Numbers 18:30

Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.

Therefore thou shalt say {H559} unto them, When ye have heaved {H7311} the best {H2459} thereof from it, then it shall be counted {H2803} unto the Levites {H3881} as the increase {H8393} of the threshingfloor {H1637}, and as the increase {H8393} of the winepress {H3342}.

"Therefore you are to tell them, 'When you set aside from it its best part, it will be accounted to the L'vi'im as if it were grain from the threshing-floor and grape juice from the wine vat.

Therefore say to the Levites, ‘When you have presented the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress.

Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye heave the best thereof from it, then it shall be reckoned unto the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor, and as the increase of the winepress.

Commentary

Numbers 18:30 is a specific instruction within God's detailed provision for the priests and Levites who served in the Tabernacle. It clarifies the Levites' responsibility to offer a portion of the tithes they received from the Israelites back to the Lord, to be given to the priests.

Context

This verse is part of a larger chapter in the Book of Numbers that outlines the duties and provisions for the Aaronic priesthood and the Levites. After delineating that the Levites would receive the tithes from all the children of Israel for their service in the Tabernacle (Numbers 18:21-24), God then instructs the Levites themselves to give a "heave offering" from these tithes to Aaron, the high priest, and his descendants. This particular offering is often referred to as the "tithe of the tithe." The immediate preceding verses (Numbers 18:26-29) command the Levites to offer "the tenth part of the tithe" they received. Verse 30 confirms that this offering, given by the Levites from their portion, would be considered as holy and acceptable as the direct agricultural produce (grain and wine) offered by the Israelites.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Support: God establishes a comprehensive system to ensure that those dedicated to His service, the Levites and priests, are sustained.
  • Stewardship and Accountability: The Levites, though recipients of tithes, were not merely consumers but also stewards. They were required to acknowledge God's ultimate ownership by offering a portion of what they received back to Him. This principle applies to all who are blessed by God.
  • Holiness and Acceptable Offering: The phrase "it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress" emphasizes that their offering, derived from another offering, was fully recognized and accepted by God as a legitimate act of worship and dedication. It had the same spiritual value as the direct agricultural tithes given by the common Israelite.
  • Giving the Best: The instruction to "heave the best thereof" underscores the importance of offering a quality portion, not merely a token or leftover. This aligns with the broader biblical principle of giving God our firstfruits and choicest offerings, as seen in Proverbs 3:9.

Linguistic Insights

The term "heaved" comes from the Hebrew word terumah (תְּרוּמָה), which refers to a "heave offering" or "contribution." It implies lifting up an offering to God, signifying dedication and separation for sacred use. The "increase of the threshingfloor" (goren) and "increase of the winepress" (yeqev) are direct references to the primary agricultural produce of Israel—grain and wine—from which the initial tithes were gathered. By equating the Levites' offering with these, the text affirms its equivalent value and holiness in God's sight.

Practical Application

Numbers 18:30 offers timeless principles for believers today. It teaches us that:

  • Giving is for Everyone: No one is exempt from the principle of giving back to God from what they have received, regardless of their role or source of income. Even those who serve in ministry are called to be givers.
  • Quality Matters: Our offerings to God should be our "best," reflecting a heart of reverence and gratitude, not merely convenience or obligation.
  • God Values Our Stewardship: When we faithfully manage and return a portion of our blessings to God, He counts it as true and acceptable worship, just as He did for the Levites' "tithe of the tithe." This echoes New Testament principles of supporting those who minister the gospel, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:14.
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

  • Proverbs 3:9

    Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

  • Proverbs 3:10

    So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

  • Matthew 6:33

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • Numbers 18:27

    And [this] your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though [it were] the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.

  • Numbers 18:28

    Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest.

  • Philippians 3:8

    Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

  • Philippians 3:9

    ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
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