Sirach 45:22 - Howbeit in the land of the people he shall have no inheritance, And he has no portion among the people: For he himself is your portion and inheritance.

Generated Verse: Sirach 45:22

What does "Sirach 45:22" mean?


Sirach 45:22 refers to the priestly tribe of Levi in the Old Testament. Let's break down the meaning:

"Howbeit in the land of the people he shall have no inheritance, and he has no portion among the people:" This is a direct reference to the fact that the tribe of Levi, unlike the other eleven tribes of Israel, was not allocated a specific territory or land allotment within the Promised Land. While the other tribes received inheritances of land to cultivate and live on, the Levites did not.

"For he himself is your portion and inheritance." This means that God Himself is the "portion" and "inheritance" of the Levites. Their sustenance and support would come directly from God through the offerings and tithes brought by the people of Israel to the temple. Their role was to serve God in the temple, offering sacrifices and ministering to the people spiritually. Therefore, their reward and provision were found in their relationship with God and the contributions of the other tribes to the temple.

In essence, the verse explains that the Levites were set apart for religious service and were financially supported by the other tribes. They did not need land to cultivate because their primary function was to care for the spiritual needs of the Israelites. God's provision and their relationship with Him were their inheritance.