King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The firstfruit [also] of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
You will also give him the firstfruits of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep.
Berean Standard Bible:
You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock.
American Standard Version:
The first-fruits of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The firstfruit{H7225} also of thy corn{H1715}, of thy wine{H8492}, and of thine oil{H3323}, and the first{H7225} of the fleece{H1488} of thy sheep{H6629}, shalt thou give{H5414} him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 22:29
- Thou shalt not delay [to offer] the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
Leviticus 23:17
- Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; [they are] the firstfruits unto the LORD.
Leviticus 23:10
- Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
Exodus 23:19
- The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
Job 21:20
- His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
Numbers 18:12
- All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.
Numbers 18:24
- But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer [as] an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 18:4
Deuteronomy 18:4 is part of the Old Testament and is set within the context of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This verse specifically addresses the requirement for the Israelites to give the first and best of their produce and flocks to the priests, who were the Levites. This was a form of tithe, acknowledging God's provision and ensuring the sustenance of the priestly class who had no inheritance of land and were dedicated to serving God and teaching the Law.
**Themes:**
1. **Gratitude and Acknowledgment of Providence:** The act of giving the firstfruits is a tangible expression of gratitude to God for His blessings and acknowledgment that all good things come from Him.
2. **Support for Religious Leaders:** By mandating these offerings, the Law ensured that the priests, who were essential to the religious and social life of Israel, were provided for.
3. **Holiness and Priority:** The first and best of the produce and flocks were considered holy and were to be set aside for God first, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual obligations over personal gain.
4. **Covenantal Faithfulness:** This practice was a sign of the Israelites' covenantal faithfulness to God, a theme that runs throughout Deuteronomy as Moses reiterates the Law to the new generation.
**Historical Context:**
The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab before they entered the land of Canaan. It is a restatement of the Law, given originally at Mount Sinai, tailored to the new situation of the Israelites about to possess the Promised Land. Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance of loyalty to God and obedience to His commandments as the key to prosperity and success in the land.
The command to give the firstfruits to the priests was part of the broader economic and social system established by the Law of Moses. This system included various forms of tithes and offerings, designed to support the priests and Levites, care for the poor, and maintain the central place of worship. The firstfruits offering was a recognition of God's role as the ultimate landowner and the source of all agricultural success in the agrarian society of ancient Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7225
There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵאשִׁית
Transliteration: rêʼshîyth
Pronunciation: ray-sheeth'
Description: from the same as רֹאשׁ; the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit); beginning, chief(-est), first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing. - Strong's Number: H1715
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּגָן
Transliteration: dâgân
Pronunciation: daw-gawn'
Description: from דָּגָה; properly, increase, i.e. grain; corn (floor), wheat. - Strong's Number: H8492
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תִּירוֹשׁ
Transliteration: tîyrôwsh
Pronunciation: tee-roshe'
Description: or תִּירֹשׁ; from יָרַשׁ in the sense of expulsion; must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine; (new, sweet) wine. - Strong's Number: H3323
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִצְהָר
Transliteration: yitshâr
Pronunciation: yits-hawr'
Description: from צָהַר; oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing; [phrase] anointed oil. - Strong's Number: H1488
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֵּז
Transliteration: gêz
Pronunciation: gaze
Description: from גַּזָז; a fleece (as shorn); also mown grass; fleece, mowing, mown grass. - Strong's Number: H6629
There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֹאן
Transliteration: tsôʼn
Pronunciation: tsone
Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.