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The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/18-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/04_Num_18_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 18:23 - Offerings for Priests and Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. 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This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Only the Levites may serve at the Tabernacle, and they will be held responsible for any offenses against it. This is a permanent law for you, to be observed from generation to generation. The Levites will receive no allotment of land among the Israelites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the people of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: <i>it shall be</i> a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; <i>it shall be</i> a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Only the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their <i>own</i> guilt; <i>it shall be</i> a permanent statute throughout your generations, and among the sons of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Only the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the sons of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Only the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the sons of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Only the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the sons of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Only the Levites shall perform the service of the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle), and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that the Levites shall have no inheritance [of land] among the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites will do the work of the tent of meeting, and they will bear the consequences of their iniquity. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites; this is a permanent statute throughout your generations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites will do the work of the tent of meeting, and they will bear the consequences of their sin. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites; this is a permanent statute throughout your generations. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations; and among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, and among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Only the Levites will do the work at the tent of meeting. They will be responsible for their own sins. This is a permanent law for future generations. They will own no property as the other Israelites will.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />From now on only the Levites will take care of the Tent and bear the full responsibility for it. This is a permanent rule that applies also to your descendants. The Levites shall have no permanent property in Israel, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The descendants of Levi are to perform the service of the Tent of Meeting and they are to bear their iniquity. This is to be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that they are not to receive an inheritance among the Israelis, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But the Levites must perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. It will be a perpetual ordinance throughout your generations that among the Israelites the Levites have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But the Levites shall do the service of the Tent of Meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations; and among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: It shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But the Levites shall do the service of the Tent of Meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. Among the children of Israel, they shall have no inheritance. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the Levites have done the service of the Tent of Meeting, and they bear their iniquity; [it is] a continuous statute throughout your generations that they have no inheritance in the midst of the sons of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the Levites have done the service of the tent of meeting, and they -- they bear their iniquity; a statute age-during to your generations, that in the midst of the sons of Israel they have no inheritance;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it is the Levite serving the service of the tent of appointment, and they shall bear their iniquity a law forever to your generations, and in the midst of the sons of Israel they shall not inherit an inheritance.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But only the sons of Levi may serve me in the tabernacle, and bear the sins of the people. It shall be an everlasting ordinance in your generations. They shall not possess any other thing, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Only the sons of Levi may serve me in the tabernacle and may carry the sins of the people. It shall be an everlasting ordinance in your generations. They shall possess nothing else;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Only the Levites are to perform the labor pertaining to the tent of meeting, and they shall incur the penalty for the Israelites’ sin; this is a permanent statute for all your generations. But they shall not have any heritage among the Israelites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear responsibility for their own offenses; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations. But among the Israelites they shall have no allotment,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute for ever throughout their generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Levites shall serve the service of the Time Tabernacle and they shall bear their evil; it is the law forever for their generations and among the sons of Israel: they shall not inherit an inheritance.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But the Levites alone shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, and among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Levite himself shall perform the service of the tabernacle of witness; and they shall bear their iniquities, it is a perpetual statute throughout their generations; and in the midst of the children of Israel they shall not receive an inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/18-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=5875" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/18.htm">Offerings for Priests and Levites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: hal·lê·wî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">The Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: wə·‘ā·ḇaḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">are to perform</a> <a href="/hebrew/5656.htm" title="5656: ‘ă·ḇō·ḏaṯ (N-fsc) -- Labor, service. Or mabowdah; from abad; work of any kind.">the work</a> <a href="/hebrew/168.htm" title="168: ’ō·hel (N-msc) -- A tent. From 'ahal; a tent.">of the Tent</a> <a href="/hebrew/4150.htm" title="4150: mō·w·‘êḏ (N-ms) -- Appointed time, place, or meeting. ">of Meeting,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: wə·hêm (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">and they</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: yiś·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">must bear</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wō·nām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">their iniquity.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: ‘ō·w·lām (N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">This is a permanent</a> <a href="/hebrew/2708.htm" title="2708: ḥuq·qaṯ (N-fsc) -- Something prescribed, an enactment, statute. Feminine of choq, and meaning substantially the same.">statute</a> <a href="/hebrew/1755.htm" title="1755: lə·ḏō·rō·ṯê·ḵem (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Period, generation, dwelling. Or dor; from duwr; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. An age or generation; also a dwelling.">for the generations to come.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">The Levites will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5157.htm" title="5157: yin·ḥă·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to inherit (figurative) mode of descent), or to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or distribute, instate.">receive an inheritance</a> <a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: na·ḥă·lāh (N-fs) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: ū·ḇə·ṯō·wḵ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">among</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Israelites.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>For I have given to the Levites as their inheritance the tithe that the Israelites present to the LORD as a contribution. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-5.htm">Hebrews 7:5</a></span><br />Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-1.htm">Deuteronomy 18:1-2</a></span><br />The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-13.htm">1 Corinthians 9:13-14</a></span><br />Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/6-16.htm">Leviticus 6:16-18</a></span><br />Aaron and his sons are to eat the remainder. It must be eaten without leaven in a holy place; they are to eat it in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting. / It must not be baked with leaven; I have assigned it as their portion of My food offerings. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering. / Any male among the sons of Aaron may eat it. This is a permanent portion from the food offerings to the LORD for the generations to come. Anything that touches them will become holy.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/10-37.htm">Nehemiah 10:37-39</a></span><br />Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor. / A priest of Aaron’s line is to accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of these tithes to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God. / For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/10-8.htm">Leviticus 10:8-11</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Aaron, / “You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come. / You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-28.htm">1 Chronicles 23:28-32</a></span><br />but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God, / as well as for the rows of the showbread, the fine flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baking, the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size. / They were also to stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the LORD, and likewise in the evening. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4-7</a></span><br />Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. / True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/31-4.htm">2 Chronicles 31:4-6</a></span><br />Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. / As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything. / And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-28.htm">Ezekiel 44:28-30</a></span><br />In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession. / They shall eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them. / The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-10.htm">Matthew 10:10</a></span><br />Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/13-14.htm">Joshua 13:14</a></span><br />To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-7.htm">Luke 10:7</a></span><br />Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-28.htm">1 Samuel 2:28</a></span><br />And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.</p><p class="hdg">do the service</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-7.htm">Numbers 3:7</a></b></br> And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.</p><p class="hdg">among</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/18-20.htm">Numbers 18:20</a></b></br> And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I <i>am</i> thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/15-15.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">Errors</a> <a href="/numbers/18-19.htm">Everlasting</a> <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/18-6.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Meeting</a> <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">Offenses</a> <a href="/numbers/15-24.htm">Ordinance</a> <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Perform</a> <a href="/numbers/18-19.htm">Perpetual</a> <a href="/numbers/14-24.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/numbers/7-5.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/numbers/18-4.htm">Responsibility</a> <a href="/numbers/18-5.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Service</a> <a href="/numbers/18-19.htm">Statute</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/19-21.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/numbers/23-9.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/numbers/30-15.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/numbers/18-24.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/18-31.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/psalms/19-12.htm">Errors</a> <a href="/numbers/19-10.htm">Everlasting</a> <a href="/numbers/18-24.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/numbers/18-24.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/numbers/23-21.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/numbers/18-24.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/18-24.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/18-24.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/numbers/18-31.htm">Meeting</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-50.htm">Offenses</a> <a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Ordinance</a> <a href="/numbers/22-20.htm">Perform</a> <a href="/numbers/19-10.htm">Perpetual</a> <a href="/numbers/18-24.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/numbers/18-26.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-26.htm">Responsibility</a> <a href="/numbers/22-4.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/numbers/18-31.htm">Service</a> <a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Statute</a> <a href="/numbers/18-31.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/numbers/18-31.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/numbers/26-2.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/numbers/18-31.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">The charge of the priests and Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/18-8.htm">The priests, portion</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">The Levites,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/18-25.htm">The heave offering to the priests out of the Levites' portion</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting</b><br>The Levites were set apart for the service of the Tabernacle, later the Temple, as described in <a href="/exodus/25.htm">Exodus 25-31 and 35</a>-40. Their duties included maintaining the sacred space, assisting the priests, and ensuring the proper conduct of worship. This role was crucial for the spiritual life of Israel, as the Tent of Meeting was where God's presence dwelled among His people (<a href="/exodus/40-34.htm">Exodus 40:34-38</a>). The Levites' service foreshadows the priesthood of all believers in Christ (<a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a>), who are called to serve God and maintain spiritual worship.<p><b>and they must bear their iniquity</b><br>The Levites were responsible for any transgressions related to their duties, highlighting the seriousness of their role. This concept of bearing iniquity is seen in the sacrificial system, where the priest bore the sins of the people (<a href="/leviticus/10-17.htm">Leviticus 10:17</a>). It points to the ultimate bearing of iniquity by Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the sins of the world (<a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a>, <a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a>).<p><b>This is a permanent statute for the generations to come</b><br>The enduring nature of this command underscores the perpetual need for dedicated service to God. It reflects the unchanging nature of God's requirements for holiness and order in worship. This permanence is echoed in the New Covenant, where the principles of worship and service continue through the Church (<a href="/hebrews/13-15.htm">Hebrews 13:15-16</a>).<p><b>The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites</b><br>Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a portion of the land in Canaan (<a href="/joshua/13-33.htm">Joshua 13:33</a>). Their inheritance was the Lord Himself and the tithes and offerings of the people (<a href="/numbers/18-24.htm">Numbers 18:24</a>). This arrangement emphasizes reliance on God rather than material possessions, a principle echoed in the New Testament where believers are called to store up treasures in heaven (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>). The Levites' unique position points to the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ (<a href="/ephesians/1-11.htm">Ephesians 1:11</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a></b><br>A tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service in the Tent of Meeting. They were responsible for the spiritual welfare of the nation and had no land inheritance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/tent_of_meeting.htm">Tent of Meeting</a></b><br>Also known as the Tabernacle, it was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/o/offenses.htm">Offenses</a></b><br>Refers to any violations or sins committed against the sacred duties and responsibilities associated with the Tent of Meeting.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/permanent_statute.htm">Permanent Statute</a></b><br>A lasting ordinance or law that was to be observed by the Israelites throughout their generations.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/inheritance.htm">Inheritance</a></b><br>Refers to the land and possessions that were distributed among the tribes of Israel. The Levites were unique in that they did not receive a land inheritance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_service.htm">The Call to Service</a></b><br>The Levites were set apart for a specific purpose, reminding us that God calls each of us to serve in unique ways within the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/bearing_responsibility.htm">Bearing Responsibility</a></b><br>Just as the Levites bore the responsibility for offenses against the Tent of Meeting, we are called to bear responsibility for our actions and their impact on the community of believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>The Levites' lack of earthly inheritance points to the importance of valuing spiritual over material wealth, encouraging us to focus on eternal rewards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_across_generations.htm">Faithfulness Across Generations</a></b><br>The permanent statute for the Levites serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands across generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/priestly_identity_in_christ.htm">Priestly Identity in Christ</a></b><br>As believers, we are part of a royal priesthood, called to live lives of holiness and service, reflecting the dedication of the Levites.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_consecrated_lands_go_to_priests.htm">Leviticus 27:21: How could God’s law ordain that consecrated lands revert to the priests, potentially creating a power imbalance? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_num_18_20-24_conflict_on_levite_land.htm">Does the inheritance prohibition in Numbers 18:20-24 conflict with other passages that suggest Levites owned cities or land, indicating a possible textual inconsistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_num._18_15-19_and_deut._differ.htm">Why does Numbers 18:15-19 differ in certain details from parallel instructions in Deuteronomy regarding firstborn offerings, and how can these discrepancies be reconciled?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_levites_live_without_farmland.htm">If the Levites had no land inheritance (Joshua 21:2), how could they sustainably live in the granted cities without farmland?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they shall bear</span> (<span class="hebrew">יִשְׂאוּ</span>) <span class="cmt_word">their iniquity.</span> The Levites were to take the responsibility of the general iniquity so far as approach to the tabernacle was concerned. <span class="cmt_word">They have no inheritance.</span> Like the priests, they had homes and cities, and they had pasturages attached to these cities, but no separate territory. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/18-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלֵּוִ֜י</span> <span class="translit">(hal·lê·wî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are to perform</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָבַ֨ד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·ḇaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, to serve, till, enslave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the work</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבֹדַת֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇō·ḏaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5656.htm">Strong's 5656: </a> </span><span class="str2">Work of any kind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Tent</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹ֣הֶל</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·hel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_168.htm">Strong's 168: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Meeting,</span><br /><span class="heb">מוֹעֵ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(mō·w·‘êḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4150.htm">Strong's 4150: </a> </span><span class="str2">Appointed time, place, or meeting</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֵ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must bear</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂא֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their iniquity.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺנָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wō·nām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">This is a permanent</span><br /><span class="heb">עוֹלָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> </span><span class="str2">Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always</span><br /><br /><span class="word">statute</span><br /><span class="heb">חֻקַּ֤ת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥuq·qaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2708.htm">Strong's 2708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prescribed, an enactment, statute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the generations to come.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḏō·rō·ṯê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1755.htm">Strong's 1755: </a> </span><span class="str2">A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The Levites will not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">receive an inheritance</span><br /><span class="heb">יִנְחֲל֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yin·ḥă·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5157.htm">Strong's 5157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inherit, to occupy, to bequeath, distribute, instate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְתוֹךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·ṯō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Israelites.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/18-23.htm">Numbers 18:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/18-23.htm">OT Law: Numbers 18:23 But the Levites shall do the service (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/18-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 18:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 18:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/18-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 18:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 18:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>