Numbers 18:18

And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine.

And the flesh {H1320} of them shall be thine, as the wave {H8573} breast {H2373} and as the right {H3225} shoulder {H7785} are thine.

Their meat will be yours, like the breast that is waved and the right thigh - they will be yours.

And their meat belongs to you, just as the breast and right thigh of the wave offering belong to you.

And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave-breast and as the right thigh, it shall be thine.

Commentary

Commentary on Numbers 18:18

Numbers 18:18 specifies the portions of sacrificial offerings designated for the Israelite priests, Aaron and his descendants. This verse underscores God's meticulous provision for those consecrated to His service in the Tabernacle.

Context of Numbers 18

The eighteenth chapter of Numbers details the responsibilities and privileges of the Levitical tribe, particularly the priestly family of Aaron. Having no tribal land inheritance like the other tribes, the Lord ordained that the priests and Levites would receive their sustenance directly from the offerings and tithes of the people. This arrangement ensured their full-time devotion to their sacred duties without the need to engage in agriculture or other trades. Verses 8-19 specifically outline the various "holy gifts" and "heave offerings" that were to be the priests' perpetual due, emphasizing that these provisions were a covenant of salt, signifying an unbreakable and enduring agreement. This verse, Numbers 18:18, reiterates the entitlement to specific parts of certain sacrifices.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision for Ministry: The verse highlights God's faithfulness in providing for His servants. Just as He called Aaron's lineage to a unique ministry, He also guaranteed their sustenance through the offerings of the people. This principle is foundational to understanding God's care for those dedicated to His work, a theme echoed later in the New Testament concerning support for ministers (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).
  • Sacred Distinction of the Priesthood: The specific portions allocated to the priests underscored their unique and holy role. They were set apart, and even their food was distinct, coming directly from the offerings made to God. The phrase "flesh of them" refers to the parts of certain sin and trespass offerings that were not entirely consumed by fire on the altar but were given to the priests to eat in a holy place (Leviticus 6:26, Leviticus 7:6).
  • Specific Laws of Sacrifice: The "wave breast" and "right shoulder" (or "heave shoulder") were ritualistically presented parts of the peace offering, specifically commanded to be given to the priests (Leviticus 7:34). The waving symbolized presentation before the Lord, and the heave offering indicated being lifted up to God. These parts were considered the priests' permanent share, as also noted in Numbers 18:11.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "wave breast" (Hebrew: chazeh hat-tenufah) and "right shoulder" (Hebrew: shoq hat-terumah, often translated as "heave shoulder") refer to specific ritual actions and portions. The "waving" (tenufah) involved a horizontal motion of the offering before the Lord, symbolizing its presentation and dedication. The "heaving" (terumah) involved lifting the offering upwards, also signifying its dedication to God. These actions were integral to the sacrificial system, emphasizing that these portions were not merely gifts from the people but consecrated items given by God to His priests.

Practical Application

While the specific sacrificial system of the Old Covenant no longer applies to believers today, the principles embedded in Numbers 18:18 remain relevant.

  • Support for Ministry: The concept of providing for those who serve God's people is a timeless biblical principle. Just as the priests were supported by the offerings, so too are Christian ministers and ministries often supported by the voluntary contributions of believers, enabling them to devote themselves fully to spiritual service.
  • Stewardship and Generosity: This verse reminds us of the importance of generosity and faithful stewardship. The people of Israel were commanded to bring their offerings, from which the priests received their share. This teaches us that our giving to God's work is a form of worship and obedience, contributing to the health and outreach of the spiritual community.
  • God's Faithfulness: Ultimately, this passage is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant and His servants. He provides for His people and ensures that those who dedicate their lives to Him are sustained, demonstrating His meticulous care for every detail of His kingdom.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Leviticus 7:31

    And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.

  • 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.

  • Exodus 29:26

    And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it [for] a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.

  • 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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