Numbers 18:13
[And] whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat [of] it.
And whatsoever is first ripe {H1061} in the land {H776}, which they shall bring {H935} unto the LORD {H3068}, shall be thine; every one that is clean {H2889} in thine house {H1004} shall eat {H398} of it.
The first produce to turn ripe of all that is in their land, which they bring to ADONAI, is to be yours; every clean person in your family may eat it.
The firstfruits of everything in their land that they bring to the LORD will belong to you. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat them.
The first-ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring unto Jehovah, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thy house shall eat thereof.
Cross-References
-
Exodus 22:29
Thou shalt not delay [to offer] the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. -
Micah 7:1
ΒΆ Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: [there is] no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. -
Hosea 9:10
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: [but] they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto [that] shame; and [their] abominations were according as they loved. -
Exodus 23:19
The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk. -
Jeremiah 24:2
One basket [had] very good figs, [even] like the figs [that are] first ripe: and the other basket [had] very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.
Commentary
Numbers 18:13 details a specific provision for the Aaronic priesthood, outlining what they were entitled to receive as part of their divine support. This verse emphasizes the practice of bringing the first and best of the land's produce as an offering to the LORD, which would then be allocated to the priests and their families for sustenance.
Context
This verse is part of a larger passage in Numbers 18, where God establishes the duties and privileges of the Levites and, more specifically, the priests (descendants of Aaron). Following the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, God re-emphasizes the unique and holy role of the priesthood. Chapters 18 outlines their responsibilities concerning the Tabernacle and their designated portions from the offerings of the Israelites. This system ensured that those dedicated to serving God's sanctuary were adequately provided for, allowing them to focus entirely on their sacred duties. This particular verse focuses on the "firstfruits" – the initial yield of crops – which were considered especially holy and designated for the priests, as seen in the broader laws concerning offerings (Numbers 18:8).
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew term for "first ripe" is reshit (Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧ©Φ΄ΧΧΧͺ), which often means "first," "beginning," or "choicest part." It signifies not just chronological priority but also qualitative excellence. The term "clean" is tahor (ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ¨), referring to ceremonial purity, a state required by Mosaic Law to avoid defiling holy things or entering God's presence.
Practical Application
Numbers 18:13 offers timeless principles for believers today:
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.