Deuteronomy 18:3 kjv
And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
Deuteronomy 18:3 nkjv
"And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it is bull or sheep: they shall give to the priest the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach.
Deuteronomy 18:3 niv
This is the share due the priests from the people who sacrifice a bull or a sheep: the shoulder, the internal organs and the meat from the head.
Deuteronomy 18:3 esv
And this shall be the priests' due from the people, from those offering a sacrifice, whether an ox or a sheep: they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach.
Deuteronomy 18:3 nlt
"These are the parts the priests may claim as their share from the cattle, sheep, and goats that the people bring as offerings: the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach.
Deuteronomy 18 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 7:31-34 | "The priest shall burn the fat...but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'. And the right thigh..." | Priests' portion: breast and right thigh from peace offering. |
| Num 18:8-20 | "And the Lord said to Aaron, 'Behold, I have given you charge...every devoted thing in Israel...'" | God's provision for priests' sustenance. |
| Num 18:24 | "For the tithes of the people of Israel, which they present...I have given to the Levites..." | Levites receive tithes as inheritance. |
| 1 Sam 2:13-17 | "The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice...Eli's sons' servant would come..." | Corrupted priestly taking more than due. |
| Mal 1:7-8 | "You offer defiled food upon my altar...saying, 'The table of the Lord is contemptible.'" | Priests despising God's provisions. |
| Mal 1:12-13 | "You profane it when you say that the Lord's table is defiled...What a weariness this is!" | Further denigration of holy offerings. |
| Neh 13:10-11 | "I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them...So I confronted the officials..." | Failure of people to give priests their due. |
| 1 Cor 9:7 | "Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit?" | Principle of compensation for service. |
| 1 Cor 9:9-10 | "For it is written in the Law of Moses, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.' Is it for oxen that God cares...?" | Scripture supports payment for labor. |
| 1 Cor 9:11 | "If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?" | Ministers deserve material support. |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple...? So also the Lord commanded..." | Temple service as model for Gospel workers' support. |
| Luke 10:7-8 | "Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages." | Jesus' instruction on supporting ministers. |
| Matt 10:9-10 | "Acquire no gold or silver or copper...for the laborer deserves his food." | Disciples' sustenance during ministry. |
| 1 Tim 5:17-18 | "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor...For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox...'" | Financial support for deserving elders. |
| Gal 6:6 | "Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches." | Principle of reciprocity for teaching. |
| Deut 10:8-9 | "At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi...therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers..." | Levi's special calling and no land. |
| Num 3:7-8 | "They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, tending to the service of the tabernacle." | Levites' service at the Tabernacle. |
| Josh 13:33 | "But to the tribe of Levi, Moses gave no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he promised..." | God as Levi's inheritance, consistent with Deut. |
| Ezek 44:28-30 | "They shall have no inheritance...I am their inheritance. And you shall give them every devoted thing..." | Prophetic vision reaffirming priestly portions. |
| Jer 33:18 | "And the Levitical priests shall never lack a man before me to offer burnt offerings..." | Continuity of Levitical priestly service. |
Deuteronomy 18 verses
Deuteronomy 18 3 Meaning
Deuteronomy 18:3 specifies the required portions of animal sacrifices that are to be given to the priests, detailing these provisions as their fixed and legitimate due from the offerings brought by the people. These portions are the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the stomach, ensuring their sustenance as they had no tribal land inheritance.
Deuteronomy 18 3 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 18 discusses the special role of the Levites and priests in Israel. Immediately preceding verse 3, verse 1 establishes that the Levitical priests "shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the Lord's food offerings as their inheritance." This sets the stage for the specific provisions detailed in verse 3, outlining how they are to be sustained since they do not own land like the other tribes. The chapter also contrasts true prophets and religious practices with pagan abominations like divination, further emphasizing the distinct, holy system God established for Israel's worship and governance. Historically, this system of support ensured that those dedicated to temple service could devote themselves fully without needing to work the land, distinct from many surrounding pagan cultures where priests often relied on personal land holdings or erratic offerings.
Deuteronomy 18 3 Word analysis
- "And this": Indicates the following details are specific instructions directly linked to the prior statements about the priests' lack of land inheritance and their reliance on the Lord's food offerings.
- "shall be the priests' due":
- due: Hebrew חֹק (choq). This term signifies a fixed, unalterable portion, statute, or ordinance. It is not a voluntary gift or a request but a divinely ordained, perpetual right and obligation for the people to provide. This ensures stable support.
- Significance: Emphasizes the legal, divine right of the priests to receive these items, rather than them being a discretionary offering. It highlights God's systematic provision.
- "from the people": Points to the source of the sustenance, namely the Israelites who participate in the sacrificial system. This connects the entire community to the maintenance of the religious service.
- "from those who offer a sacrifice": Clarifies that these portions come specifically from those who bring animals for offering. It implies fellowship or peace offerings, where the offerer, priest, and God each receive a share. Burnt offerings (holocausts) are fully consumed by fire.
- "whether ox or sheep": Specifies the common, domestic animals used for sacrifice. This includes both larger and smaller livestock, indicating the consistency of the due regardless of the animal size.
- "they shall give to the priest": Reiterates the imperative command for the people to provide. This is a communal responsibility for the support of religious leadership.
- "the shoulder":
- Hebrew זְרֹעַ (zroa'). Refers to the foreleg/shoulder.
- Significance: A substantial, fleshy part of the animal, providing significant nourishment. In other contexts (Lev 7:32), the right thigh (another foreleg/shoulder term in a broader sense) is often mentioned, implying a similarly meaty cut.
- "the two cheeks":
- Hebrew לְחִיַּיִם (lechiyyayim). Refers to the jaws/cheeks.
- Significance: Another substantial and distinct meaty portion, rich in flavor, though perhaps less common to specify for consumption in some modern contexts. This highlights the specificity and distinctiveness of the prescribed due.
- "and the stomach":
- Hebrew קֵבָה (qevah). Refers to the maw, inner stomach.
- Significance: This part, though not as immediately palatable to modern Western tastes, was often prized in ancient diets for its nutritional value and use in traditional cooking (e.g., tripe dishes). Its inclusion underscores that all designated edible parts of the sacrifice were part of the priests' sustenance, emphasizing divine meticulousness in providing for their needs.
Deuteronomy 18 3 Bonus section
The detailed specification of the animal parts (shoulder, cheeks, stomach) in Deut 18:3 is unique compared to some other priestly portion lists in the Torah, such as those in Leviticus which often mention the "breast" and "thigh" (e.g., Lev 7:31-34). While there's a common thread of priestly provision, this distinction might highlight different types of offerings or nuances in the application of the general principle of priestly support. The term "stomach" (qevah) could refer specifically to the abomasum, one of the four stomachs of ruminants, which would have been a prized source of offal, rich in nutrients. This emphasis on particular cuts showcases God's intricate design for the entire sacrificial system, not only as an atonement for sin or an act of worship, but also as a practical economic mechanism for supporting His dedicated servants. It underlines the importance of a clear and precise divinely ordered system for the operation of the covenant community.
Deuteronomy 18 3 Commentary
Deuteronomy 18:3 lays out the specific portions of animal sacrifices that are to be designated for the priests. This command functions as a divine ordinance (חֹק, choq) ensuring the sustenance of the Levites who, unlike other tribes, did not receive a territorial inheritance in the land. By receiving the "shoulder, the two cheeks, and the stomach," the priests were provided with nutritious and substantial food, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties without the distraction of agricultural labor or secular employment. This system of provision reflects God's meticulous care for those consecrated to His service and establishes a clear expectation for the community to financially and materially support their religious leaders. It also stands as a regulated system to prevent the exploitation seen in other pagan cults, or indeed, the corruption later demonstrated by figures like Eli's sons, who took more than their due (1 Sam 2:13-17). This principle of sustaining those who serve in ministry finds continuity in the New Testament (1 Cor 9:13-14), where those who proclaim the Gospel are to be supported by it.