Deuteronomy 18:1

Authorized King James Version

The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
יִ֠הְיֶה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#3
לַכֹּֽהֲנִ֨ים
The priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#4
הַלְוִיִּ֜ם
the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#5
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
שֵׁ֧בֶט
and all the tribe
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#7
לֵוִ֛י
of Levi
levi, a son of jacob
#8
חֵ֥לֶק
shall have no part
properly, smoothness (of the tongue)
#9
וְנַֽחֲלָת֖וֹ
and his inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#10
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#11
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
with Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#12
אִשֵּׁ֧י
made by fire
properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice
#13
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
וְנַֽחֲלָת֖וֹ
and his inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#15
יֹֽאכֵלֽוּן׃
they shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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