that Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh’s territory lies east of the Jordan River, outside the main land division.
Why Joshua 18:7 matters
- Joshua 18:7 clears up why the Levites do not receive land like the other tribes, showing that their special role is considered a valuable inheritance in itself.
- The verse connects the ongoing land division to earlier decisions made by Moses, helping the reader see the continuity in Israel’s history and leadership.
- By naming which tribes already have their land, Joshua 18:7 helps the reader understand the logistics of the land allotment and why only certain tribes are involved in this part of the process.