21 And, behold, I have given H5414 the children H1121 of Levi H3878 all the tenth H4643 in Israel H3478 for an inheritance, H5159 for H2500 their service H5656 which they serve, H5647 even the service H5656 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation. H4150
22 Neither must the children H1121 of Israel H3478 henceforth H5750 come nigh H7126 the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 lest they bear H5375 sin, H2399 and die. H4191
23 But the Levites H3881 shall do H5647 the service H5656 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and they shall bear H5375 their iniquity: H5771 it shall be a statute H2708 for ever H5769 throughout your generations, H1755 that among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 they have H5157 no inheritance. H5159
24 But the tithes H4643 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 which they offer H7311 as an heave offering H8641 unto the LORD, H3068 I have given H5414 to the Levites H3881 to inherit: H5159 therefore I have said H559 unto them, Among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 they shall have H5157 no inheritance. H5159
25 And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559
26 Thus speak H1696 unto the Levites, H3881 and say H559 unto them, When ye take H3947 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 the tithes H4643 which I have given H5414 you from them for your inheritance, H5159 then ye shall offer H7311 up an heave offering H8641 of it for the LORD, H3068 even a tenth H4643 part of the tithe. H4643
27 And this your heave offering H8641 shall be reckoned H2803 unto you, as though it were the corn H1715 of the threshingfloor, H1637 and as the fulness H4395 of the winepress. H3342
28 Thus ye also shall offer H7311 an heave offering H8641 unto the LORD H3068 of all your tithes, H4643 which ye receive H3947 of the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 and ye shall give H5414 thereof the LORD'S H3068 heave offering H8641 to Aaron H175 the priest. H3548
29 Out of all your gifts H4979 ye shall offer H7311 every heave offering H8641 of the LORD, H3068 of all the best H2459 thereof, even the hallowed part H4720 thereof out of it.
30 Therefore thou shalt say H559 unto them, When ye have heaved H7311 the best H2459 thereof from it, then it shall be counted H2803 unto the Levites H3881 as the increase H8393 of the threshingfloor, H1637 and as the increase H8393 of the winepress. H3342
31 And ye shall eat H398 it in every place, H4725 ye and your households: H1004 for it is your reward H7939 for H2500 your service H5656 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation. H4150
32 And ye shall bear H5375 no sin H2399 by reason of it, when ye have heaved H7311 from it the best H2459 of it: neither shall ye pollute H2490 the holy things H6944 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 lest ye die. H4191
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Numbers 18
Commentary on Numbers 18 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 18
Aaron being now fully established in the priesthood abundantly to his own satisfaction, and to the satisfaction of the people (which was the good that God brought out of the evil opposition made to him), in this chapter God gives him full instructions concerning his office or rather repeats those which he had before given him. He tells him,
Num 18:1-7
The coherence of this chapter with that foregoing is very observable.
Num 18:8-19
The priest's service is called a warfare; and who goes a warfare at his own charges? As they were well employed, so they were well provided for, and well paid. None shall serve God for nought. All believers are spiritual priests, and God has promised to take care of them; they shall dwell in the land, and verily they shall be fed, and shall not want any good thing. Godliness has the promise of the life that now is. And from this plentiful provision here made for the priests the apostle infers that it is the duty of Christian churches to maintain their ministers; those that served at the altar lived upon the altar. So those that preach the gospel should live upon the gospel, and live comfortably, 1 Co. 9:13, 14. Scandalous maintenance makes scandalous ministers. Now observe,
Num 18:20-32
Here is a further account of the provision that was made both for the Levites and for the priests, out of the country.