Numbers 18:14-24

14 “Everything in Israel that is devoted[a] to the LORD is yours.
15 The first offspring of every womb, both human and animal, that is offered to the LORD is yours. But you must redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals.
16 When they are a month old, you must redeem them at the redemption price set at five shekels[b] of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs.
17 “But you must not redeem the firstborn of a cow, a sheep or a goat; they are holy. Splash their blood against the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.
18 Their meat is to be yours, just as the breast of the wave offering and the right thigh are yours.
19 Whatever is set aside from the holy offerings the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and your sons and daughters as your perpetual share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the LORD for both you and your offspring.”
20 The LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.
21 “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.
22 From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die.
23 It is the Levites who are to do the work at the tent of meeting and bear the responsibility for any offenses they commit against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites.
24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’ ”

Numbers 18:14-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 18

This chapter gives an account of the distinct work and service of the priests and Levites, Nu 18:1-7; and of several things given to the priests for their maintenance, Nu 18:8-19; and of the tithes the Levites should have to live upon, since they were to have no inheritance in the land of Israel, Nu 18:20-24; and of the tenth out of those tithes they were to give to the high priest, Nu 18:25-32.

Cross References 28

  • 1. S Leviticus 27:21; Joshua 6:17-19; Leviticus 27:28
  • 2. Exodus 13:2
  • 3. S Numbers 3:46
  • 4. S Genesis 10:15
  • 5. S Exodus 13:13
  • 6. S Numbers 3:15
  • 7. S Leviticus 27:6
  • 8. S Exodus 30:13
  • 9. Numbers 3:47
  • 10. S Leviticus 27:9; Deuteronomy 15:19
  • 11. S Leviticus 3:2
  • 12. S Exodus 29:13
  • 13. S Leviticus 1:9
  • 14. Leviticus 7:30
  • 15. ver 11
  • 16. 2 Kings 12:4
  • 17. S Leviticus 2:13; 2 Chronicles 13:5
  • 18. Numbers 26:62; Deuteronomy 12:12
  • 19. ver 24; Deuteronomy 10:9; Deuteronomy 14:27; Deuteronomy 18:1-2; Joshua 13:33; Ezekiel 44:28
  • 20. ver 24; S Genesis 28:22; Numbers 31:28; Deuteronomy 14:22; Nehemiah 10:37; Nehemiah 13:5; Malachi 3:8
  • 21. Leviticus 27:30-33; Hebrews 7:5
  • 22. Numbers 1:53
  • 23. S Exodus 28:43; Leviticus 22:9; Numbers 1:51
  • 24. S Exodus 12:14; S Exodus 27:21
  • 25. Numbers 10:8
  • 26. ver 20; Numbers 26:62; Deuteronomy 10:9
  • 27. Ezekiel 44:10
  • 28. Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 26:12

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord.
  • [b]. That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams
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