Joshua 14:3 Meaning and Explanation
“For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Two and a half tribes had already received land east of the Jordan, while the Levites were given no territorial inheritance.
What Does Joshua 14:3 Mean?
The verse explains the arithmetic. Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had settled east of the Jordan under Moses. The Levites, set apart for service at the sanctuary, received no tribal territory of their own. Their portion would be different in kind from the others'.
Scripture elsewhere gives the reason: the Lord himself was to be the Levites' inheritance. To have no land was not to be impoverished but to be uniquely possessed by God and devoted to him. This anticipates a calling every believer can recognize, to treasure the Giver above every gift, and to find in the Lord himself the portion that no earthly allotment could equal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 14:3
What does Joshua 14:3 mean?
Two and a half tribes had already received land east of the Jordan, while the Levites were given no territorial inheritance.