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 18:7KJV
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Joshua 18:7 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“priesthood” Hebrew H3550 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 29:9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
  • Numbers 16:10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
  • 1 Samuel 2:36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

“part” Hebrew H2506 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
  • 1 Samuel 30:24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

“Gad” Hebrew H1410 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 30:11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 2 Samuel 24:5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

“Reuben” Hebrew H7205 · used in 68 verses

  • Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
  • Numbers 13:4 And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
  • Joshua 22:9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.