or מַעֲשַׂר; and (in plural) feminine מַעַשְׂרָה; from עָשָׂר; a tenth; especially a tithe; tenth (part), tithe(-ing).
Transliteration:maʻăsêr
Pronunciation:mah-as-ayr'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma מַעֲשֵׂר (maʻăsêr), transliterated as *maʻăsêr*, denotes "a tenth" or, more specifically, "a tithe." It is directly derived from the root עָשָׂר (asar) `{{H6238}}`, meaning "ten." The noun form מַעֲשֵׂר refers to the portion itself, precisely one-tenth of a whole. Its semantic range is tightly focused on this numerical and theological concept, primarily in the context of religious giving and obligation within ancient Israel. While typically masculine singular, it can also appear in plural forms, including a feminine plural (מַעַשְׂרָה), without altering its core meaning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The concept of מַעֲשֵׂר appears throughout the Old Testament, evolving in its legal and practical application:
* **Pre-Mosaic Practice:** The first mention occurs in [[Genesis 14:20]], where Abraham gives Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, "a tenth of everything." This voluntary act predates the Mosaic Law, suggesting an ancient recognition of divine claim on a portion of one's possessions. Similarly, Jacob vows to give God a tenth of all he receives if God protects him ([[Genesis 28:22]]).
* **Mosaic Law - General Principle:** [[Leviticus 27:30-32]] establishes the fundamental principle: "All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD." This passage extends the tithe to livestock as well, emphasizing its sacred nature and divine ownership.
* **Support for Levites and Priests:** [[Numbers 18:21-28]] details the primary purpose of the tithe: it was given to the Levites as their inheritance for their service in the Tent of Meeting, as they received no territorial inheritance in the land. The Levites, in turn, were commanded to give a "tithe of the tithe" (a tenth of what they received) to the priests, the descendants of Aaron, as a heave offering to the LORD. This established a structured system for supporting the religious functionaries.
* **Deuteronomic Tithes and Social Welfare:** [[Deuteronomy 14:22-29]] introduces nuances regarding the tithe. A "second tithe" was to be brought to Jerusalem annually and consumed by the worshiper and their household in a sacred feast before the LORD, or converted to money and spent on whatever they desired in Jerusalem. Every third year, this tithe was designated as the "tithe of the third year" or "tithe of the poor" ([[Deuteronomy 26:12]]), to be stored within the gates of the towns and given to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, highlighting the tithe's role in social welfare and care for the vulnerable.
* **Post-Exilic Renewal and Rebuke:** After the exile, Nehemiah records the people's renewed commitment to bringing tithes and offerings to the temple storehouses to support the priests and Levites ([[Nehemiah 10:37-38]], [[Nehemiah 12:44]], [[Nehemiah 13:12]]). In stark contrast, the prophet Malachi delivers a severe rebuke for the people's failure to bring the full tithes and offerings, accusing them of "robbing God" ([[Malachi 3:8-10]]). This passage powerfully links obedience in tithing to divine blessing and withholding to a curse, underscoring its spiritual weight.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term מַעֲשֵׂר is intrinsically linked to several related biblical concepts:
* **עָשָׂר (asar) `{{H6238}}`:** The cardinal number "ten," the root from which מַעֲשֵׂר is derived, emphasizing the precise numerical proportion.
* **תְּרוּמָה (terumah) `{{H8641}}`:** "Heave offering" or "contribution." While מַעֲשֵׂר is a specific type of offering, תְּרוּמָה is a broader term for various sacred contributions, often lifted up or set apart.
* **בִּכּוּרִים (bikkurim) `{{H1061}}`:** "Firstfruits." These were distinct from tithes, representing the very first produce of the harvest, offered to God before the main harvest. Both מַעֲשֵׂר and בִּכּוּרִים acknowledge God's sovereignty and provision but are separate commandments.
* **קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) `{{H6944}}`:** "Holiness" or "sacredness." The tithe is repeatedly described as "holy to the LORD" ([[Leviticus 27:30]]), signifying its consecrated status and its being set apart for divine purposes.
* **Levites and Priests:** The Levites, who had no land inheritance, and the priests (Aaronites) were the primary recipients of the tithe, highlighting the integral role of מַעֲשֵׂר in sustaining the religious and cultic life of Israel.
### Theological Significance
The מַעֲשֵׂר holds profound theological significance within the biblical narrative:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Ownership:** At its core, the tithe serves as a tangible acknowledgment that God is the ultimate owner of all things ([[Psalm 24:1]]). Giving a tenth is not merely a donation but a recognition that all possessions, resources, and life itself originate from Him and ultimately belong to Him. It is a return of what is already His, an act of worship and submission.
* **Covenant Obedience and Faithfulness:** As an explicit command within the Mosaic covenant, tithing was a test and demonstration of Israel's obedience and faithfulness to God. Adherence to this command signified trust in God's provision and commitment to the covenant relationship. Conversely, withholding tithes was seen as a breach of covenant, a form of spiritual theft from God Himself ([[Malachi 3:8]]).
* **Support for Ministry and Social Justice:** The tithe provided the practical means for the Levites and priests to fulfill their sacred duties without needing to engage in secular labor. It also served as a crucial social welfare system, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society—the poor, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow—were cared for, reflecting God's compassionate character and ethical demands on His people.
* **Blessing and Curse:** The prophetic message in [[Malachi 3:8-10]] powerfully articulates the principle of reciprocity: faithfulness in bringing the full tithe was promised to open "the windows of heaven" and pour out abundant blessing, while unfaithfulness invited a curse. This underscores the spiritual consequences tied to this act of obedience.
* **Consecration and Gratitude:** The act of tithing was an act of consecration, setting apart a portion as holy to the LORD. It fostered a posture of gratitude for God's provision and a constant reminder of dependence on Him.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַעֲשֵׂר (maʻăsêr) precisely denotes "a tenth" or "tithe," derived from the root עָשָׂר `{{H6238}}` meaning "ten." While first appearing in Abraham's voluntary offering to Melchizedek ([[Genesis 14:20]]), it became a mandatory and meticulously regulated obligation under the Mosaic Law. Its primary functions were to acknowledge God's ultimate ownership of all resources ([[Leviticus 27:30]]), to provide sustenance for the Levites and priests who served in the Tabernacle/Temple ([[Numbers 18:21-28]]), and to ensure the welfare of the poor and vulnerable within the community ([[Deuteronomy 14:28-29]]). Theologically, מַעֲשֵׂר served as a tangible expression of covenant obedience and faithfulness, a means of supporting the divinely ordained ministry, and a practical demonstration of social justice. The prophetic warning in [[Malachi 3:8-10]] underscores its profound spiritual significance, linking faithfulness in tithing to divine blessing and unfaithfulness to a curse, thereby revealing its central role in the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
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