Numbers 18:11

11 But the firstfruits, which the children of Israel shall vow and offer, I have given to thee, and to thy sons, and to thy daughters, by a perpetual law. He that is clean in thy house, shall eat them.

Numbers 18:11 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 18:11

And this [is] thine
What follow, which appertained to the priests, are the less or lighter holy things: the heave offering of their gift:
the right shoulder, given to the priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of peace offerings, ( Leviticus 7:32 ) ; according to Jarchi, it was what was lifted up or heaved from the thank offering, the peace offerings, and the ram of the Nazarites, see ( Leviticus 7:14 Leviticus 7:32 ) ( Numbers 6:19 Numbers 6:20 ) ; with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel;
which were waved to and fro before the Lord, as the breast of the peace offerings, called therefore the wave breast, ( Leviticus 7:30 Leviticus 7:34 ) ; I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons, and to thy daughters
with thee, by a statute for ever;
for these were to be eaten in their own houses, and by their families, wives, children, and servants bought with their money, or born in their houses; but not hired servants, nor sojourners, nor strangers; nor their daughters married to strangers though, if widows, or divorced, and without children, and returned to their father's house, they might eat of them, ( Leviticus 22:10-13 ) ; thus a provision was made for the maintenance of the priests of the Lord and their families, until the Messiah should come; who has also appointed that they that preach the Gospel should live of it, ( 1 Corinthians 9:13 1 Corinthians 9:14 ) ; everyone that is clean in thy house shall eat of it:
that was clean in a ceremonial sense; had not touched a dead body Jarchi says, this is said to comprehend his wife; but that might be concluded from what is said before, for if his children, much more might his wife eat of it.

Numbers 18:11 In-Context

9 These therefore shalt thou take of the things that are sanctified, and are offered to the Lord. Every offering, and sacrifice, and whatsoever is rendered to me for sin and for trespass, and becometh holy of holies, shall be for thee and thy sons.
10 Thou shalt eat it in the sanctuary: the males only shall eat thereof, because it is a consecrated thing to thee.
11 But the firstfruits, which the children of Israel shall vow and offer, I have given to thee, and to thy sons, and to thy daughters, by a perpetual law. He that is clean in thy house, shall eat them.
12 All the best of the oil, and of the wine, and of the corn, whatsoever firstfruits they offer to the Lord, I have given them to thee.
13 All the firstripe of the fruits, that the ground bringeth forth, and which are brought to the Lord, shall be for thy use: he that is clean in thy house, shall eat them.
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