Numbers 18:21 - “To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the Tent of Meeting.
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What does "Numbers 18:21" mean?
Numbers 18:21 is a key verse explaining the financial support system for the Levites in ancient Israel. Let's break it down:
"To the children of Levi...": The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Unlike the other tribes, they weren't given their own land inheritance. Instead, they were dedicated to serving in the tabernacle (later the Temple) and carrying out religious duties.
"...behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel...": A "tithe" is a tenth. The Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of their produce (crops, livestock, etc.) as a tithe. God is stating that this tithe, this tenth of everything, is being given to the Levites.
"...for an inheritance...": This clarifies that the tithe serves as the Levites' "inheritance." Since they didn't get land, the tithe became their source of sustenance and livelihood. It's their form of income.
"...in return for their service which they serve...": This is the reason for the tithe being given to the Levites. It's compensation for the important religious and administrative work they do. The Levites weren't farming or herding; they were dedicated to God's service.
"...even the service of the Tent of Meeting.": The "Tent of Meeting" (also known as the Tabernacle) was the portable sanctuary where God was worshiped before the Temple was built in Jerusalem. The Levites were responsible for maintaining the Tabernacle, leading worship, teaching the law, and other related tasks.
In simple terms, the verse means:
God gave the Levites the right to receive the tithes from the other tribes of Israel. This was because the Levites were dedicated to serving in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) and did not receive a land inheritance like the other tribes. The tithes were their way of being supported while they performed their religious duties.
Numbers 18:21 - “To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the Tent of Meeting.
What does "Numbers 18:21" mean?
Numbers 18:21 is a key verse explaining the financial support system for the Levites in ancient Israel. Let's break it down:
"To the children of Levi...": The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Unlike the other tribes, they weren't given their own land inheritance. Instead, they were dedicated to serving in the tabernacle (later the Temple) and carrying out religious duties.
"...behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel...": A "tithe" is a tenth. The Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of their produce (crops, livestock, etc.) as a tithe. God is stating that this tithe, this tenth of everything, is being given to the Levites.
"...for an inheritance...": This clarifies that the tithe serves as the Levites' "inheritance." Since they didn't get land, the tithe became their source of sustenance and livelihood. It's their form of income.
"...in return for their service which they serve...": This is the reason for the tithe being given to the Levites. It's compensation for the important religious and administrative work they do. The Levites weren't farming or herding; they were dedicated to God's service.
"...even the service of the Tent of Meeting.": The "Tent of Meeting" (also known as the Tabernacle) was the portable sanctuary where God was worshiped before the Temple was built in Jerusalem. The Levites were responsible for maintaining the Tabernacle, leading worship, teaching the law, and other related tasks.
In simple terms, the verse means:
God gave the Levites the right to receive the tithes from the other tribes of Israel. This was because the Levites were dedicated to serving in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) and did not receive a land inheritance like the other tribes. The tithes were their way of being supported while they performed their religious duties.