Deuteronomy 18:3

KJV

And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether [it be] ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.

KJV (with Strong's)

And this shall be the priest's {H3548} due {H4941} from the people {H5971}, from them that offer {H2076} a sacrifice {H2077}, whether it be ox {H7794} or sheep {H7716}; and they shall give {H5414} unto the priest {H3548} the shoulder {H2220}, and the two cheeks {H3895}, and the maw {H6896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"The cohanim will have the right to receive from the people, from those offering a sacrifice, whether ox or sheep, the shoulder, the jowls and the stomach.

Berean Standard Bible

This shall be the priests’ share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether a bull or a sheep: the priests are to be given the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach.

American Standard Version

And this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 18:3 establishes a precise ordinance for the provision of the Levitical priests, detailing specific portions of animal sacrifices—the shoulder, two cheeks, and maw—that were to be given to them. This divine mandate ensured the material sustenance of those consecrated to Yahweh's service, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties of teaching, mediating, and maintaining the sanctuary without needing to engage in secular labor. The verse underscores God's meticulous care for His ministers and His design for an ordered, just, and covenant-keeping society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 18:3 is situated within Moses' final addresses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter, part of a larger section outlining laws for a holy nation (Deuteronomy 12-26), specifically addresses the role and provision of the Levites and priests. The preceding verses in [Deuteronomy 18:1-2](/deuteronomy/18-1 "Deuteronomy 18:1-2 - The Levites' Inheritance") clarify that the tribe of Levi, unlike the other tribes, would not receive a territorial inheritance, as "the Lord is their inheritance." This sets the stage for the detailed instructions on how they *would* be sustained, primarily through the offerings and tithes of the people. The verses immediately following (Deuteronomy 18:4-8) continue to discuss priestly dues and the Levites' right to serve. The broader context of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Second Law") emphasizes covenant renewal, obedience, and the establishment of a just society under God's law.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood on the cusp of transitioning from a nomadic wilderness existence to a settled agricultural life in Canaan. This transition necessitated clear laws for the functioning of their society, including the maintenance of their religious institutions. In the ancient Near East, religious functionaries were typically supported by the community or state, often through land grants or portions of offerings. Israel's system, however, was unique in that God Himself was declared the Levites' inheritance, making their provision directly tied to the people's obedience in bringing offerings to the sanctuary. The specific animal parts mentioned—shoulder, cheeks, maw—were not arbitrary. The shoulder (foreleg) was often considered a prime cut, while the cheeks and maw (stomach of a ruminant) could be valuable either as delicacies or for commercial purposes (e.g., leather from the maw, or simply as a substantial portion). This provision ensured a consistent and honorable livelihood for the priests, enabling them to fulfill their crucial role in mediating between God and the people, teaching the Law, and performing sacrificial rites.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Second Law") and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Provision for Ministry**. God, who called the priests to His service, also meticulously provided for their sustenance, demonstrating His faithfulness and the importance of dedicated spiritual leadership. This principle is foundational to understanding the covenant community's responsibility to support those who minister. Another theme is **Covenant Obedience and Justice**. By detailing the specific "due" (Hebrew: *mishpat*, meaning right or ordinance) for the priests, God established a clear framework for righteous living within the covenant. The act of giving these portions was an act of obedience, reinforcing the people's commitment to God's commands and ensuring justice in the distribution of resources. Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Holiness and Separation**. The priests were set apart for sacred service, and their unique mode of provision underscored their distinct role, allowing them to focus on maintaining the holiness of the sanctuary and guiding the nation in their walk with God, as seen in the broader regulations for the Levites in [Numbers 18](/numbers/18 "Numbers 18 - Duties of Priests and Levites").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **due (מִשְׁפָּט, _mishpat_):** This Hebrew term is rich in meaning, encompassing "justice," "right," "ordinance," "judgment," or "custom." In this context, it refers to an established right or prescribed portion. It signifies that the priests' share was not a charitable donation but a divinely ordained entitlement, an act of justice and adherence to God's covenantal law. This emphasizes the legal and binding nature of the provision.
* **shoulder (זְרֹעַ, _zeroa'_):** Referring to the foreleg or upper arm of the animal, the "shoulder" was generally considered a prime and substantial cut of meat. Its inclusion as a priestly due underscores that God intended a generous and honorable provision for His servants, not merely a subsistence allowance. This portion would have provided significant nourishment.
* **maw (קֵבָה, _qevah_):** This term refers to the stomach, specifically the abomasum or fourth stomach of a ruminant. While perhaps less appealing to modern sensibilities, in ancient cultures, the maw could be considered a delicacy or a valuable part of the animal, potentially for its contents (e.g., rennet for cheese-making) or for its use in various preparations. Its inclusion demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the priestly provision, ensuring they received a full range of edible and valuable parts from the sacrifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this shall be the priest's due from the people":** This opening clause establishes the divine mandate for the provision, emphasizing that it is a rightful entitlement (a "due," *mishpat*) for the priests, originating from the people. It highlights the reciprocal relationship within the covenant: the priests serve God on behalf of the people, and the people, in turn, are commanded by God to provide for the priests.
* **"from them that offer a sacrifice, whether [it be] ox or sheep":** This specifies the source of the priestly provision—the individual Israelite who brings an animal sacrifice. The mention of "ox or sheep" indicates the common sacrificial animals, implying that this due applied generally to various types of animal offerings brought by the people, not just specific categories like peace offerings.
* **"and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.":** This final clause precisely enumerates the specific portions of the animal that were to be given to the priest. The specificity ensures clarity, prevents disputes, and reinforces the meticulous nature of God's law. These parts, as discussed in Key Word Analysis, represent valuable and substantial portions, ensuring the priest's adequate sustenance.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 18:3 primarily functions as a **Legal Prescription**, providing a clear and unambiguous command regarding the priestly due. The verse employs **Specificity** by meticulously listing the exact anatomical portions (shoulder, cheeks, maw), leaving no room for ambiguity and demonstrating the meticulousness of the divine law. This detailed enumeration also serves as a form of **Merism**, where specific parts are named to represent a broader category of provision, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's care for His ministers. The use of the phrase "shall be" and "shall give" reinforces the **Imperative Mood** of the command, emphasizing its mandatory nature within the covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 18:3 is a foundational text for understanding God's design for the support of those dedicated to His service. It underscores the principle that those who minister spiritually should be adequately provided for by the community they serve, enabling them to devote themselves fully to their sacred calling without worldly distractions. This provision is not charity but a divinely ordained "due," reflecting God's justice and His meticulous care for His covenant people and their leaders. It connects the act of worship (bringing a sacrifice) directly to the sustenance of the priesthood, illustrating the interconnectedness of spiritual devotion and practical support within the community. This system ensured the continuity of sacred rites and the teaching of God's law, vital for Israel's spiritual health.

* [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance")
* [Leviticus 7:32-34](/leviticus/7-32 "Leviticus 7:32-34 - Priests' Portion of Peace Offerings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 18:3, though rooted in the Old Covenant sacrificial system, offers enduring principles for the Christian community today. It reminds us that God values dedicated service and orchestrates provision for those who commit their lives to spiritual ministry. Just as the ancient Israelites were commanded to tangibly support their priests, believers today are called to steward their resources to support those who teach, preach, and lead in the church. This support allows ministers to focus on prayer, the study of the Word, and pastoral care, rather than being burdened by secular concerns. It fosters a healthy, interdependent community where spiritual needs are met by dedicated leaders, and the material needs of those leaders are met by a grateful and obedient congregation. Our giving, whether financial or through practical service, becomes an act of worship and obedience, reflecting God's own generous provision and our participation in His ongoing work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of "support" for spiritual leaders in the church today?**
* **What does God's meticulous provision for the priests reveal about His character and His care for His servants?**
* **In what practical ways can we apply the principle of "due" to those who minister among us, ensuring they are honorably sustained?**

### FAQ

**Why did the priests receive specific parts like the shoulder, cheeks, and maw, and not just any portion?**

Answer: The specificity of the portions (shoulder, two cheeks, and maw) was intentional and served multiple purposes. Firstly, it ensured a consistent and substantial provision for the priests. The shoulder was a prime cut, providing significant meat. The cheeks and maw, while perhaps less common in modern diets, were considered valuable or even delicacies in ancient cultures. Secondly, this precise designation prevented disputes between the offerer and the priest, establishing a clear divine ordinance for distribution. Thirdly, it distinguished the priest's portion from what was burned on the altar (God's portion) and what was consumed by the offerer and their family (their portion), reinforcing the distinct roles within the sacrificial system. This meticulous detail underscores God's orderliness and His desire for equitable provision for those dedicated to His service.

**How does this specific provision in Deuteronomy relate to other instructions for priestly support found elsewhere in the Pentateuch?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 18:3 complements and expands upon other instructions for priestly support found in books like Leviticus and Numbers. For instance, [Leviticus 7:32-34](/leviticus/7-32 "Leviticus 7:32-34 - Priests' Portion of Peace Offerings") specifies that the breast and right thigh (shoulder) of the peace offering were for the priests. Deuteronomy 18:3 adds the cheeks and maw, suggesting it might refer to a broader category of animal sacrifices (ox or sheep) where the offerer brought the animal, or it might be a supplementary provision. Beyond these specific cuts, the priests and Levites were also sustained by tithes (e.g., [Numbers 18:21-24](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21-24 - Tithes for the Levites")), firstfruits (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:4](/deuteronomy/18-4 "Deuteronomy 18:4 - Firstfruits and Firstborn")), and portions of various other offerings. The overarching principle across all these texts is that the Levites, having no territorial inheritance, were to be sustained by the offerings of the people, with the Lord Himself being their ultimate inheritance and source of provision (as stated in [Deuteronomy 18:1-2](/deuteronomy/18-1 "Deuteronomy 18:1-2 - The Levites' Inheritance") and [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 18:3, with its detailed provision for the Old Covenant priesthood, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. While the specific rituals of animal sacrifice and the Levitical priesthood have passed away, the underlying principles are transformed and elevated in Christ. Jesus Christ is the ultimate High Priest, who offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, rendering all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete (as explained in [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice") and [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ, High Priest of the New Covenant")). In Him, the need for a mediating human priesthood receiving material "due" from animal offerings is fulfilled. Furthermore, under the New Covenant, all believers are constituted a "royal priesthood" (as declared in [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service. Yet, the principle of supporting those who minister the Word remains. Just as the Old Testament priests lived by the altar, the New Testament teaches that "those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel" (as articulated in [1 Corinthians 9:14](/1_corinthians/9-14 "1 Corinthians 9:14 - Ministers Live by the Gospel")). Thus, the meticulous care God showed for His Old Covenant ministers foreshadows His continued provision for those who serve in His name today, now through the voluntary, Spirit-prompted generosity of the church, enabling them to devote themselves fully to proclaiming the saving work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 7:30

His own hands shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the fat with the breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved [for] a wave offering before the LORD.

Leviticus 7:34

For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 12:27

And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.