Numbers 18:23

23 The Levites will perform the service of the tent of assembly, and they will bear their guilt, an eternal decree for all your generations. But they will not receive an inheritance in the midst of the {Israelites}

Numbers 18:23 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 18:23

But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the
congregation
In guarding the tabernacle, that no unclean persons enter into it, or any others take anything out of it, and in assisting the priests in their service, and carrying the vessels of the sanctuary when required:

and they shall bear their iniquity:
that is, when they fail in the duty of their office, are not careful in their service and work, and business appointed them; if either they did not do their business themselves, or suffered others to do it, or such to come to the tabernacle who should not, they would be blameworthy and suffer for it:

[it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations, that the
children of Israel they have no inheritance;
having such a plentiful provision made for them, by a statute as durable as this.

Numbers 18:23 In-Context

21 "Behold, I have given to the descendants of Levi every tithe in Israel as an inheritance in return for their service, which they [are] doing, the work of the tent of assembly.

22 The {Israelites} will not come near again to the tent of assembly, or {they will bear sin} and die.

23 The Levites will perform the service of the tent of assembly, and they will bear their guilt, an eternal decree for all your generations. But they will not receive an inheritance in the midst of the {Israelites}

24 because the tithes of the {Israelites} that are {offered} to Yahweh as a contribution, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I said to them, 'They will not receive an inheritance in the midst of the {Israelites}.'"

25 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "Levite"
• [b]. Literally "sons/children of Israel"