13:33a

To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance: The tribe of Levi was the only tribe that did not receive land of their own.

The Hebrew text places the phrase To the tribe of Levi at the beginning of the sentence. In Hebrew this shows emphasis. In some languages it may not be natural to begin a sentence with this phrase. Use a way that is natural to emphasize that the tribe of Levi was different from the other tribes.

This verse is similar to verse 13:14.

13:33b

The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance: The phrase their inheritance indicates that the tribe of Levi had a special relationship with Yahweh, the God of Israel. They were the only tribe that served Yahweh at his altar in the Tent of Meeting. The words here are similar to Numbers 18:20.

just as He had promised them: The clause just as He had promised them indicates that Yahweh had previously promised this privilege to the tribe of Levi. See, for example, Deuteronomy 18:1-2.

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