Numbers 18:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Therefore you are to tell them, 'When you set aside from it its best part, it will be accounted to the L'vi'im as if it were grain from the threshing-floor and grape juice from the wine vat.

Berean Standard Bible:

Therefore say to the Levites, ‘When you have presented the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress.

American Standard Version:

Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye heave the best thereof from it, then it shall be reckoned unto the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor, and as the increase of the winepress.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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}.

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Commentary for Numbers 18:30

1. **Themes:**
- **Sacred Offerings:** The verse emphasizes the importance of offering the best produce to God, which is a recurring theme in the Torah. The act of "heaving" or lifting up the best part of the harvest is a form of worship and recognition of God's provision.
- **Support for the Levites:** The Levites, being the priestly tribe, were not given a territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead, they were supported by the offerings and tithes of the other Israelites. This system ensured their sustenance as they dedicated themselves to religious duties.
- **Divine Economy:** The verse reflects the economic system established by God for the Israelites, which included specific instructions on how to handle agricultural produce, ensuring that the priests and their families were provided for.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Setting:** Numbers 18:30 is part of the book of Numbers, which details the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. The book includes laws and narratives that shaped the religious and social life of ancient Israel.
- **The Levitical Priesthood:** At this time, the Levites were set apart for religious service. They were responsible for the tabernacle (and later the temple) and had various duties, including teaching the law, performing sacrifices, and maintaining sacred spaces.
- **The Law of Moses:** The instructions given in this verse are part of the broader Mosaic Law, which governed the religious, civil, and moral life of the Israelites. The laws were given to Moses by God and were to be followed by the Israelites as a covenant community.
- **Agricultural Society:** Ancient Israel was primarily an agrarian society. The laws regarding offerings and tithes were designed to work within this context, ensuring that the priests received their share from the agricultural produce of the people.

In summary, Numbers 18:30 addresses the sacred offerings given to the Levites as their portion of the harvest. It reflects the themes of worship through offerings, the support system for the priestly class, and the divine organization of the Israelite economy, all set within the context of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land and their establishment as a nation under the Law of Moses.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7311
   There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּם
   Transliteration: rûwm
   Pronunciation: room
   Description: a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively); bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2459
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֶלֶב
   Transliteration: cheleb
   Pronunciation: kheh'-leb
   Description: or חֵלֶב; from an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part; [idiom] best, fat(-ness), [idiom] finest, grease, marrow.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2803
   There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָשַׁב
   Transliteration: châshab
   Pronunciation: khaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute; (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3881
   There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵוִיִּי
   Transliteration: Lêvîyîy
   Pronunciation: lay-vee-ee'
   Description: or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8393
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּבוּאָה
   Transliteration: tᵉbûwʼâh
   Pronunciation: teb-oo-aw'
   Description: from בּוֹא; income, i.e. produce (literally or figuratively); fruit, gain, increase, revenue.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1637
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גֹּרֶן
   Transliteration: gôren
   Pronunciation: go'-ren
   Description: from an unused root meaning to smooth; a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area; (barn, corn, threshing-) floor, (threshing-, void) place.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3342
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יֶקֶב
   Transliteration: yeqeb
   Pronunciation: yeh'-keb
   Description: from an unused root meaning to excavate; a trough (as dug out); specifically, a wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the juice drains; or the upper, in which the grapes are crushed); fats, presses, press-fat, wine(-press).