Deuteronomy 18 4

Deuteronomy 18:4 kjv

The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.

Deuteronomy 18:4 nkjv

The firstfruits of your grain and your new wine and your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you shall give him.

Deuteronomy 18:4 niv

You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the first wool from the shearing of your sheep,

Deuteronomy 18:4 esv

The firstfruits of your grain, of your wine and of your oil, and the first fleece of your sheep, you shall give him.

Deuteronomy 18:4 nlt

You must also give to the priests the first share of the grain, the new wine, the olive oil, and the wool at shearing time.

Deuteronomy 18 verses

Deuteronomy 18 4 Meaning

Deuteronomy 18:4 delineates specific provisions designated for the Levitical priests, ensuring their sustenance. It mandates that the people of Israel must give to the priests the initial, best portions of their harvest and animal produce: the firstfruits of grain, new wine, and oil, along with the first shearing of their sheep's wool. This provision served as their divinely ordained livelihood, given their lack of an allocated tribal inheritance in the land, so they could wholly dedicate themselves to the Lord's service in the tabernacle/temple.

Deuteronomy 18 4 Context

Deuteronomy 18 is part of Moses’ farewell discourse to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, serving as an instruction manual for their life in Canaan under God’s covenant. The chapter specifically addresses issues of religious authority and purity. Verses 1-5 focus on the distinct status and maintenance of the Levitical priests. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites were not allotted a territorial inheritance because "the Lord is their inheritance" (Deut 18:2). Therefore, specific laws were given to ensure their sustenance, allowing them to devote themselves entirely to their sacred duties: guarding the tabernacle, teaching the law, and offering sacrifices. Deuteronomy 18:4, alongside the preceding and following verses (18:3 and 18:5), precisely details these economic provisions, making clear that their support would come directly from the contributions of the people—specifically, the most precious parts of their agricultural and pastoral yields. This was a system established by divine command, setting apart the priestly tribe and providing for them through the gratitude and obedience of the other tribes.

Deuteronomy 18 4 Word analysis

• He shall give to him: This implies a specific obligation upon the Israelite common people, not merely a voluntary offering. "He" refers to the Israelite bringing their produce. "To him" refers to the "priest" (implied from the preceding verses, Deut 18:1-3, which address "the priests, the Levites"). This signifies a direct, personal responsibility for the support of those consecrated to God's service.

• the firstfruits: (Hebrew: רֵאשִׁית, reshith) Literally meaning "the beginning" or "the choicest part." This term emphasizes that the priests were to receive the very first, and therefore the best and freshest, portion of the harvest. It signifies acknowledgment of God as the ultimate provider and owner of all blessings. Giving the first portion consecrated the entire harvest and expressed faith that the rest would follow. This was an act of worship and trust, not just a tithe.

• of your grain: (Hebrew: דָּגָן, dagan) Refers to general cereal crops, particularly wheat and barley. These were staple food sources in ancient Israel. Its inclusion highlights that priestly sustenance was directly linked to the people's primary agricultural produce.

• of your new wine: (Hebrew: תִּירוֹשׁ, tirosh) Specifically denotes the fresh, unfermented juice from grapes, recently pressed. It symbolizes agricultural abundance, joy, and refreshment. Its inclusion shows that provisions for priests covered all significant liquid crops as well.

• and of your oil: (Hebrew: יִצְהָר, yitzhar) Refers to olive oil, an indispensable commodity used for food, lighting, anointing, and medicine. Oil represented prosperity and blessing in ancient Israel. This item further broadens the scope of support to cover precious commodities.

• and the first fleece: (Hebrew: רֵאשִׁית גֵּז, reshith gez) This specifies the very first shearing of a sheep. The fleece provided wool for clothing and textiles. Its inclusion extends the priestly provision from agricultural products to livestock, ensuring a comprehensive system of support that covered all major aspects of the people's economy and means of livelihood.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "He shall give to him the firstfruits": This phrase underlines the divine imperative and the sacred nature of the provision. It is not an arbitrary tax but a set, required offering of the best portions to sustain those dedicated wholly to the Lord. It signifies the principle that spiritual workers are to be supported from the initial blessing of the people.
  • "of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil": This trinity of agricultural products—grain for bread, wine for drink, and oil for varied uses—represents the comprehensive bounty of the land and the primary sources of sustenance for the Israelites. By including these, the verse ensured that the priests would be provided for from the core of Israel's economy, emphasizing God’s provision through the land.
  • "and the first fleece of your sheep": This extends the concept of "firstfruits" beyond plant crops to livestock. It indicates that the entire spectrum of Israelite livelihood, both agricultural and pastoral, was to contribute to the priests' upkeep, making the support comprehensive and proportionate to God’s total blessing on the land.

Deuteronomy 18 4 Bonus section

• The "him" in the verse: While referred to simply as "him," the immediate context (Deut 18:1-5) clearly identifies this as the Levitical priest or the collective body of priests. The singularity is used to denote an individual priest receiving their due portion.
• Rationale for the Provision: This comprehensive system of support (firstfruits, specific animal parts from sacrifices, tithes) was vital. It ensured the priests were economically stable, preventing them from being forced into other trades that would distract them from their sacred duties. Their complete devotion was crucial for maintaining the nation's spiritual purity and adherence to God's covenant.
• Spiritual Principle: The emphasis on "firstfruits" (reshith) signifies giving the very first and best to the Lord, an act that consecrates the entirety of one's possessions. It speaks to trust in God's continuing provision, as well as acknowledging His ultimate ownership. This principle transcends mere material transaction and becomes an act of worship.
• Broader Application: The New Testament reiterates and applies this Old Testament principle, establishing that those who preach the Gospel should earn their living from it (1 Cor 9:14, 1 Tim 5:18), paralleling the support given to the Old Testament priesthood. This continuity underscores the timeless importance of caring for those dedicated to God's full-time service.
• Protection against Paganism: By having their sustenance directly from the Lord's designated portions rather than reliance on a particular plot of land or external patron, the priests were insulated from idolatrous practices common in Canaan, where specific deities were tied to fertility of certain lands. This reinforced God as the sole source of blessing.

Deuteronomy 18 4 Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:4 provides a crucial directive regarding the economic welfare of the Levitical priests in ancient Israel. Because the tribe of Levi was consecrated to the exclusive service of God's sanctuary and possessed no territorial inheritance, God Himself prescribed their means of livelihood. This verse details that they were to receive "firstfruits"—the choicest and earliest portions—of the grain, new wine, and oil, as well as the first shearing from the sheep. This system served multiple purposes: it acknowledged God as the ultimate provider and owner of all blessings; it instilled a regular pattern of generosity and gratitude in the people; and most critically, it freed the priests from worldly labor, allowing them to dedicate their full time and energy to teaching God's law, performing sacrificial rituals, and ministering to the people, ensuring the spiritual well-being of the nation. This was not a charitable handout but a divine entitlement, recognizing the invaluable spiritual work performed on behalf of the entire community. It established a timeless principle: those who minister spiritual truths should be sustained materially by those they serve, from the best of what God has provided.