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Genesis 49 · a question people ask

Was Levi's scattering a punishment?

In the text

Jacob says of Simeon and Levi, "I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel" (49:7). Later books record where each tribe ended up. Of Simeon: "Their inheritance was in the middle of the inheritance of the children of Judah" (Joshua 19:1). Of Levi: "Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance" (Joshua 13:33); instead the Levites had "forty-eight cities" among the other tribes (Joshua 21:41). And when Israel sinned with the golden calf, "All the sons of Levi gathered themselves together" to Moses (Exodus 32:26), who said it was "that he may give you a blessing today" (Exodus 32:29). Deuteronomy says, "Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance" (Deuteronomy 10:9). The text sets the scattering and the blessing side by side and doesn't say how to weigh them.

The verses

“Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.”
Genesis 49:7 · World English Bible
“The second lot came out for Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. Their inheritance was in the middle of the inheritance of the children of Judah.”
Joshua 19:1 · World English Bible
“But Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he spoke to them.”
Joshua 13:33 · World English Bible
“All the cities of the Levites among the possessions of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands.”
Joshua 21:41 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Genesis 49

Genesis 49: The scepter will not depart from Judah

Jacob spoke over all twelve sons, now called "the twelve tribes of Israel". Reuben, Simeon and Levi heard their sins named. To Judah he said, "The scepter will not depart from Judah", and Revelation calls Jesus "the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah". In the middle he prayed, "I have waited for your salvation, LORD." Then he was gathered to his people.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions