Numbers 18 12

Numbers 18:12 kjv

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.

Numbers 18:12 nkjv

"All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and the grain, their firstfruits which they offer to the LORD, I have given them to you.

Numbers 18:12 niv

"I give you all the finest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain they give the LORD as the firstfruits of their harvest.

Numbers 18:12 esv

All the best of the oil and all the best of the wine and of the grain, the firstfruits of what they give to the LORD, I give to you.

Numbers 18:12 nlt

"I also give you the harvest gifts brought by the people as offerings to the LORD ? the best of the olive oil, new wine, and grain.

Numbers 18 verses

Numbers 18 12 Meaning

Numbers 18:12 defines a specific portion of the offerings presented to the Lord that is designated for the Aaronic priests. It specifies "all the best" (the choicest part, the fatness) of the olive oil, new wine, and grain, which are the firstfruits of the produce offered by the Israelites, are to be given to the priests. This provision ensured the livelihood and sustenance of the priesthood, allowing them to fully dedicate themselves to their sacred duties without needing to engage in secular labor for their sustenance. It underscores God's meticulous provision for those set apart for His service and highlights the principle of bringing the choicest offerings to the Lord.

Numbers 18 12 Context

Numbers chapter 18 details the responsibilities and privileges assigned to Aaron and his descendants (the priests) and the Levites in the tabernacle service. Following incidents where unauthorized individuals (Korah, Dathan, Abiram) challenged the unique priestly authority of Aaron, God reinforces the exclusive appointment of the Aaronic priesthood. The chapter addresses the boundaries between the various groups—the ordinary Israelites, the Levites, and the priests—and specifies how the priests and Levites are to be supported financially. Verses 8-19 outline the "heave offerings" and portions of other sacrifices that are allotted exclusively to the priests and their families, guaranteeing their livelihood from the holy things of Israel. Numbers 18:12 specifically pertains to a prime category of these priestly provisions: the choicest part of the firstfruits of basic agricultural products, distinguishing them as inherently holy and belonging to the Lord, then redistributed by Him to His chosen ministers. Historically, this system was unique; unlike surrounding pagan cultures where priests often relied on direct public donations or cultic commercial activities, Israel's priests were sustained directly by Yahweh's commandment and provision from the collective offerings of the people. This established God as the ultimate provider and sanctifier of their service.

Numbers 18 12 Word analysis

• All the best of the oil: (Hebrew: לֶךְ חֵלֶב הַיִּצְהָר - kol chelev ha-yitshar)
  • kol (כֹּל): "all," "every," emphasizing completeness.
  • chelev (חֵלֶב): Literally "fat" or "fatness." In the context of offerings, it signifies the richest, choicest, and most vital part. It was often reserved for God, indicating ultimate dedication and value. The fat of sacrifices was typically burned to the Lord (Lev 3:16). Here, it refers to the best quality or quantity of the produce.
  • yitshar (יִצְהָר): "oil" or "fresh oil." This is derived from the word for "gleaming" or "shining," referring specifically to olive oil, a staple product of the land, essential for cooking, lighting, and anointing. It symbolized richness and blessing (Deut 8:8).
• and all the best of the new wine: (Hebrew: וְכָל־חֵלֶב הַתִּירוֹשׁ - v'chol chelev ha-tirosh)
  • chelev (חֵלֶב): Again, signifying the choicest, prime, or finest quality.
  • tiyrosh (תִּירוֹשׁ): "new wine" or "must." This refers to the fresh, fermenting juice of the grape. It was a vital agricultural product, signifying joy and abundance in Israel (Isa 62:8, Hos 2:8).
• and the grain: (Hebrew: וְהַדָּגָן - v'ha-dagan)
  • dagan (דָּגָן): "grain," "corn," or "cereal." This is a general term for staple grains like wheat and barley, fundamental for food security and a primary measure of agricultural blessing (Gen 27:28, Deut 7:13).
• the firstfruits of them: (Hebrew: רֵאשִׁיתָם - reshi-tam)
  • reshit (רֵאשִׁית): "first," "beginning," "firstfruits." This concept is foundational in Israelite worship. It represents the initial and prime portion of the harvest dedicated to God, acknowledging His ownership of the entire yield and giving Him the best as a sign of worship, gratitude, and trust for future harvests. Offering the firstfruits consecrates the whole.
• which they offer to the Lord: (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר יַקְרִיבוּ לַיהוָה - asher yakrivu laYHWH)
  • yakrivu (יַקְרִיבוּ): From the verb karav (קָרַב), "to draw near," "to bring near," "to offer." This emphasizes the act of presentation and dedication to God. It underscores that these are not gifts to the priests from the people, but offerings brought to the Lord, which He then allocates.
  • YHWH (יהוה): The sacred personal name of God, indicating His direct command and sovereignty over the offerings and their distribution.
• I have given them to you: (Hebrew: נְתַתִּים לָךְ - netatim lach)
  • netatim (נְתַתִּים): From the verb natan (נָתַן), "to give." The use of the perfect tense here, "I have given," highlights a definitive and irrevocable divine decree. It stresses that this is a covenantal provision established by God Himself, not a charitable contribution from the people.
  • lach (לָךְ): "to you." This singular "you" refers collectively to Aaron and his descendants, the consecrated priests. This reaffirms their exclusive right and God's direct appointment of their provision.

Words-group analysis:

• "All the best...the firstfruits of them": This phrase underlines the quality and timing of the offering. It's not just some of the produce, but the choicest part, taken first. This reflects the theological principle that God is worthy of the highest honor and the first claim on His people's blessings, acting as a token for the whole.
• "which they offer to the Lord, I have given them to you": This is crucial for understanding the nature of the priestly support. The priests do not directly take from the people. Rather, the people offer to the Lord, and then God Himself gives that which was offered to the priests. This establishes the priests' legitimacy and divine backing, preventing any perception of them exploiting the people or being merely human servants. Their provision is sacred, coming from God's own storehouse.

Numbers 18 12 Bonus section

The agricultural products specified—oil, new wine, and grain—represent the fundamental pillars of the Israelite diet and economy. Their mention here underscores the holistic nature of God's provision, covering essential sustenance. This passage also subtly distinguishes Yahweh's cult from pagan cults, where priests might have resorted to manipulative practices or exploitation to secure their living. In Israel, God's clear, just, and sufficient provision, stipulated by divine law, meant that priests were not reliant on human whim or public negotiation but on a holy covenant. The concept of "firstfruits" further extends spiritually in the New Testament to refer to believers as "firstfruits" to God (Jas 1:18) and even to Christ Himself as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor 15:20), symbolizing redemption, new life, and the guarantee of a larger harvest to come. Thus, the practical sustenance of the ancient priesthood becomes a foreshadowing of deeper spiritual truths regarding divine election, consecration, and the blessed security found in Christ.

Numbers 18 12 Commentary

Numbers 18:12 serves as a pivotal declaration of God's covenantal provision for the Aaronic priesthood. By designating "all the best of the oil, new wine, and grain"—the firstfruits of these staples—as their portion, God established a sacred economic system for His ministers. This ensured that the priests, who had no land inheritance like the other tribes (Num 18:20), would be sustained by the nation's gratitude and worship directed towards God. The emphasis on "the best" (חֵלֶב, chelev) and "firstfruits" (רֵאשִׁית, reshit) reinforced the principle of honoring God with one's choicest and initial produce, acknowledging His ownership of all things and His faithfulness in providing. Importantly, the verse clarifies that these provisions were not directly from the people to the priests, but rather from God to the priests, out of what the people offered to the Lord. This established the priests' divine authority and safeguarded against perceptions of human dependency or self-enrichment, solidifying their role as God's servants whose livelihood was a direct grant from their divine master. This system allowed the priests to devote themselves wholly to the sacred duties of tabernacle service, intercession, and teaching God's law. In a broader sense, this principle of God providing for those who serve Him, through the generous giving of His people, carries forward into the New Testament with regard to the support of those who minister the gospel.