King James Version

What Does Joshua 18:7 Mean?

Joshua 18:7 in the King James Version says “But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and ha... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 18:7 · KJV


Context

5

And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.

6

Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.

7

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.

8

And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.

9

And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance—Levi's 'portion' is God Himself (Numbers 18:20). The Hebrew kehunnat YHWH nachalatam (כְּהֻנַּת יְהוָה נַחֲלָתָם) literally reads 'the priesthood of Yahweh [is] their inheritance.' This paradox: they possess nothing geographically yet possess everything spiritually.

Gad, Reuben, and half-Manasseh already received Transjordan territory under Moses (Numbers 32). This verse clarifies the eastern tribes' exclusion from the western land division while affirming Levi's unique calling. Ministers' true reward is serving God, not earthly wealth (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Levites received 48 cities scattered throughout Israel (Joshua 21) but no contiguous tribal territory. Their dispersion enabled nationwide priestly ministry. The eastern tribes' settlement across the Jordan preceded Joshua's leadership, fulfilling Moses' allocation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean for God Himself to be your inheritance rather than material possessions?
  2. How does the Levitical model challenge or affirm vocational ministry today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כִּ֠י1 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵֽין2 of 25
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

חֵ֤לֶק3 of 25

have no part

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)

לַלְוִיִּם֙4 of 25

But the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֔ם5 of 25

among

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

כִּֽי6 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כְהֻנַּ֥ת7 of 25

you for the priesthood

H3550

priesthood

יְהוָֽה׃8 of 25

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נַֽחֲלָתָ֗ם9 of 25

is their inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

וְגָ֡ד10 of 25

and Gad

H1410

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

וּרְאוּבֵ֡ן11 of 25

and Reuben

H7205

reuben, a son of jacob

וַֽחֲצִי֩12 of 25

and half

H2677

the half or middle

שֵׁ֨בֶט13 of 25

the tribe

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה14 of 25

of Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

לָֽקְח֣וּ15 of 25

have received

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

נַֽחֲלָתָ֗ם16 of 25

is their inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

מֵעֵ֤בֶר17 of 25

beyond

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

לַיַּרְדֵּן֙18 of 25

Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

מִזְרָ֔חָה19 of 25

on the east

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

אֲשֶׁר֙20 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתַ֣ן21 of 25

gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֔ם22 of 25
H0
מֹשֶׁ֖ה23 of 25

which Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֶ֥בֶד24 of 25

the servant

H5650

a servant

יְהוָֽה׃25 of 25

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 18:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 18:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study