Deuteronomy 14:27
Deuteronomy 14:27 in Multiple Translations
And do not neglect the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.
And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee.
And give a thought to the Levite who is living among you, for he has no part or heritage in the land.
Don't forget to take care of the Levites in your town, because they don't have any share in the allotment of land.
And the Leuite that is within thy gates, shalt thou not forsake: for he hath neither part nor inheritance with thee.
As to the Levite who [is] within thy gates, thou dost not forsake him, for he hath no portion and inheritance with thee.
You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no portion nor inheritance with you.
And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
And the Levite that is within thy gates, beware thou forsake him not, because he hath no other part in thy possession.
But be sure to not neglect/forget to help the descendants of Levi who live in your towns, because they will not own any land.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 14:27
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 14:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הַ/לֵּוִ֥י
אֲשֶׁר
בִּ/שְׁעָרֶ֖י/ךָ
לֹ֣א
תַֽעַזְבֶ֑/נּוּ
כִּ֣י
אֵ֥ין
ל֛/וֹ
חֵ֥לֶק
וְ/נַחֲלָ֖ה
עִמָּֽ/ךְ
וְ/הַ/לֵּוִ֥י
Lêvîyîy
H3881
Levi
Conj | Art | Ngmsa
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
בִּ/שְׁעָרֶ֖י/ךָ
shaʻar
H8179
gate
Prep | N-mp | Suff
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תַֽעַזְבֶ֑/נּוּ
ʻâzab
H5800
Forsaken
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
ל֛/וֹ
Prep | Suff
חֵ֥לֶק
chêleq
H2506
portion
N-ms
וְ/נַחֲלָ֖ה
nachălâh
H5159
inheritance
Conj | N-fs
עִמָּֽ/ךְ
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 14:27
וְ/הַ/לֵּוִ֥י
Lêvîyîy
H3881
"Levi"
Conj | Art | Ngmsa
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
בִּ/שְׁעָרֶ֖י/ךָ
shaʻar
H8179
"gate"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gate or door, often referring to city entrances or temple doors, like in Genesis and Exodus. It can also symbolize a meeting place or marketplace. The word is used to describe important locations in the Bible.
Definition: : gate 1) gate 1a) gate (of entrance) 1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place) 1b1) city, town 1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle) 1d) heaven
Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תַֽעַזְבֶ֑/נּוּ
ʻâzab
H5800
"Forsaken"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
ל֛/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
חֵ֥לֶק
chêleq
H2506
"portion"
N-ms
Smoothness can refer to flattering words, but also to an inheritance or a portion of something. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, describing the smooth tongue of a deceiver.
Definition: 1) portion, share, part, territory 1a) portion, share 1b) portion, tract, parcel (of land) 1c) one's portion, one's possession 1d) (chosen) portion 1e) portion, award (from God) Aramaic equivalent: cha.laq (חֲלָק "portion" H2508)
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: flattery, inheritance, part, [idiom] partake, portion. See also: Genesis 14:24; Job 27:13; Psalms 16:5.
וְ/נַחֲלָ֖ה
nachălâh
H5159
"inheritance"
Conj | N-fs
Inheritance refers to something passed down, like property or a family heirloom, as seen in the Bible's discussion of dividing land among tribes in Joshua. It represents a person's share or possession. The concept is crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family and legacy.
Definition: 1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage 1a) property 1b) portion, share 1c) inheritance, portion
Usage: Occurs in 191 OT verses. KJV: heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare H5158 (נַחַל). See also: Genesis 31:14; Joshua 23:4; Psalms 2:8.
עִמָּֽ/ךְ
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 14:27
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Giving Tithes
25then exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place the LORD your God will choose.
26Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household.
27And do not neglect the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.
28At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and lay it up within your gates. 29Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 18:20 | Then 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. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 14:29 | Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 12:12 | And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 12:18–19 | Instead, you must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do, and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land. |
| 5 | Galatians 6:6 | Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 18:1–2 | The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the offerings made by fire to the LORD; that is their inheritance. Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them. |
| 7 | 1 Timothy 5:17 | Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. |
Deuteronomy 14:27 Summary
This verse reminds us to take care of the Levites, who were the spiritual leaders and servants of God, because they didn't have any land or inheritance. It's like making sure our pastors and church workers are supported so they can focus on serving God and the community. We should include them in our celebrations and make sure they have what they need, just like we would want to be taken care of (as seen in Deuteronomy 12:12 and Acts 2:45). By doing this, we show that we value the work they do for the Lord and we are being obedient to God's commands to care for one another, as taught in Galatians 6:2 and Matthew 25:40.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Levites mentioned specifically in Deuteronomy 14:27?
The Levites are mentioned because they had no inheritance or portion of land, as stated in Deuteronomy 14:27, and were dependent on the support of the other tribes, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:1-2 and Numbers 18:21-24.
What does it mean to 'not neglect' the Levite in this context?
To not neglect the Levite means to provide for their material needs and ensure they are included in the community's celebrations and support, as instructed in Deuteronomy 14:27 and Deuteronomy 14:29, reflecting the principle of caring for one another found in Galatians 6:2 and Acts 2:45.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Deuteronomy 14:27 is part of the larger discussion on how the Israelites are to conduct their religious festivals and take care of the less fortunate, including the Levites, as outlined in Deuteronomy 14:22-29, emphasizing the importance of worship, gratitude, and social responsibility, as also taught in Deuteronomy 12:12 and Psalm 100:4.
What is the spiritual significance of remembering the Levites?
Remembering the Levites, who were set apart for God's service, serves as a reminder to prioritize the well-being of those in ministry and to recognize the importance of supporting those who serve the Lord, as encouraged in 1 Timothy 5:17-18 and 1 Corinthians 9:13-14.
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the principle of not neglecting those in need, like the Levites, in my own community and church?
- What are some ways I can ensure that those who serve the Lord, like pastors and missionaries, are supported and cared for?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of what it means to truly worship and rejoice in the presence of God, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 14:26?
- In what ways can I reflect the heart of God by showing compassion and generosity to those who are less fortunate, as seen in Deuteronomy 14:29 and Matthew 25:40?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 14:27
And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him,.... As not from giving him the first tithe, as Jarchi remarks, so he was not to forget him in this; he was not to leave him
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 14:27
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:27
Thou shalt not forsake him; thou shalt give him a share in such tithes, or in the product of them.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 14:27
27. the Levite within thy gates] The rural minister, dispossessed of his allowances by the removal of the tithe from the local sanctuaries. thou shalt not forsake him] Not in LXX: which adds stranger, orphan, and widow, and other formulas—an instance of how readily these were added by various editors.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 14:27
| Sermon | Description | |
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(Genesis) - Part 15 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of Abraham's deep sleep and the covenant God made with him. He explains that just as God put Adam into a deep sleep and gave |
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(Practical Discipleship) 3. Discipleship and Money Matters by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of choosing between serving God or Mammon (money and material riches), emphasizing that disciples of Jesus cannot love both. He highlights the |
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Everything in Jesus by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes that while God bestows many gifts upon humanity, His greatest gift is Himself. He explains that our true fulfillment comes from knowing and enjoying God, as w |
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Eight Ways of Deceiving Ourselves by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the company we keep and the conversations we engage in. He warns against deceiving ourselves by thinking we can overcome ne |
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(Through the Bible) Galatians 5-6 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the dangers of modern conveniences that distract us from our relationship with God. He warns against wasting time on TV shows and fantasies |
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Opportunity and Accountability by Michael L. Brown | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the church is not just a place to gather and look good, but a place where the mission of God is carried out. He encourages everyone to d |
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Harvesting Eternal Rewards - Part 4 by Josef Tson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of preaching and teaching the word of God. He emphasizes the idea that preachers should focus on feeding and nourishing their |