Deuteronomy 18:3 - This shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give to the priest the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts.
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What does "Deuteronomy 18:3" mean?
Deuteronomy 18:3 specifies the portion of sacrificial offerings that belongs to the priests. It's essentially a form of provision for the priests, who were responsible for religious duties and didn't have land or other means of support like other tribes. Let's break it down:
"This shall be the priests’ due from the people...": This establishes that the following items are the priest's rightful share. They are entitled to receive these things.
"...from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep...": This applies to all sacrifices of oxen and sheep, likely the most common types of livestock sacrificed.
"...that they shall give to the priest the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts.": This specifically lists the parts of the sacrificed animal that are to be given to the priest.
The shoulder: This would be a substantial portion of meat.
The two cheeks: These were likely considered a desirable part.
The inner parts: The Hebrew word translated as "inner parts" can be interpreted as the stomach (especially the abomasum), the omasum, and the reticulum, or as the maw and the fat. It is also often thought of as the liver. It's important to note that some inner organs, like the kidneys and the fat surrounding them, were specifically burned on the altar for God (see, for example, Leviticus 3:3-4).
Significance and Purpose:
Support for the Priesthood: The primary purpose was to provide food for the priests and their families. They dedicated their lives to religious service and did not have the opportunity to farm or engage in other trades to support themselves. This system ensured their basic needs were met.
Maintaining the Temple and Religious Practices: By providing for the priests, the people ensured that the temple rituals and religious practices could continue. A well-supported priesthood meant a well-functioning religious system.
Relationship Between the People and the Priesthood: This system reinforced the relationship between the people and the priesthood. The people's responsibility to provide for the priests highlighted the importance of their role in society.
Division of Sacrifices: It's important to remember that not all of the animal was given to the priests. Some portions were burned as an offering to God, some might have been eaten by the person offering the sacrifice, and some portions were designated for the priests. This division was carefully regulated.
Practical Considerations: The specific cuts given to the priest (shoulder, cheeks, and inner parts) may have been chosen for a combination of practical and symbolic reasons. They were valuable parts of the animal, and their distribution likely helped ensure that the sacrifices were properly handled and consumed.
In Summary:
Deuteronomy 18:3 outlines a system for providing for the priests by giving them a specific portion of the animal sacrifices offered by the people. This system ensured the priests' sustenance, maintained the temple and religious practices, and reinforced the relationship between the people and the priesthood.
Deuteronomy 18:3 - This shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give to the priest the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts.
What does "Deuteronomy 18:3" mean?
Deuteronomy 18:3 specifies the portion of sacrificial offerings that belongs to the priests. It's essentially a form of provision for the priests, who were responsible for religious duties and didn't have land or other means of support like other tribes. Let's break it down:
"This shall be the priests’ due from the people...": This establishes that the following items are the priest's rightful share. They are entitled to receive these things.
"...from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep...": This applies to all sacrifices of oxen and sheep, likely the most common types of livestock sacrificed.
"...that they shall give to the priest the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts.": This specifically lists the parts of the sacrificed animal that are to be given to the priest.
The shoulder: This would be a substantial portion of meat.
The two cheeks: These were likely considered a desirable part.
The inner parts: The Hebrew word translated as "inner parts" can be interpreted as the stomach (especially the abomasum), the omasum, and the reticulum, or as the maw and the fat. It is also often thought of as the liver. It's important to note that some inner organs, like the kidneys and the fat surrounding them, were specifically burned on the altar for God (see, for example, Leviticus 3:3-4).
Significance and Purpose:
Support for the Priesthood: The primary purpose was to provide food for the priests and their families. They dedicated their lives to religious service and did not have the opportunity to farm or engage in other trades to support themselves. This system ensured their basic needs were met.
Maintaining the Temple and Religious Practices: By providing for the priests, the people ensured that the temple rituals and religious practices could continue. A well-supported priesthood meant a well-functioning religious system.
Relationship Between the People and the Priesthood: This system reinforced the relationship between the people and the priesthood. The people's responsibility to provide for the priests highlighted the importance of their role in society.
Division of Sacrifices: It's important to remember that not all of the animal was given to the priests. Some portions were burned as an offering to God, some might have been eaten by the person offering the sacrifice, and some portions were designated for the priests. This division was carefully regulated.
Practical Considerations: The specific cuts given to the priest (shoulder, cheeks, and inner parts) may have been chosen for a combination of practical and symbolic reasons. They were valuable parts of the animal, and their distribution likely helped ensure that the sacrifices were properly handled and consumed.
In Summary:
Deuteronomy 18:3 outlines a system for providing for the priests by giving them a specific portion of the animal sacrifices offered by the people. This system ensured the priests' sustenance, maintained the temple and religious practices, and reinforced the relationship between the people and the priesthood.