Originally the Levites were sentenced to landless possession due to their violent behaviour in the matter of the Shechemites (Genesis 49:5–7; Genesis 34:25–31) but later they redeemed themselves (Exodus 32:25–28) and were promised a blessing for it (Deuteronomy 33:8–11). The result was that they were the tribe responsible for the maintenance of the tabernacle and later the temple, a great honour given the fact that the Lord dwelt in the midst of Israel. Though they were given several cities in the land (see Joshua 21:1–45; Deuteronomy 10:8–9), they were primarily supported through the offerings given by the other tribes (see Deuteronomy 18:1–5; Numbers 18:20–32). Their inheritance was thus to receive the choicest offerings from the tithes which Israel presented to the Lord.
14 To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him.