Topical Bible: Land: Priests' Part In

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In the biblical context, the land held significant spiritual and practical importance, particularly concerning the role and inheritance of the priests, the descendants of Aaron, and the Levites. The priests, who were set apart for sacred duties, had a unique relationship with the land as outlined in the Scriptures.

Inheritance and Provision

Unlike the other tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi, which included the priests, did not receive a specific territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead, their inheritance was the Lord Himself and the offerings made by fire to Him. As stated in Deuteronomy 18:1-2 , "The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the offerings made by fire to the LORD, for that is their inheritance. Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them."

This unique arrangement underscored the spiritual role of the priests and Levites, emphasizing their dependence on God and the community's support through tithes and offerings. Numbers 18:20-21 further clarifies, "And the LORD said to Aaron, 'You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the work of the Tent of Meeting.'"

Cities and Pasturelands

While the priests and Levites did not receive a large contiguous territory, they were allotted specific cities and surrounding pasturelands within the territories of the other tribes. This provision ensured that they had places to live and resources to sustain their families and livestock. Joshua 21 details the allocation of these cities, emphasizing the integration of the priestly tribe within the broader community of Israel.

Role in the Land

The priests played a crucial role in the spiritual life of Israel, serving as mediators between God and the people. They were responsible for performing sacrifices, maintaining the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), and teaching the Law. Their presence throughout the land, facilitated by the distribution of cities, allowed them to minister to the people and ensure the observance of God's commandments.

Moreover, the priests had specific duties related to the land itself, such as overseeing the observance of the Sabbatical year and the Year of Jubilee, which included the restoration of property and the liberation of indentured servants. Leviticus 25:8-13 outlines these responsibilities, highlighting the priests' role in maintaining social and economic justice in accordance with divine law.

Spiritual Significance

The arrangement of the priests' relationship to the land served as a constant reminder of the centrality of worship and obedience to God in the life of Israel. By not having a territorial inheritance, the priests exemplified a life of faith and reliance on God's provision, setting a spiritual standard for the nation. Their service and sustenance were directly tied to the people's faithfulness in giving, reflecting a covenantal relationship between God, the priests, and the Israelites.

In summary, the priests' part in the land was characterized by a unique inheritance, a network of cities for habitation, and a vital role in the spiritual and communal life of Israel. Their position underscored the importance of worship, teaching, and justice, serving as a living testament to God's provision and the nation's covenantal obligations.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 47:22
Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: why they sold not their lands.
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Ezekiel 48:10
And for them, even for the priests, shall be this holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the middle thereof.
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Library

part 1
... of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the ... received from their annual increase,
and the priests themselves were ... they had settled down in the land, how that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 1.htm

Ascalon. Gerar. The Story of the Eighty Witches.
... to the priests. The greatest part of the city, if not the whole, was esteemed, under
the second Temple, to be without the limits of the land: but some part, or ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 14 ascalon gerar the.htm

Numbers
... a description of the boundaries of the land allotted to ... By far the largest part of
the book comes ... i.-x., 28, with its interest in priests, Levites, tabernacle ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times.
... the second step, which brought him into the promised land. ... in any official sense
to be regarded as priests. ... error may have been derived, in part, from Judaism ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm

His Arrival in his Native Land and the virtues Practised There ...
... for him, and began his journey toward his native land. ... Those who were not priests
were ordained at Venice, having ... For my part, I do not remember the particulars ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter viii his arrival in.htm

On Deut. xxxiii. Ii
... Part I."Exegetical ... for thou art to bring the children of Israel into the land which
God ... secondary law," or "Deuteronomy"), and gave it to the priests the sons ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/section x on deut xxxiii.htm

Chapter xlvii
... Joseph made it an ordinance concerning the land of Egypt unto this day for Pharaoh
in the matter of the fifth part. Only the land of the priests belonged to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm

The Second Part.
... to whip and launce their skinnes with Baals Priests; and yet ... upon the stage, that
for the most part, their actions ... have an eye to the Compasse and land-marks. ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the second part.htm

The Greek Philosophy in Great Part Derived from the Barbarians.
... Chapter XV."The Greek Philosophy in Great Part Derived from ... Egypt, to learn from
the Magi and the priests. ... Saviour's birth, and came into the land of Jud??a ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xv the greek philosophy in.htm

The Land and the People.
... to Galilee where Jesus spent the most popular part of his ... of the great deliverance
from the land of bondage ... and pay greater reverence to its priests and teachers ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 17 the land and.htm