Numbers 18:26 kjv
Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.
Numbers 18:26 nkjv
"Speak thus to the Levites, and say to them: 'When you take from the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you shall offer up a heave offering of it to the LORD, a tenth of the tithe.
Numbers 18:26 niv
"Speak to the Levites and say to them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD's offering.
Numbers 18:26 esv
"Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, 'When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the LORD, a tithe of the tithe.
Numbers 18:26 nlt
"Give these instructions to the Levites: When you receive from the people of Israel the tithes I have assigned as your allotment, give a tenth of the tithes you receive ? a tithe of the tithe ? to the LORD as a sacred offering.
Numbers 18 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 14:20 | ...Abraham gave him a tenth part of all. | Abraham tithing to Melchizedek. |
| Gen 28:22 | ...of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you. | Jacob's vow to tithe to God. |
| Lev 27:30 | Every tithe... is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord. | Declaration of God's ownership over all tithes. |
| Lev 27:32 | Every tenth... shall be holy to the Lord. | Tithe of animals. |
| Num 18:8 | ...I have given them to you... as your portion and as a perpetual due. | Priests' portion of offerings. |
| Num 18:20 | ...You shall have no inheritance in their land... I am your portion... | Levites' inheritance is the Lord and His provisions. |
| Num 18:21 | To the children of Levi, I have given every tithe... for their service. | God designates tithes for Levites' sustenance. |
| Num 18:24 | ...for I have given to them... the tithes... for an inheritance. | Reinforces tithes as Levites' inheritance. |
| Num 18:28 | Out of all your gifts... you shall offer every heave offering to the Lord. | General command for Levites to offer from their portion. |
| Deut 12:11 | ...the tithes and the contribution that you lift up... | Principles of bringing tithes and offerings. |
| Deut 14:22 | You shall tithe all the yield of your seed... | General tithing law for Israelites. |
| Deut 14:27 | And the Levite... you shall not forsake him... | Importance of supporting Levites. |
| Deut 26:12 | When you have finished tithing all the tithe... you shall give it to the Levite... | Yearly tithing instruction for the common Israelite. |
| Neh 10:37 | ...the tithes from our ground to the Levites... and the Levites shall bring... | Nehemiah's covenant to bring tithes to Levites. |
| Neh 10:38 | And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive the tithes... | The priest's presence when Levites receive tithes. |
| Mal 3:8 | Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me of tithes and contributions. | Warning against withholding tithes. |
| Mal 3:10 | Bring the full tithe into the storehouse... | Promise of blessing for obedience in tithing. |
| Rom 15:27 | For if the Gentiles have come to share... they ought also to minister to them... | New Testament principle of material support for spiritual blessings. |
| 1 Cor 9:11 | If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things...? | Right of those who preach the Gospel to live from it. |
| 1 Cor 9:13 | Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food...? | Comparison to Old Testament priestly support. |
| Heb 7:5 | And those descendants of Levi... have a commandment to collect tithes... | Levitical priesthood collecting tithes. |
| Heb 7:8 | In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. | Christ's superior priesthood receiving tithes implicitly. |
Numbers 18 verses
Numbers 18 26 Meaning
Numbers 18:26 outlines the divine mandate for the Levites to offer a portion of the tithes they receive from the Israelites. It specifies that from the tithes given to them by God as their inheritance, they are to present a heave offering to the Lord, specifically a tenth part of that tithe. This establishes a sacred hierarchy of giving, ensuring that even those consecrated to serve God must acknowledge His ultimate ownership and provide for the priests.
Numbers 18 26 Context
Numbers chapter 18 comprehensively outlines the sacred duties and financial provisions for the priests and Levites. God specifies that the Levites, who do not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, are instead sustained by the tithes of the Israelites as their divine inheritance. This chapter clearly distinguishes the holy roles and ensures the proper functioning of the Tabernacle service. Verse 26, specifically, is a crucial command within this framework, addressing the Levites themselves, stipulating that a tenth of the tithes they receive must in turn be offered to the Lord as a heave offering, for the maintenance of the High Priests and the altar. This historical context emphasizes God's meticulous establishment of worship, finance, and accountability in the nascent nation of Israel, showcasing divine order and providence even in the wilderness.
Numbers 18 26 Word analysis
- Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them: This phrase denotes a direct divine command delivered through Moses. It's a non-negotiable instruction from God Himself, indicating its legal and sacred importance.
- When ye take: The Hebrew word
laqach(לָקַח) means "to take," "to receive," or "to acquire." Here, it signifies the act of the Levites receiving their rightful sustenance—the tithes from the children of Israel. - of the children of Israel: This identifies the source of the tithes, the entire Israelite community, who were obligated by covenant to bring these offerings.
- the tithes: The Hebrew
ma'aser(מַעֲשֵׂר) literally means "a tenth part." This was a foundational religious offering, not a tax, demonstrating Israel's recognition of God's ownership over all things. - which I have given you from them for your inheritance: This is a pivotal declaration. God Himself is the grantor. The tithes are the Levites' divinely appointed portion (
nachalah- נַחֲלָה), substituting a territorial inheritance because their service was solely to the Lord. It highlights God's sovereignty over the provisions. - then ye shall offer up: A strong imperative command using
heremitem(הֲרִימֹתֶם), indicating a mandatory action. It signifies the Levites' active participation in offering back to God. - an heave offering: The Hebrew
tĕrûmâ(תְּרוּמָה) means "a raised offering" or "contribution." It was consecrated to God by being lifted up, symbolizing its dedication and acknowledgement of His supreme authority. It specifically pertained to something separated for God from a larger whole. - for the LORD:
Yahweh(יהוה), the covenant name of God. This indicates that the ultimate recipient of this offering, given through the priests, is God Himself. It underscores His sovereignty even over the portions provided to His dedicated servants. - even a tenth part of the tithe: This is the most specific and critical detail:
ma'aser min-hamma'aser(מַעֲשֵׂר מִן־הַמַּעֲשֵׂר). It mandates a tithe from the tithe already received by the Levites. This fraction (10% of 10%, effectively 1% of the total harvest/income) was then given to the priests (Aaron and his descendants) as their special sacred portion, completing the cycle of offerings. This reinforces accountability and acknowledges the High Priestly authority under God.
Numbers 18 26 Bonus section
This specific commandment of "the tenth part of the tithe" (often referred to as the "holy heave offering" or "Levitical tithe" given to the priests) provided direct, consecrated support for the Aaronic priests and their families, who performed the most sacred duties in the Tabernacle. It reinforced their position at the pinnacle of the Levitical structure and ensured their maintenance, allowing them to fully devote themselves to their priestly functions without earthly distraction. It also served as a visible testament to the Levites' own obedience and dedication to God, demonstrating that they practiced what they essentially oversaw regarding the people's tithes.
Numbers 18 26 Commentary
Numbers 18:26 encapsulates a profound principle of divine economy and worship within Israel: every recipient of God's blessing, even those specially appointed to spiritual service, is required to give back to the Lord from what they have received. The Levites, unique among the tribes as they held no ancestral land, were fully reliant on the tithes of the nation. Yet, even they were not exempt from giving. This "tithe of the tithe" was consecrated as a special "heave offering" to the Lord, then designated for the High Priests and their sons (the Aaronic priesthood). This instruction reinforced that all wealth and sustenance ultimately originate from God, cultivating a posture of gratitude and humble submission across all levels of Israelite society. It ensured that God's portion was recognized first and continually, providing sustenance for the most holy office, fostering a complete, sanctified system of national giving and support for spiritual leadership.