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.
But the Levites don't get any land among you, because serving as priests for the LORD is their inheritance. And the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received their land on the east side of the Jordan River, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.
Joshua is explaining that the Levites won't receive land because their calling is to serve as priests, and some tribes have already been given their territory east of the Jordan River.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Joshua, the Israelites were in the process of dividing the Promised Land among the twelve tribes after their conquest of Canaan. The Levites were excluded from receiving a territorial inheritance because God had set them apart for priestly duties, making their service to the Lord their designated portion. Meanwhile, the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh had already been given land east of the Jordan River by Moses as part of earlier allocations.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.