Numbers 18:11 - “This is yours, too: the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel. I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it.
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What does "Numbers 18:11" mean?
Numbers 18:11 is part of a larger section outlining the portions and entitlements allocated to the Levites (specifically the priests, who were a subset of the Levites) for their service in the tabernacle (and later the temple). Let's break down the verse's meaning:
"This is yours, too:" This indicates that the following is another item added to the list of provisions and benefits given to the priests. The "yours" refers to Aaron (the high priest) and his descendants, the priestly family.
"the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel." Wave offerings were a specific type of offering brought by the Israelites. They involved the priest symbolically waving the offering before the Lord. These offerings were typically part of various sacrifices and represented a dedication to God. The priests received a portion of these wave offerings as their due. The phrase "all the wave offerings" underscores that they were entitled to a share of every wave offering made by the people.
"I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever." The Lord is the one bestowing this right to the priests. It emphasizes that this is a permanent arrangement, intended to last "forever" (or as long as the Levitical priesthood existed). The inclusion of "your sons and your daughters" means that the benefit extended to the entire priestly family, not just the male priests.
"Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it." This is a crucial point. The offering was considered holy. Only those who were ritually "clean" were allowed to partake of it. This meant they needed to be free from any sources of impurity according to Levitical law (such as contact with a corpse, certain skin diseases, or bodily emissions). The phrase "in your house" indicates that it wasn't just limited to the immediate family, but anyone who resided with them (servants, perhaps other relatives) who met the purity requirements.
In summary, the verse means:
God is granting the priests and their families a portion of the wave offerings brought by the Israelites. This is a permanent provision for them, and only those in their household who are ritually clean are permitted to eat of it.
Significance:
Support of the Priesthood: The verse illustrates how the priests were provided for. Since they weren't given land like the other tribes, their livelihood depended on these types of offerings.
Holiness and Ritual Purity: The emphasis on ritual purity highlights the importance of holiness in approaching God and handling sacred things.
Family Benefit: It shows that the benefits of the priesthood extended to the entire family, not just the individuals serving in the tabernacle.
Divine Authority: It emphasizes that this arrangement was ordained by God Himself, not a mere human custom.
Numbers 18:11 - “This is yours, too: the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel. I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it.
What does "Numbers 18:11" mean?
Numbers 18:11 is part of a larger section outlining the portions and entitlements allocated to the Levites (specifically the priests, who were a subset of the Levites) for their service in the tabernacle (and later the temple). Let's break down the verse's meaning:
"This is yours, too:" This indicates that the following is another item added to the list of provisions and benefits given to the priests. The "yours" refers to Aaron (the high priest) and his descendants, the priestly family.
"the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel." Wave offerings were a specific type of offering brought by the Israelites. They involved the priest symbolically waving the offering before the Lord. These offerings were typically part of various sacrifices and represented a dedication to God. The priests received a portion of these wave offerings as their due. The phrase "all the wave offerings" underscores that they were entitled to a share of every wave offering made by the people.
"I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever." The Lord is the one bestowing this right to the priests. It emphasizes that this is a permanent arrangement, intended to last "forever" (or as long as the Levitical priesthood existed). The inclusion of "your sons and your daughters" means that the benefit extended to the entire priestly family, not just the male priests.
"Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it." This is a crucial point. The offering was considered holy. Only those who were ritually "clean" were allowed to partake of it. This meant they needed to be free from any sources of impurity according to Levitical law (such as contact with a corpse, certain skin diseases, or bodily emissions). The phrase "in your house" indicates that it wasn't just limited to the immediate family, but anyone who resided with them (servants, perhaps other relatives) who met the purity requirements.
In summary, the verse means:
God is granting the priests and their families a portion of the wave offerings brought by the Israelites. This is a permanent provision for them, and only those in their household who are ritually clean are permitted to eat of it.
Significance:
Support of the Priesthood: The verse illustrates how the priests were provided for. Since they weren't given land like the other tribes, their livelihood depended on these types of offerings.
Holiness and Ritual Purity: The emphasis on ritual purity highlights the importance of holiness in approaching God and handling sacred things.
Family Benefit: It shows that the benefits of the priesthood extended to the entire family, not just the individuals serving in the tabernacle.
Divine Authority: It emphasizes that this arrangement was ordained by God Himself, not a mere human custom.