Numbers 15:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then it shall be, that, when ye eat {H398} of the bread {H3899} of the land {H776}, ye shall offer up {H7311} an heave offering {H8641} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and eat bread produced in the land, you are to set aside a portion as a gift for ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

and you eat the food of the land, you shall lift up an offering to the LORD.

American Standard Version

then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up a heave-offering unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 15:19 introduces a foundational ordinance for the Israelites, mandating a "heave offering" from the first of their harvested grain once they settled in the Promised Land. This command, given while still in the wilderness, served as a perpetual statute designed to instill profound gratitude and a constant acknowledgment of Yahweh as the sovereign Provider of all sustenance and the faithful fulfiller of His covenant promises, ensuring that their future abundance would always be consecrated to Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The command in Numbers 15:19 is situated within a comprehensive series of laws (Numbers 15:1-41) given by God through Moses, immediately following the devastating consequences of the Israelites' rebellion and refusal to enter the Promised Land, as detailed in [Numbers 13-14](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13-14 - The Spies and Israel's Rebellion"). Despite their profound failure and the resulting divine judgment, God, in His unwavering faithfulness, reaffirms His intention to bring them into Canaan. This chapter provides detailed instructions for life and worship *in* the land, covering various offerings including burnt offerings, sin offerings, and vows, thereby establishing a robust framework for maintaining holiness and a right relationship with God once settled. Specifically, [Numbers 15:17-21](/numbers/15-17-21 "Numbers 15:17-21 - The Law of the Heave Offering") introduces the law of the "heave offering" (terumah) from the first of their dough, a perpetual statute distinct from the wilderness manna, emphasizing future agricultural abundance and the proper response to it.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, ancient Near Eastern cultures widely practiced offering portions of their harvest to various deities, often driven by superstition or a desire to appease gods for fertility and prosperity. However, Israel's "heave offering" was profoundly distinct; it was an act of worship rooted in their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, who had miraculously delivered them from slavery in Egypt and was now bringing them into a land of their own. The "bread of the land" refers to the staple agricultural products—primarily grain, but also wine and oil—that would sustain them in Canaan, a land explicitly promised to be "flowing with milk and honey," as described in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey"). This command, given while they were still entirely dependent on manna in the wilderness, served a crucial pedagogical and spiritual purpose: it prepared them psychologically and spiritually for a life of settled agriculture, ensuring that even amidst future prosperity, they would remember that God, not human effort alone, remained the ultimate source of their provision and blessing.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 15:19 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. It powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Provision and Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, even after Israel's significant rebellion. By preparing them for the abundance of the land He would give them, it highlights God's steadfastness, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 8:7-9](/deuteronomy/8-7-9 "Deuteronomy 8:7-9 - Description of the Good Land"). The command also highlights the principle of **Firstfruits and Consecration**, teaching Israel to acknowledge God's sovereignty over all their blessings by offering the first and best of their produce. This practice was foundational to their worship and indicative of their trust, a principle later articulated in [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9-10 "Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the Lord with Your Wealth"). Furthermore, it reinforces **Gratitude and Obedience** as essential components of their covenant relationship, ensuring that future prosperity would not lead to forgetfulness of God but to continuous acts of worship and remembrance of the One who brought them into the land and sustained them, a critical warning often repeated throughout the book of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/8 "Deuteronomy 8 - Warnings Against Forgetting God in Prosperity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_ H3899):** From the root meaning "to fight" (perhaps via the idea of "food for sustenance in battle"), this word refers to food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it). In Numbers 15:19, "bread" (`lechem`) signifies the staple agricultural product that would sustain the Israelites in the Promised Land, contrasting with the manna of the wilderness. It represents the very sustenance derived from the land, emphasizing God's provision through the earth's bounty.
* **Land (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_ H776):** This term refers to the earth at large, or more specifically, a particular land or country. In this context, "the land" (`hā’āreṣ`) specifically denotes the Promised Land of Canaan, which God was bringing Israel into. Its inclusion underscores that the command is tied to their future settled existence and agricultural life in the territory divinely allocated to them, highlighting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise of a homeland.
* **Offer up (Hebrew, _rûwm'_ H7311):** A primitive root meaning "to be high actively," "to rise or raise," or "to lift up." This verb describes the physical action of elevating a portion of the harvest as a sacred act. The "heave offering" (`tᵉrûwmâh`) derives directly from this verb, indicating something that is "lifted up" or "set apart" for God. It symbolizes the consecration of a portion of their produce, acknowledging God's ultimate ownership and their dependence upon Him.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_ H3068):** This is the personal, covenantal name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," meaning "the self-Existent or Eternal One." The offering is explicitly directed "unto the LORD," emphasizing that this is not merely a cultural custom or a tax, but an act of worship and devotion to the specific God who delivered Israel and was bringing them into the land. It underscores the covenantal nature of the command and the personal relationship between God and His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land":** This opening clause establishes the future context and condition for the command. "Then it shall be" (וְהָיָה כִּי) indicates a future certainty, specifically tied to the Israelites' successful entry into and settlement within Canaan. The phrase "when ye eat of the bread of the land" signifies their transition from a nomadic, manna-dependent existence to a settled, agricultural life, enjoying the produce of their own fields. It emphasizes the moment of consumption, implying that the offering is a prerequisite to enjoying God's provision.
* **"ye shall offer up a heave offering":** This is the core command. The verb "offer up" (תָּרִימוּ), from the root *rûwm*, literally means "you shall lift up" or "you shall set apart." This action was a physical demonstration of consecration, elevating a portion of their produce to God. The "heave offering" (terumah) was a specific type of offering, distinct from burnt offerings or sin offerings, designated for the priests, symbolizing the people's recognition of God's ownership over the land and its bounty, and their support for the priestly service that mediated their relationship with God.
* **"unto the LORD":** This final phrase specifies the ultimate recipient and purpose of the offering. It was not merely a tax or a cultural custom, but an act of worship directed specifically "unto Yahweh," the covenant God of Israel. This underscores the theological nature of the command: the offering was an expression of devotion, gratitude, and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and proprietorship over all creation and their lives.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 15:19 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and impact. The primary device is **Command**, expressed through the imperative "ye shall offer up," which highlights the divine authority behind the instruction and its non-negotiable nature for the Israelites' future life in the land. This direct address underscores God's sovereignty and the people's expected obedience. This verse also utilizes **Anticipation** or **Foreshadowing**, as it is given while the Israelites are still in the wilderness, looking forward to a time when they will "eat of the bread of the land." This prophetic element serves to reinforce God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises despite Israel's recent rebellion, assuring them of their eventual settlement and prosperity. Furthermore, the "heave offering" itself functions as **Symbolism**. The physical act of "lifting up" a portion of the harvest symbolizes the elevation of God above all earthly possessions, acknowledging His ultimate ownership and the people's complete dependence. It is a tangible symbol of gratitude, consecration, and covenant remembrance, transforming a mundane agricultural act into a sacred ritual that continually points back to the divine Giver.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 15:19 establishes a profound theological principle: all provision ultimately originates from God, and therefore, a portion of our blessings is to be returned to Him in worship and acknowledgment. This command transcends a mere agricultural regulation, serving as a perpetual reminder of God's covenant faithfulness in bringing Israel into the land and sustaining them. It teaches that true prosperity is not merely about abundance, but about recognizing the Giver and living in grateful dependence. The offering also supported the Levitical priesthood, demonstrating a divine economy where the spiritual leaders were sustained by the people's obedience, fostering a community dependent on God and each other. This act of giving from the "first of their dough" instilled a habit of prioritizing God and acknowledging His sovereignty over every aspect of their lives, from the daily bread to the national identity, ensuring that their future abundance would deepen, not diminish, their devotion.

* [Deuteronomy 26:1-11](/deuteronomy/26-1-11 "Deuteronomy 26:1-11 - Offering of Firstfruits")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9-10 "Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the Lord with Your Wealth")
* [Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - Bring the Whole Tithe")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 15:19 offers timeless wisdom for believers today, transcending its specific Old Testament context to speak to the heart of our relationship with God. It calls us to cultivate a profound spirit of gratitude, recognizing that every good and perfect gift, whether material, relational, or spiritual, comes from our Heavenly Father. This verse challenges us to move beyond a transactional view of blessings to one of deep appreciation and acknowledgment of God's unwavering provision and faithfulness in our lives. It encourages a lifestyle of generosity, where giving back to God, whether through our finances, time, talents, or resources, is not seen as a burden but as a joyful act of worship and an affirmation of His sovereignty. Furthermore, it reminds us that true spiritual maturity involves remembering God not just in times of need, but especially in times of abundance, ensuring that prosperity does not lead to self-sufficiency but to deeper dependence and devotion. It prompts us to consider how our daily consumption and enjoyment of God's provision can be transformed into acts of worship and remembrance, ensuring that our hearts remain fixed on the Giver, not merely the gifts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God as the ultimate provider of "the bread of the land" impact my daily gratitude and perspective on my resources?**
* **In what practical ways can I "offer up a heave offering unto the LORD" in my contemporary context, beyond financial giving?**
* **How can I cultivate a habit of remembering God's provision and faithfulness, especially when I experience abundance or success, to avoid spiritual complacency?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the "heave offering" (terumah) in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the "heave offering" was multifaceted: it served as a tangible expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over the land and its produce; it was a means of financially supporting the Levitical priesthood, who had no tribal land inheritance but were dedicated to serving God and the community (see [Numbers 18:8-12](/numbers/18-8-12 "Numbers 18:8-12 - Priests' Share of Offerings")); and it was a perpetual reminder for the Israelites of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, ensuring that even in prosperity, they would not forget the source of their blessings.

**Is the command to offer a "heave offering" still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: While the specific ritual of the "heave offering" from agricultural produce is not literally practiced by Christians today, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant. The command embodies timeless truths about God's provision, the importance of gratitude, the principle of giving the "firstfruits" (the best and earliest) to God, and the responsibility to support those who minister spiritually. Believers are called to acknowledge God as the source of all blessings, to live with a spirit of thanksgiving, and to generously support the work of the church and ministry, as taught in passages like [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2-corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - Cheerful Giving") and [Galatians 6:6](/galatians/6-6 "Galatians 6:6 - Share with Your Teacher"). It encourages a lifestyle of recognizing God's ownership over all we possess and responding with joyful obedience and generosity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 15:19, with its emphasis on offering the "bread of the land" to the LORD, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Israelites offered a portion of their physical sustenance, Jesus declared Himself to be the "bread of life" who came down from heaven ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). He is the true provision, not merely for physical hunger but for eternal spiritual life, offering Himself as the ultimate "heave offering"—lifted up on the cross—to God for the sins of the world ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Just as the Old Testament offering acknowledged God's ownership and provision, Christ's sacrifice fully consecrated humanity back to God, establishing a new covenant where believers are invited to partake of Him, the living bread, and offer their lives as living sacrifices in response to His ultimate provision ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). Thus, the ancient command to give from the firstfruits of the land points forward to the perfect, once-for-all offering of Christ, through whom all blessings flow and to whom all gratitude is eternally due, transforming the physical act into a spiritual reality of communion and worship.

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

Joshua 5:11

And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched [corn] in the selfsame day.

Joshua 5:12

And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.