Numbers 18:26 - “Moreover you shall speak to the Levites, and tell them, ‘When you take of the children of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall offer up a wave offering of it for Yahweh, a tithe of the tithe.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Numbers 18:26" mean?
Numbers 18:26 outlines the responsibility of the Levites regarding the tithe they received from the Israelites. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: In ancient Israel, the Levites were a priestly tribe who did not receive a land inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, they were supported by the tithes (a tenth of the produce) given by the Israelites.
"Moreover you shall speak to the Levites, and tell them...": This indicates that God is giving instructions to Moses and Aaron specifically for the Levites.
"...When you take of the children of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance...": This acknowledges that the tithe is the Levites' primary means of support, given to them by God through the Israelites.
"...then you shall offer up a wave offering of it for Yahweh, a tithe of the tithe.": This is the key point. The Levites were not allowed to keep the entire tithe for themselves. They were required to give a tenth of what they received (a "tithe of the tithe") as a "wave offering" to Yahweh (God). This portion was specifically for the high priest and the other priests who were descendants of Aaron.
In essence, the verse mandates that the Levites must tithe on their tithe, offering a tenth of what they receive from the Israelites to support the priests who served in the Tabernacle/Temple.
Significance and Purpose:
Acknowledgement of God's Sovereignty: By requiring the Levites to tithe, God reinforced the principle that everything ultimately belongs to Him. Even the Levites' sustenance was a gift from God, and they were to acknowledge His ownership by offering a portion back to Him.
Support for the Priesthood: The "tithe of the tithe" provided for the needs of the high priest and the other priests who were responsible for conducting the rituals and sacrifices in the Tabernacle/Temple. This ensured that they could focus on their duties without having to worry about their own sustenance.
Hierarchical Structure: The passage reinforces the hierarchical structure of the Levitical priesthood, with the Levites receiving from the people and the priests receiving from the Levites.
Holiness and Set-Apartness: The act of tithing underscored the holiness of both the Levites and the priests, setting them apart for sacred service. It was a tangible reminder that they were dedicated to God's purposes.
Numbers 18:26 - “Moreover you shall speak to the Levites, and tell them, ‘When you take of the children of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall offer up a wave offering of it for Yahweh, a tithe of the tithe.
What does "Numbers 18:26" mean?
Numbers 18:26 outlines the responsibility of the Levites regarding the tithe they received from the Israelites. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: In ancient Israel, the Levites were a priestly tribe who did not receive a land inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, they were supported by the tithes (a tenth of the produce) given by the Israelites.
"Moreover you shall speak to the Levites, and tell them...": This indicates that God is giving instructions to Moses and Aaron specifically for the Levites.
"...When you take of the children of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance...": This acknowledges that the tithe is the Levites' primary means of support, given to them by God through the Israelites.
"...then you shall offer up a wave offering of it for Yahweh, a tithe of the tithe.": This is the key point. The Levites were not allowed to keep the entire tithe for themselves. They were required to give a tenth of what they received (a "tithe of the tithe") as a "wave offering" to Yahweh (God). This portion was specifically for the high priest and the other priests who were descendants of Aaron.
In essence, the verse mandates that the Levites must tithe on their tithe, offering a tenth of what they receive from the Israelites to support the priests who served in the Tabernacle/Temple.
Significance and Purpose:
Acknowledgement of God's Sovereignty: By requiring the Levites to tithe, God reinforced the principle that everything ultimately belongs to Him. Even the Levites' sustenance was a gift from God, and they were to acknowledge His ownership by offering a portion back to Him.
Support for the Priesthood: The "tithe of the tithe" provided for the needs of the high priest and the other priests who were responsible for conducting the rituals and sacrifices in the Tabernacle/Temple. This ensured that they could focus on their duties without having to worry about their own sustenance.
Hierarchical Structure: The passage reinforces the hierarchical structure of the Levitical priesthood, with the Levites receiving from the people and the priests receiving from the Levites.
Holiness and Set-Apartness: The act of tithing underscored the holiness of both the Levites and the priests, setting them apart for sacred service. It was a tangible reminder that they were dedicated to God's purposes.