Numbers 18 9

Numbers 18:9 kjv

This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

Numbers 18:9 nkjv

This shall be yours of the most holy things reserved from the fire: every offering of theirs, every grain offering and every sin offering and every trespass offering which they render to Me, shall be most holy for you and your sons.

Numbers 18:9 niv

You are to have the part of the most holy offerings that is kept from the fire. From all the gifts they bring me as most holy offerings, whether grain or sin or guilt offerings, that part belongs to you and your sons.

Numbers 18:9 esv

This shall be yours of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every offering of theirs, every grain offering of theirs and every sin offering of theirs and every guilt offering of theirs, which they render to me, shall be most holy to you and to your sons.

Numbers 18:9 nlt

You are allotted the portion of the most holy offerings that is not burned on the fire. This portion of all the most holy offerings ? including the grain offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings ? will be most holy, and it belongs to you and your sons.

Numbers 18 verses

Numbers 18 9 Meaning

Numbers 18:9 delineates specific portions of offerings presented to God that are divinely allocated to Aaron and his male descendants (the priests) as their sustenance. These designated parts are considered "most holy" (qodesh qodashim), signifying their extreme sacredness, requiring their consumption exclusively by male priests in a holy place. The verse specifies that these are the portions "reserved from the fire," meaning they are not entirely consumed on the altar but set apart for the priests from offerings such as grain offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings. This provision ensured the livelihood of the priesthood, enabling them to fulfill their consecrated duties without distraction.

Numbers 18 9 Context

Numbers chapter 18 details God's clear establishment of the distinct roles and provisions for the priests (the sons of Aaron) and the Levites. Following the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram which challenged the legitimacy of Aaron's priesthood, God reaffirms Aaron's authority and lays out the precise duties and divine support for the consecrated tribe. Verses 1-7 establish the responsibilities, warning against any encroachment upon their holy duties. Verses 8-19 then focus on the specific entitlements, outlining the various "gifts," "contributions," and "most holy things" that God grants to the priests for their sustenance.

Historically, this system ensured that those dedicated to the sacred service of God—offering sacrifices, interceding for the people, and maintaining the Tabernacle—were fully provided for without needing to engage in worldly professions for their livelihood. This allocation of sacrificial portions underscored the sanctity of the priestly office and the divine nature of their support, teaching the Israelites that providing for God's ministers was an act of worship and obedience.

Numbers 18 9 Word analysis

• This: (zeh) - A demonstrative pronoun, pointing forward to the specific categories of offerings that follow, immediately indicating that the subsequent details are what is being granted.
• shall be yours: (yiheyeh lªka) - Direct entitlement. It establishes a divine decree, a fixed and perpetual right of possession for Aaron and his descendants, highlighting God's direct provision for His consecrated servants.
• from the most holy things: (miq-qodsē haqqodāšîm) - Refers to qodesh qodashim, items of the highest sanctity in the Israelite sacrificial system. These were distinct from "holy things" (qodashim) and subject to strict consumption rules (only male priests, in a holy place, after ritual purification). This term signifies that the priests are receiving portions that have touched the very essence of God's holiness.
• reserved from the fire: (mimminchot ha'ishshah) - The Hebrew phrase here is often translated as "from the offerings made by fire," but in this specific context and in contrast to burnt offerings, it refers to the portions of such offerings that were not entirely consumed by the altar fire but were "set apart" or "heaved up" (from the concept of terumah, heave offering) for the priests. This distinguishes them from sacrifices entirely burnt to God.
• every offering of theirs: (kål qorbānām) - A general and inclusive term meaning "their whole sacrifice" or "every devoted thing they bring." This broad sweep emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the priests' entitlement from various forms of offerings made by the Israelites.
• every grain offering of theirs: (wəkol minchāṯām) - Specifically refers to the minchah, typically an offering of flour, baked goods, or unbaked grain, a portion of which was burned on the altar, and the remainder went to the priests. (Lev 2:1-16)
• every sin offering of theirs: (wəḵol chatta’tām) - Refers to the chatta't, the atonement offering primarily for unintentional sins. While the fat and specific parts were burnt on the altar, and for some (e.g., sin offering of the high priest or whole congregation) the remaining flesh was burnt outside the camp, the flesh of the individual sin offering (when its blood was not brought into the tent of meeting) was eaten by the priests (Lev 6:24-30).
• and every trespass offering of theirs: (wəḵol ’āšāmām) - Refers to the asham, an offering made for specific offenses requiring restitution (e.g., inadvertent violation of holy things, fraud). The meat of the trespass offering was also given to the priests (Lev 7:1-7).
• which they render to Me: (ašer yašību lî) - Emphasizes the divine ownership of all offerings. The Israelites offer to God, and then God, in turn, allocates a portion to the priests. This reinforces that priestly provision is a divine command, not mere human charity.
• shall be most holy for you and for your sons: (qodesh qodashim yihyū leḵā ulivnêḵā) - A reiteration of the sanctity and the hereditary nature of this entitlement. It firmly states that these provisions carry the same sacred weight as the offerings themselves, and the right to them belongs to Aaron and his male priestly lineage indefinitely.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "This shall be yours from the most holy things, reserved from the fire": This phrase establishes the specific category of items the priests are entitled to. It defines how they receive these sacred portions—not just from anything offered, but from those offerings characterized by ultimate holiness, and specifically, the parts set aside before total combustion. It highlights the distinction between the parts given wholly to God through fire (burnt offerings, fat) and those divinely allotted for the priestly livelihood.
• "every offering of theirs, every grain offering of theirs, every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs": This enumeration ensures clarity and comprehensiveness. While "every offering" is broad, the specific mention of grain, sin, and trespass offerings leaves no room for ambiguity about which common, non-burnt offerings contribute to priestly sustenance. These were foundational daily/regular offerings.
• "which they render to Me, shall be most holy for you and for your sons": This concluding phrase binds the act of giving by the people to God's act of providing for the priests. It underscores that these provisions are not arbitrary benefits but come directly from that which belongs to God. The dual emphasis on "most holy" and "for you and for your sons" reinforces the high sacred status of the priestly office and the enduring, inherited nature of their divine provision, making it clear that serving God faithfully meant God would ensure their welfare.

Numbers 18 9 Bonus section

The distinction between "most holy things" (qodesh qodashim) and "holy things" (qodashim) is crucial in Levitical law and the regulations in Numbers 18. "Most holy things" included sin offerings (flesh not burnt), trespass offerings (flesh), and grain offerings (remainder after part was burnt). These had very strict rules for consumption: only male priests (Aaron and his sons), only within the Tabernacle/Temple courtyard, and only when ritually pure. "Holy things," on the other hand, typically included portions from peace offerings (breast and thigh) and firstfruits; these could be eaten by the male priests and their pure family members (sons and daughters) and in any ritually clean place, not just the Tabernacle precincts. This differentiation in consumption reflects varying degrees of proximity to the divine presence and the sanctity of the items.

Numbers 18 9 Commentary

Numbers 18:9 is a foundational verse that establishes the divinely ordained economic support system for the Aaronic priesthood. It specifies that priests were not to fend for themselves through secular means but were to be sustained by specific, most holy portions of the sacrifices presented by the people to God. This arrangement highlighted several critical theological points: first, it underscored the holiness and dedication required of the priesthood; their entire lives were devoted to Tabernacle service, and thus their physical needs were met directly by God through the offerings. Second, it demonstrated God's direct provision for those who serve Him faithfully, removing the necessity of worldly distraction for spiritual laborers. Third, it instructed the people on their responsibility to support those who ministered to them in sacred matters, as these portions were derived from their offerings to God. The strict guidelines regarding what, how, and by whom these portions could be eaten reinforced the profound sanctity surrounding the entire sacrificial system and the office of the priest. This ensured a spiritual economy where faithfulness in giving supported faithfulness in service.