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.

And the wave {H8573} breast {H2373} and heave {H8641} shoulder {H7785} shall ye eat {H398} in a clean {H2889} place {H4725}; thou, and thy sons {H1121}, and thy daughters {H1323} with thee: for they be thy due {H2706}, and thy sons {H1121}' due {H2706}, which are given {H5414} out of the sacrifices {H2077} of peace offerings {H8002} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

The breast that was waved and the thigh that was raised you are to eat in a clean place - you, your sons and your daughters with you; for these are given as your and your children's share of the sacrifices of the peace offerings presented by the people of Isra'el.

And you and your sons and daughters may eat the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution in a ceremonially clean place, because these portions have been assigned to you and your children from the peace offerings of the sons of Israel.

And the wave-breast and the heave-thigh shall ye eat in a clean place, thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they are given as thy portion, and thy sons’ portion, out of the sacrifices of the peace-offerings of the children of Israel.

Commentary

Context of Leviticus 10:14

Leviticus 10:14 is part of a crucial chapter in the book of Leviticus, immediately following the tragic incident where Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, offered unauthorized fire to the Lord and were consumed by divine fire. This event underscores the absolute necessity of strict adherence to God's commandments regarding worship and priestly duties. In the wake of this severe judgment, God reiterates and clarifies the laws concerning the priests' portions from the various sacrifices, ensuring that Aaron and his remaining sons understand their responsibilities and provisions.

This verse specifically addresses the portions priests and their families were permitted to eat from the sacrifices of peace offerings. These offerings were unique in that a portion was consumed by the worshiper, a portion was burned on the altar, and a portion was given to the priests, symbolizing fellowship and communion with God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision for Priestly Service: The verse highlights God's faithfulness in providing for those who serve Him. The "wave breast" and "heave shoulder" were specific portions designated by God as the priests' due, ensuring their sustenance as they dedicated themselves to the Tabernacle service. This principle of supporting those in ministry is a recurring theme throughout Scripture.
  • Holiness and Purity in Consumption: The instruction to eat these portions "in a clean place" emphasizes the ongoing requirement for ritual purity, even in the consumption of sacred food. While not necessarily within the holy precincts of the Tabernacle itself, it meant a place free from ritual impurity, underscoring the holiness associated with anything connected to God's offerings.
  • Family Inclusion in God's Blessings: The provision extends beyond the priests themselves to include "thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee." This shows that God's blessings and provisions often encompass the family unit, allowing the priests' households to partake in the benefits of their sacred calling.
  • Sacred Due, Not Charity: The phrase "for they be thy due, and thy sons' due" signifies that these portions were not merely charitable gifts but a divinely ordained right and entitlement for the priestly family. It was part of the covenant arrangement for their dedicated service.

Linguistic Insights

  • The "wave breast" (Hebrew: chazeh hat-tenufah) and "heave shoulder" (Hebrew: shoq hat-terumah) refer to specific ritual actions performed during the offering. The tenufah (wave offering) involved moving the offering horizontally before the Lord, while the terumah (heave offering) involved lifting it upwards. These movements symbolized presenting the offering to God and then receiving a portion back from Him, indicating that the priests received these portions directly from God's hand after they had been consecrated.
  • The term "clean place" (Hebrew: maqom tahor) refers to a ritually pure location, essential for consuming sacred food. This was distinct from the Most Holy Place or the Holy Place, but still required ceremonial cleanness.

Practical Application

Leviticus 10:14 offers timeless principles applicable to believers today:

  • God Provides for His Servants: Just as God provided for the Levitical priests, He continues to care for those who faithfully serve Him in various ministries. This can be a source of comfort and encouragement for those in full-time service, reminding them that their provision is ultimately from God.
  • Respect for Sacred Things: The emphasis on eating in a "clean place" underscores the importance of reverence and proper handling of all things dedicated to God, including our spiritual lives, worship, and service. It reminds us that our approach to God should always be marked by respect and purity.
  • Family in Ministry: The inclusion of the priests' families highlights that ministry often impacts and involves the entire household. It encourages families to support one another in their callings and to share in the blessings that flow from serving the Lord.
  • Understanding Spiritual Due: While we are not under the Old Testament sacrificial system, the concept of a "due" can inspire us to give generously to support those who teach and minister the Word, recognizing their vital role in the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 9:14).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 18:11

    And this [is] thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.

  • Leviticus 7:29

    Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the LORD shall bring his oblation unto the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.

  • 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.

  • John 4:34

    Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

  • Leviticus 9:21

    And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved [for] a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.

  • Exodus 29:24

    And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them [for] a wave offering before the LORD.

  • Exodus 29:28

    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.
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