Numbers 18:21

21 "I'm giving the Levites all the tithes of Israel as their pay for the work they do in the Tent of Meeting.

Numbers 18:21 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 18:21

And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth
in Israel for an inheritance
The tenth part of the produce of the land; of the wheat, barley, oil, and wine; the tenth part of their harvest and vintage; so that though they were the least of the tribes, they had the greatest share of the increase of the land, and that without any labour or expense; the other having but nine parts among them all, and at the charge and labour of manuring, cultivating and this they were to have

for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle
of the congregation;
see ( Numbers 18:3-6 ) .

Numbers 18:21 In-Context

19 All the holy offerings that the People of Israel set aside for God, I'm turning over to you and your children. That's the standard rule and includes both you and your children - a Covenant-of-Salt, eternal and unchangeable before God."
20 God said to Aaron, "You won't get any inheritance in land, not so much as a small plot of ground: I am your plot of ground, I am your inheritance among the People of Israel.
21 "I'm giving the Levites all the tithes of Israel as their pay for the work they do in the Tent of Meeting.
22 Starting now, the rest of the People of Israel cannot wander in and out of the Tent of Meeting; they'll be penalized for their sin and the penalty is death.
23 It's the Levites and only the Levites who are to work in the Tent of Meeting and they are responsible for anything that goes wrong. This is the regular rule for all time. They get no inheritance among the People of Israel;
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.