Joshua 13:33

Authorized King James Version

But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּלְשֵׁ֙בֶט֙
But unto the tribe
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#2
הַלֵּוִ֔י
of Levi
levi, a son of jacob
#3
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#4
נָתַ֥ן
gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#5
מֹשֶׁ֖ה
Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#6
נַֽחֲלָתָ֔ם
not any inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#7
יְהוָ֞ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
God
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
#9
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#10
ה֣וּא
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
#11
נַֽחֲלָתָ֔ם
not any inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#12
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
דִּבֶּ֥ר
as he said
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#14
לָהֶֽם׃
H0

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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