Deuteronomy 18:2

2 They are to own no land, as the other tribes do; their share is the privilege of being the Lord's priests, as the Lord has promised. 1

Deuteronomy 18:2 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:2

Therefore shall they have none inheritance among their
brethren
Neither of the field, nor of the vineyard, as the above Targum, because provision was made for them otherwise, and especially because

the Lord is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them,
(See Gill on Numbers 18:20), which as it may be understood in a spiritual sense of their interest in God, as their covenant God, and of their enjoyment of him, and communion with him; so chiefly in a temporal sense of all those things in the sacrifices which the Lord claimed to himself, and these he gave unto them; so the same Targum interprets this of the twenty four gifts of the priesthood, enumerated ( Numbers 18:1-32 ) .

Deuteronomy 18:2 In-Context

1 "The priestly tribe of Levi is not to receive any share of land in Israel; instead, they are to live on the offerings and other sacrifices given to the Lord.
2 They are to own no land, as the other tribes do; their share is the privilege of being the Lord's priests, as the Lord has promised.
3 "Whenever cattle or sheep are sacrificed, the priests are to be given the shoulder, the jaw, and the stomach.
4 They are to receive the first share of the grain, wine, olive oil, and wool.
5 The Lord chose from all your tribes the tribe of Levi to serve him as priests forever.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 18.2Numbers 18.20.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.