Numbers 18:20

Translations

Modern

Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.

Traditional

And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

Literal

And YHWH said to Aaron, “You shall not inherit in their land, and you shall not have any portion in their midst. I am your portion and your inheritance in the midst of the sons of Israel.

Latin

Dixitque Dominus ad Aaron: In terra eorum nihil possidebitis, nec habebitis partem inter eos: ego pars et hæreditas tua in medio filiorum Israël.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.

Notes

Numbers 18:20–21

The priests and Levites did not have a tribal homeland. They lived scattered among Israel's other tribes (see 35:1–8; Deuteronomy 12:12; Joshua 21:1–42).
I am your portion and your inheritance: Instead of land, Israel's priests had assurance that God himself would be their homeland. The tribe of Levi received tithes as payment for their holy service.

Numbers 18:1–32

The instructions here came from the need shown in chapter 17 for clear boundaries between the people, priests, and Levites. The Levites had special privileges and important responsibilities. One key part of their job was to protect the Tent of Meeting from unauthorized entry (chapter 16).

Related verses

Ezekiel 44:28
In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.
Deuteronomy 10:9
That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.
Joshua 13:33
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.
Deuteronomy 18:1–2
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance.
Lamentations 3:24
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”
Joshua 14:3
For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites.
Deuteronomy 12:12
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.
Joshua 18:7
The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”
Deuteronomy 14:27
And do not neglect the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
Psalm 16:5
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
Psalm 142:5
I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of Inheritance Joshua, Book of Levitical Cities Numbers, Book of Tribe of Levi

Topics

Christian Minister: Emoluments (Benefits) of Priest: Benefits of No Part of the Land of Canaan Allowed To Tithe: Reasonableness of Appointing, for the Levites

Numbers 18:20

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