Numbers 5:9

KJV

And every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring unto the priest, shall be his.

KJV (with Strong's)

And every offering {H8641} of all the holy things {H6944} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, which they bring {H7126} unto the priest {H3548}, shall be his.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Every contribution which the people of Isra'el consecrate and present to the cohen will belong to him.

Berean Standard Bible

Every sacred contribution the Israelites bring to the priest shall belong to him.

American Standard Version

And every heave-offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they present unto the priest, shall be his.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:9 delineates a crucial aspect of the divine economy for ancient Israel, stipulating that specific "holy things" – consecrated offerings brought by the Israelites to the Tabernacle priest – were to become the priest's rightful possession. This provision underscores God's meticulous plan for the sustenance of the Levitical priesthood, ensuring that those consecrated to sacred service were materially supported through the contributions of the community, enabling their full devotion to their divinely appointed duties within the sacrificial and worship system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5 opens with stringent directives concerning the purity of the Israelite camp, commanding the expulsion of those defiled by leprosy, discharge, or contact with the dead ([Numbers 5:1-4](/numbers/5-1 "Numbers 5:1-4 - Purity of the Camp")). This emphasis on holiness and separation continues with laws regarding restitution for wrongs committed, particularly when the wronged party has no next of kin to receive compensation ([Numbers 5:5-8](/numbers/5-5 "Numbers 5:5-8 - Law of Restitution")). It is within this specific context of restitution, where the payment for a wrong committed against God's holy standards must be made, that Numbers 5:9-10 serves as an interjection. These verses clarify that any restitution or consecrated offering for which there is no human recipient, or which is specifically designated as "holy," is to be given to the priest. This interjection highlights that even in matters of civil justice and personal atonement, the divine order ensures the sustenance of those who mediate between God and His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Israelite society was structured around twelve tribes, each allocated a specific inheritance of land for sustenance and dwelling. However, the tribe of Levi, from which the priests (the sons of Aaron) were drawn, received no such territorial inheritance ([Numbers 18:20-24](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20-24 - The Levites' Portion")). Their inheritance was Yahweh Himself, and their livelihood was divinely ordained to come from the offerings, tithes, and firstfruits brought by the other tribes to the Tabernacle. This system was not merely a practical arrangement but a theological statement: the priests were to be wholly devoted to their sacred duties, unburdened by agricultural or land management concerns. Their sustenance from the "holy things" underscored their unique, consecrated status and their role as perpetual servants of God and mediators for the people. This principle of priestly provision is foundational to understanding the economic and spiritual life of Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, ensuring the continuous operation of the Tabernacle and its sacrificial system.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Offering (Hebrew, _tĕrûmâ'_):** This term specifically refers to a "heave offering" or a "contribution." It denotes something "lifted up" or "set apart" from the general mass, not merely a voluntary gift but a portion designated by divine law for sacred purposes. It implies a separation from the common for the holy, signifying its obligatory and consecrated nature.
* **Holy things (Hebrew, _qōdeš'_):** This plural noun signifies items that are "set apart," "consecrated," or "sacred." In the context of the Mosaic Law, "holy things" are those dedicated exclusively to God, removed from common use, and often associated with the Tabernacle, its rituals, or vows. Their holiness is intrinsic, derived from their dedication to the Lord, and by His decree, they become the portion of His consecrated servants, the priests.
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kōhēn'_):** Referring specifically to the sons of Aaron, the priests were divinely appointed intermediaries between God and Israel. Their duties included officiating sacrifices, maintaining the Tabernacle, teaching the Law, and discerning God's will. Their unique role necessitated a distinct means of support, as they were to be wholly devoted to their service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And every offering":** This refers to any contribution or portion that has been "heaved" or "set apart" for God, indicating a specific type of sacred gift, not just any general donation.
* **"of all the holy things":** This clarifies the nature of the "offering" – it must be something consecrated, set apart for God's exclusive use, whether through a vow, a restitution, or a specific command. It emphasizes the sacred character of the items being given.
* **"of the children of Israel, which they bring unto the priest":** This identifies the source (the people of Israel) and the recipient (the priest). It highlights the people's responsibility to bring these consecrated items to the designated minister of God.
* **"shall be his":** This definitive statement declares the legal and divine ownership. Once brought to the priest, these holy things become the priest's personal property, intended for his sustenance and that of his household. It establishes the divine provision for the priestly ministry.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:9 functions primarily as a **Legal Pronouncement** and a **Divine Decree**. It is a clear, unambiguous statement of law, establishing a specific right and provision within the Mosaic Covenant. The brevity and directness of the verse lend it an authoritative tone, characteristic of legal statutes in the Pentateuch. There is also an element of **Provision** at play, as the verse outlines God's method for sustaining His chosen ministers. The phrase "holy things" employs **Symbolism**, representing not just material possessions but items imbued with sacredness due to their dedication to God, thereby transferring that sacredness, in a sense, to the priests who receive them. This reinforces the idea that the priests' lives and sustenance are intimately tied to the sacred realm.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:9 powerfully illustrates God's meticulous care for His servants and the sacred nature of consecrated giving. It establishes the principle that those dedicated to full-time ministry should be supported by the community they serve, allowing them to devote themselves entirely to their sacred calling without distraction. This divine provision for the priesthood was not merely a practical arrangement but a theological statement about God's faithfulness to those who serve Him and the people's responsibility to honor God through their contributions. The "holy things" represent a tangible expression of Israel's worship and obedience, flowing back to support the very ministry that facilitated their relationship with God. This verse underscores the interconnectedness of worship, giving, and ministry within God's covenantal framework.

* [Numbers 18:8](/numbers/18-8 "Numbers 18:8 - The Priests' Portion of Offerings")
* [Deuteronomy 18:1-5](/deuteronomy/18-1 "Deuteronomy 18:1-5 - The Priests' and Levites' Share")
* [1 Corinthians 9:13-14](/1_corinthians/9-13 "1 Corinthians 9:13-14 - Support for Ministers of the Gospel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 5:9, though rooted in the specific context of the Old Testament sacrificial system, offers enduring principles for believers today. It reminds us that God is deeply concerned with the well-being of those He calls into full-time ministry, establishing a divine pattern for their support. This provision ensures that spiritual leaders can devote themselves wholeheartedly to prayer, the study of God's Word, and the care of His flock, unburdened by the need to seek secular employment for sustenance. For the church today, this translates into a call for generous and consistent support for pastors, missionaries, and other vocational ministers. Our giving, when offered with a consecrated heart, becomes a "holy thing" that enables the ongoing work of the Gospel, reflecting our obedience and trust in God's provision. It fosters a healthy interdependence within the body of Christ, where those who minister are supported by those who benefit from their ministry, creating a cycle of blessing and spiritual growth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of priestly provision in Numbers 5:9 challenge or affirm my understanding of supporting spiritual leadership in the church today?**
* **In what ways can my contributions to God's work be considered "holy things" that enable ministry?**
* **How does God's faithfulness in providing for the priests encourage my own trust in His provision for my life and calling?**

### FAQ
**What exactly are "holy things" in this context?**

Answer: In the context of Numbers 5:9, "holy things" (Hebrew: *qōdeš*) refers to items that have been consecrated or set apart for God. This could include various offerings, such as restitution payments where there was no next of kin to receive them, or other items dedicated to the Lord through vows or specific commands. These items were considered sacred because they were removed from common use and designated for divine purposes, and by God's decree, they became the portion of the priests for their sustenance. This concept is further elaborated in passages like [Leviticus 27](/leviticus/27 "Leviticus 27 - Laws Concerning Vows and Dedications") which deals with vows and dedicated things.

**Why did the priests receive these offerings instead of having their own land?**

Answer: The tribe of Levi, from which the priests (the sons of Aaron) were drawn, did not receive a territorial land inheritance like the other tribes of Israel ([Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance")). This was a deliberate divine arrangement designed to ensure their full devotion to their sacred duties in the Tabernacle. By receiving their sustenance directly from the offerings of the people, the priests were freed from agricultural labor or other secular pursuits, allowing them to concentrate entirely on serving God and mediating for the people. This system underscored their unique, consecrated status and their complete reliance on God's provision through the community.

**Is the principle of Numbers 5:9 still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: While the specific sacrificial system and the Levitical priesthood have been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principle of supporting those who minister God's Word remains highly relevant. The New Testament affirms this principle, stating that "those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" ([1 Corinthians 9:14](/1_corinthians/9-14 "1 Corinthians 9:14 - Support for Gospel Ministers")). Just as the ancient priests were sustained by the offerings of the people, so too are pastors, missionaries, and other vocational ministers in the church today to be supported by the body of believers, enabling them to devote themselves fully to their calling without distraction. Our giving to the church and to ministry is seen as a "holy thing" that enables the spread of God's truth and the spiritual nourishment of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 5:9, with its emphasis on the divine provision for the Levitical priesthood through "holy things," finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. The Old Testament system, including the priests and their sustenance from offerings, served as a shadow of the perfect reality to come ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow")). Jesus Christ is the ultimate "holy thing," the Lamb of God who offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, consecrating Himself completely to God's will ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). He is also our Great High Priest, who does not need offerings for Himself, but rather offered Himself for us ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"); [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). Through His finished work, believers are now part of a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good works ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Works")). The principle of supporting those who minister God's Word continues in the New Covenant, not for a Levitical priesthood, but for those who faithfully proclaim the Gospel, allowing them to devote themselves fully to building up the body of Christ and extending His kingdom, just as Christ Himself devoted His life to fulfilling God's mission ([1 Corinthians 9:14](/1_corinthians/9-14 "1 Corinthians 9:14 - Support for Gospel Ministers"); [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Thus, the "holy things" now are our lives, resources, and gifts consecrated to Christ, supporting His ongoing work through His church in the world.

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

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.

Leviticus 6:17

It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it [unto them for] their portion of my offerings made by fire; it [is] most holy, as [is] the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.

Leviticus 6:18

All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. [It shall be] a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.

Deuteronomy 18:3

And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether [it be] ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.

Deuteronomy 18:4

The firstfruit [also] of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.

Numbers 18:19

All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it [is] a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

Leviticus 7:6

Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it [is] most holy.