Joshua 13:33
But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.
Original Language Analysis
וּלְשֵׁ֙בֶט֙
But unto the tribe
H7626
וּלְשֵׁ֙בֶט֙
But unto the tribe
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
1 of 14
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָתַ֥ן
gave
H5414
נָתַ֥ן
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נַֽחֲלָתָ֔ם
not any inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָתָ֔ם
not any inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
יְהוָ֞ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֞ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 14
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
נַֽחֲלָתָ֔ם
not any inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָתָ֔ם
not any inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Joshua 18:7But 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.Joshua 13:14Only 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.Deuteronomy 10:9Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.Numbers 18:20And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.
Historical Context
Machir's descendants became one of the most militarily significant clans in Israel. Their territory in Bashan and Gilead required constant defense against Aramean and later Assyrian pressures. First Chronicles 5:18-22 records their victories over Hagrites and other peoples. The family's division between Transjordan and Cisjordan territories created both opportunity (extensive holdings, diverse economic base) and challenge (maintaining unity across geographical separation).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the division of Machir's descendants between two territories illustrate the complexity that human choices introduce into divine blessing?
- What does the military reputation of the Machirites suggest about how frontier life develops strength and courage?
- How might families divided between territories serve as bridge-builders in maintaining unity, and what does this suggest for Christians in different contexts today?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families—Machir (מָכִיר) was Manasseh's son, and Gilead was Machir's son (Numbers 26:29). This verse emphasizes that only half of Machir's descendants settled east of Jordan; the other half later received inheritance west of Jordan. The Machirites became renowned warriors: "Machir came down from Machir" in Judges 5:14 celebrates their military prowess, and 1 Chronicles 7:14-19 details their genealogy.
The phrase "by their families" (l'mishpechotam, לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם) again emphasizes structured, equitable distribution. The division of Machir's descendants between Transjordan and Canaan proper created family ties spanning both sides of the Jordan, potentially serving as bridge between separated tribes. Yet it also meant families divided between territories, foreshadowing how human choices create complications even within God's overall provision. This verse completes the Transjordan allocation, documenting that Moses fulfilled his promise to give these tribes their requested inheritance before Israel's main conquest began.