Joshua 13:32-33 summarizes the division of the land east of the Jordan River and explains why the tribe of Levi did not receive an inheritance.
Joshua 13:32-33 summarizes the division of the land east of the Jordan and explains why the tribe of Levi did not receive an inheritance. The LORD is a loving God. He demonstrated His care for the twelve tribes of Israel by redeeming them from Egyptian slavery and guiding them through the wilderness. After forty years in the desert, the people finally approached Canaan, a fertile land west of the Jordan River that Godhad promised to give them as an everlasting possession.
The people of Israel agreed to a covenant/treaty with God, where God would be their King and they would keep His commandments. They were called to live as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:4-6) in contrast to the pagan, sinful, child-sacrificing nations of the world (Leviticus 18).
As they traveled east of the river, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, requested this area, as it was ideal for their cattle grazing.
Initially, Moses was reluctant. But he consented when the eastern tribes vowed to assist their brethren in the conquest of Canaan. Thus, after subjugating King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan, Moses distributed their land. Reuben received the territory east of the Dead Sea, which the Moabites previously occupied. Gad inherited a portion of the land of Gilead, in the center of the region. The half-tribe of Manasseh received the rich land of Bashan east of the Sea of Galilee as their inheritance (Joshua 13:15-31). Many years later Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh would be the first tribes that were exiled by the Assyrian army invading from the east (1 Chronicles 5:26).
But as for the tribe of Levi, their inheritance was God, to serve as His priests. The text concludes its restatement of the inheritance of the tribes who settled beyond the River, These are the territories which Moses apportioned for an inheritance in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho to the east (v 32).
The term inheritance (Hebrew "naḥalâ") refers to an allotted portion of land granted to someone. It is a property inherited by descendants and cannot be sold. The biblical writers did not use "naḥalâ") to speak about movable possessions (such as a flock of animals) or purchased property. Instead, they used it to refer to a territory granted to someone. This meaning resonates well with the land inheritance in Joshua. Since it was a gift from God, the Israelites were to take possession of it in an orderly manner. That is why Moses distributed the eastern land to the two and a half tribes.
However, to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance (v 33).
Thetribe of Levi descended from Levi, one of the sons of Jacob/Israel (Deuteronomy 33:8). They served as priests to minister to the people before the LORD. Their responsibilities included carrying "the ark of the covenant of the LORD" when the Israelites traveled (Deuteronomy 10:8; 31:9). Also, they offered sacrifices to God and pronounced the priestly benediction upon the people (Deuteronomy 10:8; 2 Chronicles 29:11; Ezekiel 44:15; Numbers 6:24-26). Their role and function prevented them from having land to farm or raise livestock.
Nevertheless, the Levites' possession was greater than that of the other tribes: The LORD, the God of Israel, was their inheritance (v 33). The Levites were to rely upon the offerings and dues of the other tribes. They could not hold any secular job, for the purpose of having total devotion and ample time to serving God and leading the people in religious rituals commanded by God. Therefore, they received the greatest inheritance, Yahweh, as He had promised to them (v 33). In short, the offerings and tithes presented by the other tribes would fulfill the promise God had made to the Levites when they received no allotment of land (Numbers 18:21-24).
The chapter closes by repeating its most striking statement: "the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance" (v 33). The repetition from verse 14 closes the entire eastern land list. Every boundary line in this chapter marks something God gave; Levi's portion shows the Giver Himself is the greater gift. The New Testament extends this hope to every believer, who is born again "to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4).
Joshua 13:32-33
32 These are the territories which Moses apportioned for an inheritance in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho to the east.
33 But to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He had promised to them.
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Joshua 13:32-33 meaning
Joshua 13:32-33 summarizes the division of the land east of the Jordan and explains why the tribe of Levi did not receive an inheritance. The LORD is a loving God. He demonstrated His care for the twelve tribes of Israel by redeeming them from Egyptian slavery and guiding them through the wilderness. After forty years in the desert, the people finally approached Canaan, a fertile land west of the Jordan River that God had promised to give them as an everlasting possession.
The people of Israel agreed to a covenant/treaty with God, where God would be their King and they would keep His commandments. They were called to live as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:4-6) in contrast to the pagan, sinful, child-sacrificing nations of the world (Leviticus 18).
As they traveled east of the river, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, requested this area, as it was ideal for their cattle grazing.
Initially, Moses was reluctant. But he consented when the eastern tribes vowed to assist their brethren in the conquest of Canaan. Thus, after subjugating King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan, Moses distributed their land. Reuben received the territory east of the Dead Sea, which the Moabites previously occupied. Gad inherited a portion of the land of Gilead, in the center of the region. The half-tribe of Manasseh received the rich land of Bashan east of the Sea of Galilee as their inheritance (Joshua 13:15-31). Many years later Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh would be the first tribes that were exiled by the Assyrian army invading from the east (1 Chronicles 5:26).
But as for the tribe of Levi, their inheritance was God, to serve as His priests. The text concludes its restatement of the inheritance of the tribes who settled beyond the River, These are the territories which Moses apportioned for an inheritance in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho to the east (v 32).
The term inheritance (Hebrew "naḥalâ") refers to an allotted portion of land granted to someone. It is a property inherited by descendants and cannot be sold. The biblical writers did not use "naḥalâ") to speak about movable possessions (such as a flock of animals) or purchased property. Instead, they used it to refer to a territory granted to someone. This meaning resonates well with the land inheritance in Joshua. Since it was a gift from God, the Israelites were to take possession of it in an orderly manner. That is why Moses distributed the eastern land to the two and a half tribes.
However, to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance (v 33).
The tribe of Levi descended from Levi, one of the sons of Jacob/Israel (Deuteronomy 33:8). They served as priests to minister to the people before the LORD. Their responsibilities included carrying "the ark of the covenant of the LORD" when the Israelites traveled (Deuteronomy 10:8; 31:9). Also, they offered sacrifices to God and pronounced the priestly benediction upon the people (Deuteronomy 10:8; 2 Chronicles 29:11; Ezekiel 44:15; Numbers 6:24-26). Their role and function prevented them from having land to farm or raise livestock.
Nevertheless, the Levites' possession was greater than that of the other tribes: The LORD, the God of Israel, was their inheritance (v 33). The Levites were to rely upon the offerings and dues of the other tribes. They could not hold any secular job, for the purpose of having total devotion and ample time to serving God and leading the people in religious rituals commanded by God. Therefore, they received the greatest inheritance, Yahweh, as He had promised to them (v 33). In short, the offerings and tithes presented by the other tribes would fulfill the promise God had made to the Levites when they received no allotment of land (Numbers 18:21-24).
The chapter closes by repeating its most striking statement: "the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance" (v 33). The repetition from verse 14 closes the entire eastern land list. Every boundary line in this chapter marks something God gave; Levi's portion shows the Giver Himself is the greater gift. The New Testament extends this hope to every believer, who is born again "to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4).