(The Lord speaking is red text)
And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land, [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD'S: [it is] holy unto the LORD.
"'All the tenth given from the land, whether from planted seed or fruit from trees, belongs to ADONAI; it is holy to ADONAI.
Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Jehovah’s: it is holy unto Jehovah.
And all the tithe{H4643} of the land{H776}, whether of the seed{H2233} of the land{H776}, or of the fruit{H6529} of the tree{H6086}, is the LORD'S{H3068}: it is holy{H6944} unto the LORD{H3068}.
1. **Themes:**
- **Sanctity of Tithes:** The verse emphasizes that a tenth of all agricultural produce in the land of Israel is designated as holy and belongs to God. This reflects the principle of giving back to God a portion of what one has received, acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all blessings.
- **Divine Ownership:** The declaration that the tithe is "the LORD's" underscores the belief in God's sovereignty over the land and its produce. It reinforces the idea that the Israelites are stewards of what God has provided.
- **Economic and Religious Practice:** Tithing serves both economic and religious purposes. It supports the Levites and priests who have no inheritance in the land, as well as the poor, and it functions as an act of worship and thanksgiving.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Agrarian Society:** Leviticus 27:30 reflects the agrarian nature of ancient Israelite society. The economy was heavily based on agriculture, and the laws given in Leviticus often pertain to agricultural practices and customs.
- **Mosaic Law:** This verse is part of the Holiness Code within the book of Leviticus, which contains laws that Moses communicated to the Israelites on behalf of God. These laws were meant to set Israel apart as a holy nation.
- **Covenantal Context:** The command to tithe is part of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. Obedience to these laws was a sign of faithfulness to the covenant, and failure to tithe was considered a breach of the covenant.
- **Support for Religious Leaders:** The tithe system provided for the religious infrastructure of Israelite society, ensuring that those who dedicated their lives to religious service and the maintenance of the tabernacle (later the temple) were supported by the community.
In summary, Leviticus 27:30 is a directive within the Mosaic Law that establishes the practice of tithing as a means of recognizing God's ownership of the land and its produce, maintaining the religious and social order of Israelite society, and fostering a culture of worship and gratitude.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)