Only unto the tribe of Levi, etc This exception was also necessary, lest the Levites might allege that they were unjustly disinherited, and thus excite great commotions in regard to their right. He therefore reminds them that Moses was the author of this distinction, and, at the same time, shows that they have no reason to complain of having been in any way defrauded, because an excellent compensation was given them. For although the sacrifices were not equally divided among the Levites, their subsistence was sufficiently provided for by all the first-fruits and the tithes. Moreover, as God allures them by hire to undertake the charge of sacred things, so he exhorts the people in their turn to be faithful in paying the sacred oblations by declaring that their sacrifices are the maintenance of the Levites. [1]

Footnotes

1 - To the end of this verse the Septuagint adds the following clause: "kai outos ho katamerismos hon katemerise Monsos tois huiois Israel en Araboth Moab en to peran tou Iordanou kata Iericho;" "And this is the division which Moses divided to the children of Israel in Araboth-Moab beyond Jordan opposite to Jericho." -- Ed.

See Deuteronomy 18:1-5 and notes.

Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire [are] (e) their inheritance, as he said unto them.
(e) Levi will live by the sacrifices, (Numbers 18:21).

Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance,.... Neither the Lord, nor Moses by his order, nor did he appoint any inheritance for them, either beyond Jordan, or on this side it, for the Lord was to be their inheritance, Numbers 18:20;
the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them; Deuteronomy 18:1; and which are put for the whole of what was granted to them for their subsistence, as tithes, firstfruits, &c.

The tribe of Levi was to receive no land, but the firings of Jehovah, i.e., the offerings, including the tithes and first-fruits (Leviticus 27:30-32, compared with Numbers 18:21-32), were to be its inheritance; so that the God of Israel himself is called the inheritance of Levi in Joshua 13:33 as in Numbers 18:20, to which the words "as He said unto them" refer (see the commentary on Numbers 18:20).

He gave - That is, Moses. None inheritance - Namely, in the land beyond Jordan, where yet a considerable part of the Levites were to have their settled abode. This is mentioned as the reason both why Moses gave all that land to the Reubenites and Gadites and Manassites; and why Joshua should divide the land only into nine parts and an half, as was said, Joshua 13:7, because Levi was otherwise provided for. Made by fire - Which are here put for all the sacrifices and oblations, including first - fruits and tithes, that were assigned to the Levites; and this passage is repeated, to prevent those calumnies and injuries which God foresaw the Levites were likely to meet with, from the malice, envy and covetousness of their brethren.