Numbers 18 21

Numbers 18:21 kjv

And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Numbers 18:21 nkjv

"Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.

Numbers 18:21 niv

"I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.

Numbers 18:21 esv

"To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting,

Numbers 18:21 nlt

As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel.

Numbers 18 verses

Numbers 18 21 Meaning

Numbers 18:21 declares that God has perpetually given all tithes in Israel to the Levites. This divine provision serves as their inheritance, compensating them exclusively for their dedicated and unique service within the Tabernacle of Meeting, distinguishing their livelihood from the land inheritance received by the other tribes.

Numbers 18 21 Context

Numbers 18 forms a crucial part of the Mosaic Law given at Mount Sinai, specifically detailing the roles, responsibilities, and provisions for the priests and Levites. This chapter follows events that challenged Aaron’s priesthood (Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16-17), making it essential to firmly re-establish and define the divine order of Israel’s religious hierarchy and its support system.

Verse 21 specifically addresses the Levites (distinct from the priestly lineage of Aaron within the tribe of Levi). Unlike the other eleven tribes who received territorial land inheritance, the Levites were set apart for exclusive service to the Tabernacle. This verse articulates God’s prescribed method of supporting them: all tithes collected from the rest of Israel. This arrangement ensured the Levites’ dedication to their sacred duties without the distraction of agricultural or property management. It underscores the reciprocal relationship: their service warranted their support, and their dependence on God’s provision through the people reinforced their unique sacred status.

Numbers 18 21 Word analysis

• And behold, (W’hinneh):

  • W is a conjunction, "and".
  • Hinneh (הִנֵּה): "Behold!", "Lo!", "See!". This interjection often introduces a significant, important, or surprising declaration. It functions to draw immediate attention to the divine decree that follows, emphasizing its solemnity and authority. It signals a divine imperative, not a suggestion.

• I have given (nāṯatî):

  • From nāṯan (נָתַן): "to give," "to put," "to place."
  • This is a perfect tense, indicating a completed action with lasting results. God, speaking directly, declares that He, and He alone, is the source of this provision. It's a sovereign act, establishing a binding law and a divine promise.

• the children of Levi (liḇnê Lēwî):

  • Refers collectively to the entire tribe of Levi, descendants of Levi. They were consecrated to sacred service instead of territorial inheritance, dedicated for spiritual functions distinct from other tribes.

• all the tithes (kol-hammaʿăśēr):

  • kol (כֹּל): "all," "every," emphasizing totality and comprehensiveness.
  • hammaʿăśēr (הַמַּעֲשֵׂר): "the tenth part," "tithe." This refers to the obligatory contribution of one-tenth of all produce (grain, new wine, oil) and livestock to the Lord, commanded in the Law. This was Israel's national income for supporting their unique service.

• in Israel (bəyiśrāʾēl):

  • Specifies the geographical and demographic scope from which the tithes originate—all twelve tribes who possessed the land. This indicates the entire nation was obligated to support the Levites.

• as an inheritance (lənaḥălāh):

  • naḥălāh (נַחֲלָה): "inheritance," "possession," "hereditary property." This is crucial. While other tribes received land, the Levites received the tithes as their substitute inheritance. This indicates permanence and a legitimate, divinely ordained right to sustenance. It was their enduring portion instead of physical land.

• for their service (ḥēlep ʿăḇoḏātām):

  • ḥēlep (חֵלֶף): "in exchange for," "as payment for," "on account of." This word highlights the direct quid pro quo, indicating that the tithes are compensation directly tied to their performance of duties.
  • ʿăḇoḏāh (עֲבֹדָה): "service," "work," "labor," "ministry," "worship." This signifies the sacred, diligent work they performed. It was not a casual occupation but a serious, assigned duty.

• which they perform, the service of the Tabernacle of meeting (šerēt šertû-šām ʿăḇōḏaṯ ʾōhel môʿēḏ):

  • This phrase clarifies the specific nature and location of their ʿăḇoḏāh (service/work).
  • ʾōhel môʿēḏ (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד): "Tent of Meeting" or "Tabernacle of Meeting." This sacred structure was the center of Israelite worship, where God met with His people.
  • The repetition of "service" (šerēt šertû and ʿăḇōḏaṯ) emphasizes the continuous and dedicated nature of their work. This underscores that their sustenance (the tithes) was directly contingent on their devoted and unwavering attention to the duties of the sacred tent.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "I have given... as an inheritance": This divine declaration elevates the tithing system from a mere tax to a sacred act of divine provision and inheritance. It solidifies the Levites' economic security, divinely guaranteed.
  • "all the tithes in Israel... for their service": This links national responsibility (tithing by all Israel) directly to the sustained operations of the central sanctuary (the Levites' service). It forms a covenantal circle of divine command, national obedience, and Levitical function.
  • "service which they perform, the service of the Tabernacle of Meeting": This specific phrasing underscores the divine expectation that their sole focus and profession would be on the Tabernacle. It removes any ambiguity about why they are supported – it is for their sacred, specific, full-time function.

Numbers 18 21 Bonus section

• The tithes mentioned here primarily refer to the "first tithe" (Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21-24), given to the Levites. From this "first tithe," the Levites were commanded to offer a "tithe of the tithe" (Numbers 18:26-28) to the Aaronite priests for their support. This hierarchical distribution highlights the divine structure of financial flow to support the sacred office.
• The emphasis on God giving the tithes to the Levites as their inheritance elevates it beyond a human transaction. It communicates that God is the true proprietor of all wealth, and His giving is an act of sovereign allocation for His purposes, specifically to enable proper worship and instruction within His covenant community.
• The polemical undertone, in light of the previous chapters, would be against self-appointed religious leaders or those who might seek to minister without divine authorization and the associated divine provision. The clear structure ensures that those performing authorized service are legitimately provided for, thus reinforcing their divine commission against any usurpers like Korah.

Numbers 18 21 Commentary

Numbers 18:21 is foundational to understanding the Levites' role and sustenance within ancient Israel. God's provision of "all the tithes" signifies not charity, but a divine assignment of income, equating it to an "inheritance." This was not optional; it was the mechanism by which God provided for those consecrated to His service, reflecting His commitment to sustain His workers. Their lack of territorial inheritance was thus a privilege, freeing them entirely for religious duties and placing them under direct divine patronage.

This system ensured that the worship life of Israel could function without hindrance. The Levites were guardians of the Tabernacle, responsible for its care, transport, and various assisting duties to the priests, maintaining the sanctity of the divine presence. By mandating national support, God ingrained the importance of supporting ministry into the fabric of Israelite society. The principle remains relevant: those devoted entirely to sacred work are to be supported by the believing community, allowing them to labor without distraction for the spiritual well-being of the people. This arrangement ensures full-time dedication and protects against external economic pressures or the pursuit of secular means for livelihood, maintaining the spiritual purity of their calling.