Deuteronomy 14:27
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This verse isn't just about giving to the Levites; it's a powerful reminder that those who minister to us, whether in spiritual or practical ways, often have no other "inheritance" but our support. It calls us to be intentional about their well-being, not just because it's a religious duty, but because their livelihood is directly tied to our faithfulness in providing for them.
And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes right after instructions about tithing and celebratory feasts, where the Israelites are meant to share their blessings and enjoy them before the Lord. Moses is emphasizing that this generosity shouldn't exclude the Levites, who served God and didn't receive land like the other tribes. Therefore, they were to be supported by the community's tithes and provisions, ensuring they were not abandoned or overlooked in Israel's worship and sustenance.
Imagine a whole tribe dedicated to God's service, but with no land of their own. How was this supposed to work?
In ancient Israel, the Levites were a specific tribe set apart for religious duties – serving at the Tabernacle and later the Temple, teaching the law, and helping administer justice. Unlike the other tribes, they weren't given a specific inheritance of land in the Promised Land. This meant their livelihood depended entirely on the generosity and faithfulness of the other tribes, who were instructed to share their harvests and wealth with them.
What happens when we fulfill God's commands to care for those who serve Him? It's not just about giving; it's about active participation in God's work.
The command to support the Levites wasn't just a handout; it was a vital part of Israel's covenant relationship with God. By ensuring the Levites were provided for, the Israelites demonstrated their trust in God's provision and their commitment to the worship and teaching system He established. This generosity was expected to extend to other vulnerable groups like the stranger, orphan, and widow, weaving a fabric of community care. The underlying principle is that our resources are meant to be shared, especially with those who dedicate themselves to spiritual service and teaching, ensuring the continuity of God's work.
Understand the original words
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Levi · Hebrew Noun
The priestly tribe set apart for the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. They were not given a tribal land inheritance, as the Lord was their inheritance, and they relied on the tithes of the other tribes for their livelihood.
This passage explains the foundational reason for supporting the Levites: God declared that they would have no land inheritance because their inheritance was the Lord Himself, thus highlighting the ongoing need for the people's provision for them.
1 Corinthians 9:13Paul draws a parallel from the Old Testament Law, showing that just as those who served the altar were supported by the temple, so too ministers of the gospel should be supported by the church, echoing the principle of providing for those who serve.
Nehemiah 13:10This passage shows a later historical failure to uphold the command, where the Levites were not receiving their rightful portions and had to return to their fields, demonstrating the real-world consequences when this principle of support is neglected.
Galatians 6:6Paul teaches that 'let the one who is taught share all good things with the one who teaches,' which extends the principle of reciprocal support beyond the Old Testament Levitical system to the spiritual instruction received today.
Malachi 3:10This prophet directly confronts the people for robbing God by withholding tithes, linking their prosperity to their faithfulness in bringing 'the whole tithe into the storehouse,' which directly impacts the provision for God's servants, including Levites.
pooleDeuteronomy 14:27: "And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee."
Thou shalt not forsake him; thou shalt give him a share in such tithes, or in the product of them.
bensonDeuteronomy 14:27: "And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee."
Deuteronomy 14:27-28 . The Levite — thou shalt not forsake him — Thou shalt give him a share in such tithes, or in the product of them. At the end of three years — That is, in the third year, as it is expressed Deuteronomy 26:12 . The same year — This is added to show that he speaks of the third year, and not of the fourth, as some might conjecture from the pr…
This verse isn't just about giving to the Levites; it's a powerful reminder that those who minister to us, whether in spiritual or practical ways, often have no other "inheritance" but our support. It calls us to be intentional about their well-being, not just because it's a religious duty, but because their livelihood is directly tied to our faithfulness in providing for them.
This verse comes right after instructions about tithing and celebratory feasts, where the Israelites are meant to share their blessings and enjoy them before the Lord. Moses is emphasizing that this generosity shouldn't exclude the Levites, who served God and didn't receive land like the other tribes. Therefore, they were to be supported by the community's tithes and provisions, ensuring they were not abandoned or overlooked in Israel's worship and sustenance.
This verse comes right after instructions about tithing and celebratory feasts, where the Israelites are meant to share their blessings and enjoy them before the Lord. Moses is emphasizing that this generosity shouldn't exclude the Levites, who served God and didn't receive land like the other tribes. Therefore, they were to be supported by the community's tithes and provisions, ensuring they were not abandoned or overlooked in Israel's worship and sustenance.
"And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you." — This verse isn't just about giving to the Levites; it's a powerful reminder that those who minister to us, whether in spiritual or practical ways, often have no other "inheritance" but our support. I…
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Last reviewed October 2026
