Numbers 18:14 kjv
Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.
Numbers 18:14 nkjv
"Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours.
Numbers 18:14 niv
"Everything in Israel that is devoted to the LORD is yours.
Numbers 18:14 esv
Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours.
Numbers 18:14 nlt
"Everything in Israel that is specially set apart for the LORD also belongs to you.
Numbers 18 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Priestly Provision (General) | ||
| Num 18:8 | "Also, what is kept from the devoted things belongs to you." | God provides priestly sustenance. |
| Num 18:20 | "...I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites." | God Himself is the priest's inheritance. |
| Deut 10:9 | "Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers..." | Levites, including priests, received no land. |
| Deut 18:1 | "The Levitical priests...shall have no share or inheritance in Israel..." | Priests live by the Lord's offerings. |
| Josh 13:14 | "...to the tribe of Levi alone no inheritance was given; the offerings..." | Provision for Levites is from offerings. |
| Josh 13:33 | "But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance..." | Reiteration of no land for Levi. |
| 1 Cor 9:13 | "Do you not know that those who minister at the altar share in the altar's?" | Ministers of Gospel should be supported. |
| 1 Cor 9:14 | "In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who preach the gospel..." | New Covenant principle for ministerial support. |
| Gal 6:6 | "Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches." | Sharing provision with spiritual teachers. |
| 1 Tim 5:18 | "For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox... and, 'The laborer..." | Principles of paying those who minister. |
| Nature of Cherem (Devoted/Set Apart) | ||
| Lev 27:21 | "...the field, when it is released at the Jubilee, shall be holy to the L... became... property of the priest." | Cherem concept applied to redeemed fields. |
| Lev 27:28 | "But no devoted thing that a man devotes to the Lord... shall be sold or redeemed;" | Cherem is irrevocable and fully God's. |
| Deut 7:26 | "nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you become devo..." | Warning against contact with cherem things of pagans. |
| Deut 13:17 | "Nothing from the devoted things shall cling to your hand, that the LORD..." | Command not to keep cherem of wicked cities. |
| Josh 6:17 | "The city and all that is in it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction." | Cherem as destruction (Jericho). |
| Josh 7:1 | "But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things..." | Achan's sin of taking cherem. |
| 1 Sam 15:3 | "Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have..." | Cherem in holy war (Amalekites). |
| Mic 4:13 | "...Their gain shall be devoted to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord..." | Devoting enemies' gain to God's treasury. |
| Sanctification/Holy Purpose | ||
| Exo 29:37 | "For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it..." | Items are made holy for priestly use. |
| Isa 66:20 | "...they shall bring all your brothers...as an offering to the Lord..." | People offered to God's sanctuary. |
| Rom 12:1 | "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy..." | New Covenant: believers are consecrated. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood..." | Believers as a spiritual priesthood. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." | Believers are devoted, holy for God's purpose. |
Numbers 18 verses
Numbers 18 14 Meaning
Numbers 18:14 declares that "Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours." This verse specifies a category of consecrated items known as cherem (devoted things), which, once dedicated fully to the Lord by an Israelite, becomes the sacred property designated for the priestly line—Aaron and his descendants. This provision ensures the material support and sustenance for the priests, affirming their reliance on the divine order of worship and their portion from God's sacred endowments, rather than possessing an inherited share of the land.
Numbers 18 14 Context
Numbers chapter 18 defines the specific duties, responsibilities, and, importantly, the provisions for the Levites and priests. This was crucial immediately following the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16-17), which challenged the divine appointment of Aaron's priesthood. God responds by re-establishing the unique sanctity of the Aaronic line and the exclusive nature of their service in the tabernacle, outlining how their sacred duties at the altar necessitate specific divine provisions. Verses 8-19 list various offerings, first fruits, and firstborn animals that were designated as the priests' portions. Within this list, verse 14 specifically addresses cherem (devoted things), affirming that even these highly consecrated items are to become part of the priests' sustenance, reinforcing their direct reliance on God's holy portion, as they were not allotted tribal land for inheritance.
Numbers 18 14 Word analysis
Every (כֹּל, kol): This Hebrew term signifies "all," "every," "the whole of," or "completeness." Its use here indicates that there are no exceptions; any item that falls under the category of "devoted thing" without reservation is designated for the priests.
devoted thing (חֵרֶם, cherem): This is a pivotal term. It denotes something utterly separated, consecrated, or banned for exclusive dedication to God. Its meaning ranges from things set apart for holy purposes (as here for priestly use) to things utterly destroyed because they are an abomination to God (e.g., in holy war, as with Jericho). In the context of Numbers 18, it refers to possessions irrevocably consecrated to God, distinguishing them from other categories of offerings that could be redeemed or had lesser degrees of holiness. Once declared cherem, it could not be redeemed or bought back, underlining its complete transfer of ownership to God and then, by His command, to His priests.
in Israel: This phrase delimits the scope to the covenant community. It implies that these are items and practices arising from the unique relationship between Yahweh and the people of Israel, subject to His laws and His system of worship centered on the Tabernacle/Temple. It sets the context of these specific regulations within the boundaries of the Israelite religious system.
shall be yours: The word "yours" refers directly to Aaron and his sons, the priests (as established in Numbers 18:8, "And this shall be yours out of the most holy things..."). This phrase explicitly grants ownership and rightful claim to these cherem items to the priesthood. It signifies their divine right of provision from the very things that are utterly consecrated to God, confirming their sustenance through the sacred rather than secular means. This directly supports the principle that those who minister full-time are to be sustained by the things of God.
Words-group Analysis
- Every devoted thing in Israel: This emphasizes the comprehensiveness and distinctiveness of items wholly dedicated to the Lord from within the Israelite community. It clarifies that this is a specific type of sacred offering that applies broadly.
- shall be yours: This concise declaration forms the core allocation, directly assigning this most holy category of consecrated items to the priesthood for their sustenance, firmly establishing their economic support as stemming from the divine ordinances for worship.
Numbers 18 14 Bonus section
The concept of cherem (devoted thing) is complex and context-dependent throughout the Old Testament. In Numbers 18:14, it represents objects of utter sanctity that, instead of being destroyed, become a source of holy provision for the priests. This differentiates it from the cherem associated with the "ban" on enemies of God or Canaanite cities (e.g., Jericho), where total destruction or exclusion was mandated to purge evil. The contrast highlights the Lord's absolute authority over all things: what is devoted to Him for destruction, and what is devoted to Him for the sacred maintenance of His service. This dual aspect of cherem underscores God's holiness and His right to claim all that is truly set apart for His purposes, whether in judgment or for the support of His appointed representatives. This verse thus stands as a unique instance where items "devoted to the Lord" contribute to the welfare of His covenant community's spiritual leaders.
Numbers 18 14 Commentary
Numbers 18:14 illuminates a key aspect of divine provision for the Levitical priesthood within ancient Israel. The "devoted thing" (cherem) represents the highest degree of consecration, an item utterly given over to the Lord. While cherem elsewhere often signified objects destined for complete destruction (such as idolatrous cities or war spoils of accursed peoples, cf. Deut 7:26; Josh 6:17), in this context within Numbers 18, it applies to specific offerings of Israelites which become sacred property for the priests. This shows the nuanced application of cherem: instead of destruction, here it meant complete transfer for sacred use and priestly livelihood. It underscores God's meticulous care for His ministers, ensuring their sustenance comes directly from the holy things dedicated to Him. This arrangement reinforced the priests' exclusive focus on their spiritual duties, eliminating the need for secular labor or territorial inheritance.
Example: If an Israelite, under a vow, irrevocably dedicated a piece of land to the Lord, after certain conditions in Leviticus 27, it would not return to them but would become part of the priestly domain for their support. Similarly, specific dedicated spoils of war, once consecrated, would be directed to the priests.