Numbers 18:8

Support for the Priests and Levites

8 Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, "Look, I have put you in charge of the contributions brought to Me. As for all the holy offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a perpetual statute.^[a]

Numbers 18:8 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 18:8

And the Lord spake unto Aaron
Having pointed out to him the duty of his office, he now informs him of the perquisites of it; or having told him what was his work, now what his wages, or what was his service, and now his maintenance: behold, I also have given thee the charge of my heave offerings, of
all the hallowed things of the children of Israel;
such as the heave shoulder and wave breast, and firstfruits, and all other holy things in general, such as were the most holy things; as in ( Numbers 18:9 ) ; and the lighter holy things, as the Jews call them, ( Numbers 18:11 ) ; the charge of these was given to keep for themselves, and for their families: unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing:
because of his office as a priest, to which he was consecrated by anointing: and to thy sons by an ordinance for ever;
see ( Leviticus 7:34-36 ) .

Numbers 18:8 In-Context

6 Look, I have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift for you, assigned by the Lord to work at the tent of meeting.

7 But you and your sons will carry out your priestly responsibilities for everything concerning the altar and for what is inside the veil, and you will do that work. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but an unauthorized person who comes near [the sanctuary] will be put to death."

8 Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, "Look, I have put you in charge of the contributions brought to Me. As for all the holy offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a perpetual statute.

9 A portion of the holiest offerings [kept] from the fire will be yours; every one of their offerings that they give Me, whether the grain offering, sin offering, or restitution offering will be most holy for you and your sons.

10 You are to eat it as a most holy offering. Every male may eat it; it is to be holy to you.

Footnotes

• [a]. Nm 5:9; Lv 10:12-15