Exodus 29:28

KJV

And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it [is] an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, [even] their heave offering unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall be Aaron's {H175} and his sons {H1121}' by a statute {H2706} for ever {H5769} from the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}: for it is an heave offering {H8641}: and it shall be an heave offering {H8641} from the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} of the sacrifice {H2077} of their peace offerings {H8002}, even their heave offering {H8641} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

this will belong to Aharon and his sons as their share perpetually due from the people of Isra'el - it will be a contribution from the people of Isra'el from their peace offerings, their contribution to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites, for it is the heave offering the Israelites will make to the LORD from their peace offerings.

American Standard Version

and it shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion for ever from the children of Israel; for it is a heave-offering: and it shall be a heave-offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace-offerings, even their heave-offering unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 29:28 establishes a perpetual, divinely ordained provision for Aaron and his sons, the consecrated Levitical priests, ensuring their sustenance through a designated portion of the Israelites' peace offerings. This "heave offering" was a sacred allocation, perpetually set apart from the people's voluntary sacrifices, underscoring God's meticulous care for the operational structure of worship and the ongoing support of those dedicated to His service within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 29 is a pivotal chapter detailing the elaborate seven-day consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons, marking their official induction into the priesthood. Following meticulous instructions for specific sacrifices—the sin offering, burnt offering, and the ram of consecration—the text outlines the portions designated for the priests. Verses 26-27 specify the "wave breast" and "heave thigh" from the ram of consecration as sacred portions for Aaron and his sons. Verse 28 then broadens this provision, establishing a permanent statute for future generations, ensuring that a portion of the people's *peace offerings* would consistently sustain the priesthood. This verse thus transitions from the unique sacrifices of the consecration ceremony to the ongoing, perpetual mechanism for the Levitical ministry, linking the initial act of ordination with the enduring function of the priesthood within Israel's worship life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, priests often derived their sustenance from temple offerings or state provisions. Israel's system, however, was unique in its direct divine mandate and its intrinsic integration with the sacrificial system. As the Israelites transitioned from slavery to a covenant nation, the establishment of a formal, divinely appointed priesthood was crucial for their identity, governance, and worship. The detailed instructions in [Exodus 29](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - Consecration of Priests") and throughout [Leviticus](/leviticus "Leviticus - Laws for Holy Living") ensured a structured, holy approach to God. The "peace offering" (Hebrew: _shelamim_) was distinct from sin or burnt offerings; it was a voluntary sacrifice expressing thanksgiving, a vow, or communion, often culminating in a communal meal where the offerer, priests, and God (symbolically) shared. The "heave offering" (Hebrew: _terumah_) was a portion "lifted up" or "separated" from the whole, signifying its dedication to God before being given to the priests, thus ensuring their livelihood was directly linked to the people's acts of worship and God's provision. This system prevented the priests from needing to engage in secular labor, allowing them to fully devote themselves to their sacred duties, much like the Levites were given no tribal land inheritance but were sustained by the Lord, as seen in [Numbers 18:20-24](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20-24 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance").
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several key themes within the broader narrative of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Provision**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in sustaining those He calls to His service. It highlights the **Sanctity of the Priesthood**, emphasizing that the priests were set apart for holy work and required distinct, holy means of support. The concept of **Covenant Obligation** is also central, as this provision is established as a "statute for ever," a permanent decree binding on the children of Israel. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Worship and Sacrifice** as the means by which the people express their devotion and, in turn, contribute to the functioning of God's tabernacle. The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **Communal Responsibility**, as the people's voluntary "peace offerings" become the source of the priests' sustenance, fostering a reciprocal relationship within the covenant community. This intricate system underscores God's meticulous order in establishing a functional and holy relationship with His people, a relationship that required dedicated spiritual leadership, as further elaborated in [Deuteronomy 18:1-5](/deuteronomy/18-1-5 "Deuteronomy 18:1-5 - The Priests' Portion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Statute (Hebrew, _chôq'_):** From H2706, meaning "an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage); appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task." In this context, _chôq_ signifies a divinely established, binding ordinance or law. It emphasizes the authoritative and non-negotiable nature of God's command regarding the priests' provision, establishing it as a permanent legal decree.
* **For ever (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** From H5769, meaning "properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always; alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end)." When combined with "statute," _ʻôwlâm_ underscores the perpetual, unending, and unchanging nature of this divine decree. It signifies that this provision for the priesthood was not a temporary measure but a foundational and permanent aspect of the Mosaic covenant, intended to govern the relationship between the people, the priests, and God through all generations.
* **Heave offering (Hebrew, _tᵉrûwmâh'_):** From H8641, meaning "a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute; gift, heave offering (shoulder), oblation, offered(-ing)." Derived from a root meaning "to lift up" or "to separate," _tᵉrûwmâh_ refers to a portion of an offering that is "lifted up" or set apart from the main body. It represents a contribution or a gift designated specifically for sacred use, particularly as provision for the priests. The act of "heaving" symbolized dedication to God and His subsequent allocation of that portion to His appointed ministers, highlighting its sacred status and divine origin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' by a statute for ever from the children of Israel:"** This clause establishes the perpetual and legally binding right of the consecrated priesthood—Aaron and his descendants—to receive a designated portion of the offerings from the Israelite community. The phrase "by a statute for ever" underscores the enduring, non-negotiable nature of this divine decree, ensuring the permanent sustenance of those dedicated to priestly service across generations.
* **"for it [is] an heave offering:"** This identifies the specific nature of the portion: it is a "heave offering," a consecrated gift "lifted up" or set apart from the general offerings. This designation highlights its sacred status and its divine allocation, indicating that it is not merely a common portion but one dedicated to God.
* **"and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings,"** This specifies the precise source of the "heave offering." It is to be taken directly from the "peace offerings" (fellowship offerings) that the children of Israel bring to the Lord. This links the priests' provision directly to the people's voluntary acts of worship and communion, emphasizing that their support flows from the very heart of the nation's spiritual life and joyful devotion.
* **"[even] their heave offering unto the LORD."** This final phrase reiterates and emphasizes that even though this portion is given to the priests for their sustenance, it is fundamentally an offering "unto the LORD." It reinforces the idea that the priests are recipients of God's provision, and their livelihood is ultimately from Him, mediated through the offerings of His people. It underscores the holiness of the offering and its ultimate dedication to God, even in its practical application for priestly support, signifying that what is given to the priests is first given to God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is prominently featured with the phrase "heave offering" appearing three times, which serves to emphasize its central importance and sacred nature as a consecrated portion. This deliberate repetition creates a strong sense of **Emphasis**, underscoring the divine mandate and the sacred character of the provision for the priesthood. The language itself is highly **Legal** and prescriptive, typical of covenant stipulations found throughout the books of Exodus and Leviticus, reflecting God's meticulous establishment of order and law within the nascent Israelite community. The phrase "by a statute for ever" functions as a powerful **Divine Mandate**, highlighting the eternal and unchanging nature of this command, thereby imbuing it with absolute authority and ensuring its perpetual observance. This precise, legalistic framing reinforces God's sovereignty and His detailed concern for the proper functioning and sustenance of His appointed ministry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 29:28 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for the operational structure of His worship and His faithful provision for those called to sacred service. It establishes a foundational principle that those who minister in spiritual capacities are to be sustained by the community they serve, enabling them to devote themselves fully to their divine calling without distraction. This system underscores the sanctity of offerings, as the "heave offering" was first dedicated to the Lord before being allocated to the priests, signifying that their livelihood was a holy provision from God Himself, mediated through the people's worship. This divine ordinance highlights God's commitment to maintaining a perpetual, consecrated priesthood for the spiritual well-being of His people under the Old Covenant, ensuring that the work of the tabernacle could continue uninterrupted.

* [Numbers 18:20-24](/numbers/18-20-24 "Numbers 18:20-24 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance")
* [Deuteronomy 18:1-5](/deuteronomy/18-1-5 "Deuteronomy 18:1-5 - Portion of the Priests and Levites")
* [1 Corinthians 9:13-14](/1_corinthians/9-13-14 "1 Corinthians 9:13-14 - Support for Gospel Ministers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 29:28 offers timeless principles for believers today, particularly concerning the support of spiritual leadership and the nature of our giving. Just as God meticulously provided for the Old Testament priesthood, He continues to orchestrate the sustenance of those who minister the Word and serve His church in the New Covenant. This verse challenges us to consider our role in upholding those who dedicate their lives to ministry, recognizing that our contributions are not merely financial transactions but acts of worship and participation in God's ongoing work. It reminds us that generosity, especially from our "peace offerings" (our joyful expressions of gratitude and communion with God), is a vital component of our spiritual life and contributes directly to the flourishing of God's kingdom. Our giving should flow from a heart of peace and gratitude, acknowledging God's faithfulness to provide for His servants and His meticulous order in all things. It calls us to reflect on whether our giving truly reflects a "heave offering"—something "lifted up" and set apart for the Lord, given with intentionality and reverence, recognizing that when we support His work and His servants, we are ultimately giving unto the Lord Himself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of divine provision for the priesthood in Exodus 29:28 inform our understanding of supporting spiritual leaders in the church today?**
* **In what ways can our giving be considered a "heave offering"—something "lifted up" and set apart for the Lord, even when given to support ministry?**
* **How does the connection between the priests' sustenance and the "peace offerings" encourage us to cultivate a heart of joy and gratitude in our giving?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's meticulous care for the details of worship and the practical needs of His servants?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "heave offering" being "for ever"?**

Answer: The phrase "for ever" (Hebrew: _chuqqat olam_) signifies that this provision for the priesthood was a perpetual and unchangeable statute within the Mosaic covenant. It was not a temporary measure but a foundational law ensuring the continuous support of Aaron's descendants who served as priests. This highlights God's faithfulness in providing for His appointed ministers and underscores the enduring nature of the priestly office under the Old Covenant, which itself foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Christ, as described in [Hebrews 7:24](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - Christ's Unchanging Priesthood"). This permanent decree ensured the stability and continuity of the sacrificial system and the spiritual leadership essential for Israel's covenant relationship with God.

**Why did the priests receive portions from the "peace offerings" specifically?**

Answer: The peace offering (Hebrew: _shelamim_) was a voluntary sacrifice expressing thanksgiving, the fulfillment of a vow, or a desire for communion with God. Unlike sin or burnt offerings, a significant portion of the peace offering was returned to the offerer for a communal meal, symbolizing fellowship between God and His people. By receiving their portion from these offerings, the priests' sustenance was directly linked to the joyful, voluntary acts of worship and communion of the people. This arrangement underscored that their provision was not a burden but a sacred sharing in the blessings of fellowship with God, demonstrating that their livelihood was sustained by the very acts of worship they facilitated. It also emphasized that God's provision for His servants flows from the heart of His people's gratitude and devotion, as further detailed in [Leviticus 7:28-36](/leviticus/7-28-36 "Leviticus 7:28-36 - Priests' Portions from Offerings").

**How does this Old Testament provision relate to New Testament principles of ministry support?**

Answer: While the specific sacrificial system and Levitical priesthood have been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principle of supporting those who minister God's Word remains. The New Testament affirms that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. For instance, [1 Corinthians 9:13-14](/1_corinthians/9-13-14 "1 Corinthians 9:13-14 - Support for Gospel Ministers") explicitly states, "Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." This demonstrates a clear continuity of principle: God's servants are to be sustained by the community they serve, enabling them to dedicate themselves fully to their calling, just as the Old Testament priests were. This principle is further echoed in [Galatians 6:6](/galatians/6-6 "Galatians 6:6 - Share with your Teacher"), which encourages sharing all good things with one's instructor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 29:28, with its meticulous provision for the Levitical priesthood, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "heave offering" given to Aaron and his sons, perpetually set apart for their sustenance, foreshadows the perfect and sufficient provision made by Christ, our great High Priest. Unlike the earthly priests who required ongoing sustenance and whose offerings were imperfect and repeated, Jesus offered Himself as the singular, perfect, and eternal sacrifice, the ultimate "heave offering" lifted up for the sins of the world (cf. [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once for All Sacrifice")). His priesthood is "by a statute for ever," not of human lineage but "after the order of Melchizedek," an eternal and unchanging priesthood, as the author of Hebrews so eloquently argues (cf. [Hebrews 7:17](/hebrews/7-17 "Hebrews 7:17 - Christ a Priest Forever") and [Hebrews 7:24](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - Christ's Unchanging Priesthood")). Furthermore, the sustenance of the New Covenant ministry, which is the Church, is not merely from physical offerings but from the spiritual life and resources provided by Christ Himself. As believers, we are called to be a "royal priesthood" (cf. [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), sustained by our union with Him and empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good deeds (cf. [Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15-16 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Deeds")). The principle of supporting those who minister the gospel, as seen in the Old Testament, is re-established in the New Testament (cf. [Galatians 6:6](/galatians/6-6 "Galatians 6:6 - Share with your Teacher")), but it is always in light of Christ's supreme and all-sufficient provision for His body, the Church, which is ultimately sustained by His ongoing intercession and divine grace, ensuring that His kingdom work will never lack what it needs.

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

Numbers 18:29

Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, [even] the hallowed part thereof out of it.

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.

Leviticus 3:1

¶ And if his oblation [be] a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer [it] of the herd; whether [it be] a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.

Leviticus 10:14

And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for [they be] thy due, and thy sons' due, [which] are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.

Leviticus 10:15

The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave [it for] a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.

Numbers 15:19

Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the LORD.

Numbers 15:20

Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough [for] an heave offering: as [ye do] the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.