Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 13:14
Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire [are] their inheritance, as he said unto them.
14. Only unto the tribe of Levi ] The Levites not being destined for agriculture, but being intended to become the regular teachers of the people, received no inheritance. See Jos 13:33, and ch. Jos 14:3-4.
the sacrifices of the Lord God ] “the sacryfices, and the slayn offryngis of the Lord God of Yrael,” Wyclif. The offerings of Jehovah were to be their portion (Num 18:20; Deu 10:9; Deu 18:2).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He, i.e. Moses, as is expressed Jos 13:33, gave none inheritance, to wit, in the land beyond Jordan, where yet a considerable part of the Levites were to have their settled abode. This is mentioned as the reason both why Moses gave all that land to the Reubenites, and Gadites, and Manassites; and why Joshua should divide the land only into nine parts and a half, as was said, Jos 13:7, because Levi was otherwise provided for
Sacrifices of the Lord made by fire; which by a synecdoche are here put for all those sacrifices and oblations, including first-fruits and tithes, which were assigned to the Levites; and this passage is so oft repeated and urged, to prevent those calumnies and injuries which God foresaw the Levites were likely to meet with from the malice, envy, and covetousness of their brethren; and to oblige all the other tribes to a cheerful and conscionable giving to the Levites their dues, to which they had as good a right and title as they had to their several possessions.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance,…. Neither the Lord, nor Moses by his order, nor did he appoint any inheritance for them, either beyond Jordan, or on this side it, for the Lord was to be their inheritance, Nu 18:20;
the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire [are] their inheritance, as he said unto them; De 18:1; and which are put for the whole of what was granted to them for their subsistence, as tithes, firstfruits, &c.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
14. Only unto the tribe of Levi, etc This exception was also necessary, lest the Levites might allege that they were unjustly disinherited, and thus excite great commotions in regard to their right. He therefore reminds them that Moses was the author of this distinction, and, at the same time, shows that they have no reason to complain of having been in any way defrauded, because an excellent compensation was given them. For although the sacrifices were not equally divided among the Levites, their subsistence was sufficiently provided for by all the first-fruits and the tithes. Moreover, as God allures them by hire to undertake the charge of sacred things, so he exhorts the people in their turn to be faithful in paying the sacred oblations by declaring that their sacrifices are the maintenance of the Levites. (135)
(135) To the end of this verse the Septuagint adds the following clause: “ καὶ οὖτος ὁ καταμερισμὸς ὅν κατεμέρισε Μωνσὢς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραὴλ ἐν Αραβὼθ Μωὰβ ἐν τῷ πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου κατὰ Ιεριχὼ;” “And this is the division which Moses divided to the children of Israel in Araboth-Moab beyond Jordan opposite to Jericho.” — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
14. Only unto the tribe of Levi Moses did not give any inheritance to the nine and a half tribes, not from lack of purpose, but from lack of opportunity. But the Levites he excluded from a territorial allotment by an express prohibition to Joshua. They received scattered cities with a narrow margin of pasture lands, but no separate share of the land. See chap. 21. Sacrifices is here used, in a broad sense, to include all offerings, even those, like the show bread, which were eaten and not burned. The Vulgate has it sacrificia et victimae. They were to receive a tenth of the fruits of the field, the trees, and the cattle. Twelve tribes received allotments because the two sons of Joseph were each reckoned as a tribe.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Particular exception is made of the tribe of Levi, and the reason: and which is yet further explained in Jos 13:33 . Dearest Jesus! be thou my portion, and having thee I shall possess all things! 1Co 3:22-23 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 13:14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire [are] their inheritance, as he said unto them.
Ver. 14. Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance. ] Because God was to be their portion: Y , as Lucian speaketh of his heathenish priests.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
See note on Jos 13:33. Jos 14:3, Jos 14:4, Num 18:20-24, Deu 10:9, Deu 12:12, Deu 12:19, Deu 18:2
Reciprocal: Num 26:62 – those that Deu 3:12 – from Aroer Deu 18:1 – they shall Jos 18:7 – the Levites Eze 44:28 – I am their inheritance
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 13:14. To the tribe of Levi he Namely, Moses; gave none inheritance That is, none in the land beyond Jordan, where yet a considerable part of the Levites were to have their settled abode. This is mentioned as the reason both why Moses gave all that land to the Reubenites, and Gadites, and Manassites, and why Joshua should divide the land only into nine parts and a half, as was said, Jos 13:7; because Levi was otherwise provided for. Made by fire Which are here put for all the sacrifices and oblations, including first-fruits and tithes, that were assigned to the Levites, and this passage is repeated to prevent those calumnies and injuries which God foresaw the Levites were likely to meet with, from the malice, envy, and covetousness of their brethren.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
13:14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire [are] {e} their inheritance, as he said unto them.
(e) Levi will live by the sacrifices, Num 18:21.