Numbers 18:14, "Everything devoted in Israel shall be yours," refers to the priestly portion of things that were "devoted" to the Lord. To understand this verse, you need to understand what "devoted" means in this context.
Understanding "Devoted" (Hebrew: cherem)
Irrevocable Consecration: Things that were "devoted" or "put under the ban" (cherem) were irrevocably dedicated to the Lord. This wasn't a standard offering like a burnt offering. It was a more serious act of consecration, often involving complete destruction or permanent dedication to the Temple treasury.
Examples:
Spoils of War: Sometimes, after a victory, everything in a conquered city (people, animals, possessions) would be devoted to the Lord. These were usually destroyed completely as a form of judgment against the enemy. See Deuteronomy 13:15-18 for an example.
Land or Property: An individual might choose to dedicate land or property as cherem.
Consequences: Once something was declared cherem, it could not be redeemed or reclaimed. It was permanently separated from common use.
How Does This Verse Apply to the Priests?
The Priests' Portion: While most cherem items were destroyed or went into the Temple treasury, Numbers 18:14 specifies that the priests received the benefit of what was devoted in Israel. However, this refers to the proceeds of the cherem items and not necessarily the cherem items themselves.
What kind of cherem applies here? While the specifics are not clearly outlined in the verse, the context of Numbers 18 suggests that it refers to things or goods declared as cherem that could be of practical use to the priests in the service of the Lord. For example, precious metals that were devoted to the Lord could be used to make instruments for the Temple.
Support for the Priesthood: This provision ensured that the priests, who did not have their own land inheritance like the other tribes, were supported and provided for in their service to God.
In summary: Numbers 18:14 states that the priests were entitled to benefit from whatever in Israel was irrevocably dedicated to the Lord (i.e., cherem), especially if the item was of practical use to them in their priestly duties. This was a way to provide for their needs and support their service to God.
Numbers 18:14, "Everything devoted in Israel shall be yours," refers to the priestly portion of things that were "devoted" to the Lord. To understand this verse, you need to understand what "devoted" means in this context.
Understanding "Devoted" (Hebrew: cherem)
Irrevocable Consecration: Things that were "devoted" or "put under the ban" (cherem) were irrevocably dedicated to the Lord. This wasn't a standard offering like a burnt offering. It was a more serious act of consecration, often involving complete destruction or permanent dedication to the Temple treasury.
Examples:
Spoils of War: Sometimes, after a victory, everything in a conquered city (people, animals, possessions) would be devoted to the Lord. These were usually destroyed completely as a form of judgment against the enemy. See Deuteronomy 13:15-18 for an example.
Land or Property: An individual might choose to dedicate land or property as cherem.
Consequences: Once something was declared cherem, it could not be redeemed or reclaimed. It was permanently separated from common use.
How Does This Verse Apply to the Priests?
The Priests' Portion: While most cherem items were destroyed or went into the Temple treasury, Numbers 18:14 specifies that the priests received the benefit of what was devoted in Israel. However, this refers to the proceeds of the cherem items and not necessarily the cherem items themselves.
What kind of cherem applies here? While the specifics are not clearly outlined in the verse, the context of Numbers 18 suggests that it refers to things or goods declared as cherem that could be of practical use to the priests in the service of the Lord. For example, precious metals that were devoted to the Lord could be used to make instruments for the Temple.
Support for the Priesthood: This provision ensured that the priests, who did not have their own land inheritance like the other tribes, were supported and provided for in their service to God.
In summary: Numbers 18:14 states that the priests were entitled to benefit from whatever in Israel was irrevocably dedicated to the Lord (i.e., cherem), especially if the item was of practical use to them in their priestly duties. This was a way to provide for their needs and support their service to God.