Números 18

Números 18

Morris - A "covenant of salt" was understood in ancient nations to be permanent and unbreakable. This covenant was ratified by a meal seasoned with salt and shared by the two parties. Salt was considered to be a very valuable and significant component of the meal. When God was one of the parties, the food was first sacrificed to Him (Leviticus 2:13; Numbers 18:19). Spurgeon on the covenant of salt: "By which was meant that it was an unchangeable, incorruptible covenant, which would endure as salt makes a thing to endure, so that it is not liable to putrefy or corrupt." Everlasting (05769) see olam Covenant (01285)(berit/berith/beriyth) means covenant, treaty, compact, agreement between two parties (first use in God's covenant with Noah - Ge 6:18, Ge 9:9, 11-13, 15-17). Covenant is a solemn, binding arrangement between two parties and entails a variety of responsibilities, benefits and penalties depending on the specific covenant which is being studied. OT covenants were made between God and man (eg, God with Noah - Ge 6:18, with Abram - Ge 15:18) or between men (Abraham and Abimelech - Ge 21:27, Isaac and Abimelech - Ge 26:28, Jacob and Laban - Ge 31:44) For summary of covenants see - Covenant in the Bible. Question: What is a salt covenant? Answer: There is more to salt than meets the taste buds. Salt has been used in many cultures as a valuable commodity. The word salary comes from an ancient word meaning “salt-money,” referring to a Roman soldier’s allowance for the purchase of salt. Someone who earns his pay is still said to be “worth his salt.” Salt has also been used to express promises and friendship between people. It was even considered by the Greeks to be divine. Today in many Arab cultures, if two men partake of salt together they are sworn to protect one another—even if they had previously been enemies. In some cultures, people throw salt over their shoulders when they make a promise. Who knew sodium chloride was so important? In the ancient world, ingesting salt was a way to make an agreement legally binding. If two parties entered into an agreement, they would eat salt together in the presence of witnesses, and that act would bind their contract. King Abijah’s speech in 2 Chronicles 13:5 mentions just such a salt covenant: “Don’t you know that the LORD, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?” Here, Abijah refers to the strong, legally binding promise of God to give Israel to David and his sons forever. The Old Testament Law commands the use of salt in all grain offerings and makes clear that the “salt of the covenant” should not be missing from the grain offerings (Leviticus 2:13). Since the Levitical priests did not have land of their own, God promised to provide for them via the sacrifices of the people, and He called this promise of provision a “salt covenant” (Numbers 18:19). Salt has always been known for its preservative properties, and it is also possible that God instructed the use of salt so that the meat would last longer and taste better—and thus be of more value to the priests who depended upon it for their daily food. The idea of a salt covenant carries a great deal of meaning because of the value of salt. Today, salt is easy to come by in our culture, and we don’t necessarily need it as a preservative because of refrigeration. But to the people of Jesus’ day, salt was an important and precious commodity. So, when Jesus told His disciples that they were “the salt of the earth,” He meant that believers have value in this world and are to have a preserving influence (Matthew 5:13). The salt covenant is never explicitly defined in the Bible, but we can infer from the understanding of salt’s value and the contexts in which a salt covenant is mentioned that it has much to do with the keeping of promises and with God’s good will toward man.GotQuestions.org Numbers 18:20 Then the LORD said to Aaron, "You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel. BGT Numbers 18:20 καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Ααρων ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν οὐ κληρονομήσεις καὶ μερὶς οὐκ ἔσται σοι ἐν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ἐγὼ μερίς σου καὶ κληρονομία σου ἐν μέσῳ τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ NET Numbers 18:20 The LORD spoke to Aaron, "You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion of property among them– I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. NLT Numbers 18:20 And the LORD said to Aaron, "You priests will receive no allotment of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your share and your allotment. ESV Numbers 18:20 And the LORD said to Aaron, "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. NIV Numbers 18:20 The LORD said to Aaron, "You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites. KJV Numbers 18:20 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. YLT Numbers 18:20 And Jehovah saith unto Aaron, 'In their land thou dost not inherit, and a portion thou hast not in their midst: I am thy portion, and thine inheritance in the midst of the sons of Israel; LXE Numbers 18:20 And the Lord said to Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any portion among them; for I am thy portion and thine inheritance in the midst of the children of Israel. ASV Numbers 18:20 And Jehovah said unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any portion among them: I am thy portion and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. CSB Numbers 18:20 The LORD told Aaron, "You will not have an inheritance in their land; there will be no portion among them for you. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. NKJ Numbers 18:20 Then the LORD said to Aaron: "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel. NRS Numbers 18:20 Then the LORD said to Aaron: You shall have no allotment in their land, nor shall you have any share among them; I am your share and your possession among the Israelites. no inheritance: Nu 18:23,24 26:62 De 10:9 12:12 14:27,29 Jos 14:3 I am thy part: De 18:1,2 Jos 13:14,33 14:3 18:7 Ps 16:5 73:26 142:5 La 3:24 Eze 44:28 1Co 3:21-23 Rev 21:3 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries YAHWEH TO BE THE PORTION OF AARONIC PRIESTS Then the LORD said to Aaron, "You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel - It is as if Yahweh saved the best for last -- not the land, but the LORD! Is there even any comparison? That's rhetorical of course! In short, they were to be dependent on the LORD alone for their livelihood, and as stated below the same principle applies to the Levites. "The words portion and inheritance have a chiastic arrangement in this verse to highlight what God is saying." (UBS Handbook). In a word the inheritance of the priests is the BEST! Their ultimate provision to the priests and Levites was the great "I Am" Himself. It is as if Jehovah says to them "I Am" anything and everything you will ever need! This reminds me of Peter's wonderful words Seeing that His divine power has granted (doreomai [from didomi] in perfect tense as above in Nu 18:19) to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge (epignosis speaks of intimate experiential knowledge, not just "head knowledge") of Him (JESUS OUR LORD - 2 Pe 1:2+, cf 2 Pe 3:18+) Who called us by His own glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3+) The truth in this passage reminds me of our portion in Heaven in the LORD so beautifully affirmed by Asaph Ps 73:25-26+ Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. And even now Christ is our life Col 3:4+ When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. And 2 Corinthians 6 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18“And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. Our inheritance... 1 Peter 1:4+ to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, Romans 8:17+ and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Inheritance (possession)(05157)(nahal) means inherit, get possession of, take as a possession. TWOT says it "basically signifies giving or receiving property which is part of a permanent possession and as a result of succession. Sometimes the idea of succession is absent but the "possessing" carries with it a connotation of permanence (e.g. Ex 34:9; Pr 14:18)." THOUGHT - Lxx translates nahal with kleronomeo which in NT is literally, as receiving a possession or gift from someone who has died. Believers now "inherit salvation" (Heb 1:14+) because Someone Sinless died in our place! Thou shalt have: The principal part of what was offered to God was the portion of the priests; who had no inheritance of land in Israel. The Rabbins say, 24 gifts were given to the priests; all of which are expressed in the law. Eight were only eaten in the sanctuary: 1. The flesh of the sin-offering. (Lev 6:25, 26.) 2. The flesh of the trespass-offering. (Lev 7:1, 6.) 3. The peace-offering of the congregation. (Lev 23:19, 20.) 4. The remainder of the sheaf. ( Lev 23:10.) 5. The remnants of the meat-offerings. (Lev 6:16.) 6. The two loaves. (Lev 23:17.) 7. The shew-bread. (Lev 24:9.) 8. The log of oil offered by the leper. (Lev 14:10.) Five they ate only at Jerusalem: 1. The breast and shoulder of the peace-offerings. (Lev 7:31-34.) 2. The heave-offering of confession. (Lev 7:12-14.) 3. The heave-offering of the Nazarite's ram. (Lev 6:17-20.) 4. The firstling. (ch. 18:15.) 5. The first-fruits. (18:13.) Five were due to them only in the land of Israel: 1. The heave-offering of first-fruits. (ver. 12.) 2. Of the tithe. (ver. 28.) 3. The cake. (ch. 15:20.) 4. The first of the fleece. (De 18:4.) 5. The field of possession. (ch. 35.) Five were due both within and without the land: 1. The gifts of slain beasts. (De 18:3.) 2. The redemption of the first-born. (ver. 15.) 3. The lamb for a firstling ass. (Ex 4:20.) 4. That taken by violence from a stranger. (ch. 5:8.) 5. All devoted things. One was from the sanctuary, the skins, etc. (Lev 7:8.) Numbers 18:21 "To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting. UBS Listen, I hereby give to the Levites every tithe that the Israelites present to me. This is in payment for their service in taking care of the Tent of Meeting BGT Numbers 18:21 καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς Λευι ἰδοὺ δέδωκα πᾶν ἐπιδέκατον ἐν Ισραηλ ἐν κλήρῳ ἀντὶ τῶν λειτουργιῶν αὐτῶν ὅσα αὐτοὶ λειτουργοῦσιν λειτουργίαν ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου NET Numbers 18:21 See, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they perform– the service of the tent of meeting. NLT Numbers 18:21 As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel. ESV Numbers 18:21 "To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting, NIV Numbers 18:21 "I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting. KJV Numbers 18:21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. YLT Numbers 18:21 and to the sons of Levi, lo, I have given all the tenth in Israel for inheritance in exchange for their service which they are serving -- the service of the tent of meeting. LXE Numbers 18:21 And, behold, I have given to the sons of Levi every tithe in Israel for an inheritance for their services, whereinsoever they perform ministry in the tabernacle of witness. ASV Numbers 18:21 And unto the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the tent of meeting. CSB Numbers 18:21 "Look, I have given the Levites every tenth in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the work of the tent of meeting. NKJ Numbers 18:21 "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. NRS Numbers 18:21 To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for a possession in return for the service that they perform, the service in the tent of meeting. the tithe : Nu 18:24-26 Lev 27:30-32 De 12:17-19 14:22-29 2Ch 31:5,6,12 Ne 10:37-29 12:44 13:12 service: Nu 18:6 3:7,8 1Co 9:13,14 Ga 6:6 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Leviticus 27:30-32+ ‘Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S; it is holy to the LORD. 31 ‘If, therefore, a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he shall add to it one-fifth of it. 32 ‘For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. UBS Handbook comment - The tithe: with the possible exception of Genesis 14:20, this is the first clear reference to a tithe to the Lord in the Old Testament (unless Jacob’s bargaining position in Gen 28:22 is taken as a kind of tithe). In this verse it refers to that part of what the soil produces (one tenth of the total) that the Israelites dedicated to God as a sign of their gratitude to him. It provided the basic revenue of the priests and Levites serving God in the sanctuary. YAHWEH'S GIFT TO THE LEVITES Numbers 18:21-24 conclude Yahweh's direct communication with Aaron as He summarizes His provision for the Levites. To the sons of Levi, behold - Behold is hinneh (Lxx = idou) which serves to draw attention to what follows. UBS Handbook - The tithe refers to that part of what the soil produced (one tenth of the total) that the Israelites dedicated to the LORD as a sign of their gratitude to him for allowing the earth to produce. It provided the basic revenue for the Levites serving God in the Tabernacle I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting - Given is the Hebrew verb nathan translated in Lxx by didomi which is in the perfect tense indicating a past completed act with enduring (in this case "perpetual") results or effects. Jehovah gives the privilege of serving Him and here we see He recompenses those who serve Him. THOUGHT - This OT shadow is seen in "substance" in the NT in which our benevolent Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph 1:3+). And like the Levites our inheritance is not in land, but in a life a life in Christ and Christ in us! Christ in us the hope of glory (Col 1:27+). Christ who is our life (Col 3:4+). And as if that were not enough, we will be "be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Cor 5:10+, cf Moses in Heb 11:26-27+). And not only that but we are " heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." (Ro 8:17+) How blessed we are! Sinners redeemed by grace and eternally gifted by grace for " in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Eph 2:7+) Thank You dear Father God, precious Son and sweet Holy Spirit. Amen. Tithe (04643)(maaser) means a tenth part or tithe. Maaser is related to the numerical adjective eser (04643) used in 157 passages in the OT most often with the meaning of the number ten. A tithe is 10 percent of one’s grain, fruit, animals, or money (Lev. 27:30–34; Neh. 13:5). The Lxx translates maaser with the adjective epidekatos meaning one in ten (the tenth). Related Resources: What is the difference between tithes and offerings? | GotQuestions.org - Excerpt - "The tithe was a requirement of the Law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the tabernacle/temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). " American Tract Society Tithe Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Tithes Baker Evangelical Dictionary Tithe, Tithing Easton's Bible Dictionary Tithe Fausset Bible Dictionary Tithes Holman Bible Dictionary Tithe Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Tithes Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Tithe Tithes King James Dictionary Tithe Tithing People's Dictionary of the Bible Tithes Smith Bible Dictionary Tithe Vines' Expository Dictionary Tithes Tithe Watson's Theological Dictionary Tithes International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Tithe Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Tithe McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Tithes Tithe The Jewish Encyclopedia Tithe Numbers 18:22 "The sons of Israel shall not come near the tent of meeting again, or they will bear sin and die. BGT Numbers 18:22 καὶ οὐ προσελεύσονται ἔτι οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου λαβεῖν ἁμαρτίαν θανατηφόρον NET Numbers 18:22 No longer may the Israelites approach the tent of meeting, or else they will bear their sin and die. NLT Numbers 18:22 "From now on, no Israelites except priests or Levites may approach the Tabernacle. If they come too near, they will be judged guilty and will die. ESV Numbers 18:22 so that the people of Israel do not come near the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. NIV Numbers 18:22 From now on the Israelites must not go near the Tent of Meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. KJV Numbers 18:22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. YLT Numbers 18:22 'And the sons of Israel come no more near unto the tent of meeting, to bear sin, to die, LXE Numbers 18:22 And the children of Israel shall no more draw nigh to the tabernacle of witness to incur fatal guilt. ASV Numbers 18:22 And henceforth the children of Israel shall not come nigh the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin, and die. CSB Numbers 18:22 The Israelites must never again come near the tent of meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. NKJ Numbers 18:22 "Hereafter the children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. NRS Numbers 18:22 From now on the Israelites shall no longer approach the tent of meeting, or else they will incur guilt and die. shall not come near : Nu 18:7 Nu 1:52 Nu 3:10,38 bear sin: Lev 20:20 Lev 22:9 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GUIDELINES FOR THE LAYMAN The sons of Israel shall not come near the tent of meeting again, or they will bear sin and die - NLT = "From now on, no Israelites except priests or Levites may approach the Tabernacle. If they come too near, they will be judged guilty and will die." NET Note - "To bear their sin" would mean that they would have to suffer the consequences of their sin. Numbers 18:7+ “But you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and inside the veil, and you are to perform service. I am giving you the priesthood as a bestowed service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.” Numbers 3:10+ “So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons that they may keep their priesthood, but the layman who comes near shall be put to death.” Numbers 3:38+ Now those who were to camp before the tabernacle eastward, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, are Moses and Aaron and his sons, performing the duties of the sanctuary for the obligation of the sons of Israel; but the layman coming near was to be put to death. Numbers 16:16+ Moses said to Korah, “You and all your company be present before the LORD tomorrow, both you and they along with Aaron. 17 “Each of you take his firepan and put incense on it, and each of you bring his censer before the LORD, two hundred and fifty firepans; also you and Aaron shall each bring his firepan.” 18 So they each took his own censer and put fire on it, and laid incense on it; and they stood at the doorway of the tent of meeting (THE CAME NEAR THE TENT OF MEETING!), with Moses and Aaron.....35 Fire also came forth from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense. Leviticus 10:1-2+ Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Numbers 18:23 "Only the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the sons of Israel they shall have no inheritance. BGT Numbers 18:23 καὶ λειτουργήσει ὁ Λευίτης αὐτὸς τὴν λειτουργίαν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ αὐτοὶ λήμψονται τὰ ἁμαρτήματα αὐτῶν νόμιμον αἰώνιον εἰς τὰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν καὶ ἐν μέσῳ υἱῶν Ισραηλ οὐ κληρονομήσουσιν κληρονομίαν NET Numbers 18:23 But the Levites must perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. It will be a perpetual ordinance throughout your generations that among the Israelites the Levites have no inheritance. NLT Numbers 18:23 Only the Levites may serve at the Tabernacle, and they will be held responsible for any offenses against it. This is a permanent law for you, to be observed from generation to generation. The Levites will receive no allotment of land among the Israelites, ESV Numbers 18:23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the people of Israel they shall have no inheritance. NIV Numbers 18:23 It is the Levites who are to do the work at the Tent of Meeting and bear the responsibility for offenses against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. KJV Numbers 18:23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. YLT Numbers 18:23 and the Levites have done the service of the tent of meeting, and they -- they bear their iniquity; a statute age-during to your generations, that in the midst of the sons of Israel they have no inheritance; LXE Numbers 18:23 And the Levite himself shall perform the service of the tabernacle of witness; and they shall bear their iniquities, it is a perpetual statute throughout their generations; and in the midst of the children of Israel they shall not receive an inheritance. ASV Numbers 18:23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations; and among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. CSB Numbers 18:23 The Levites will do the work of the tent of meeting, and they will bear the consequences of their sin. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites; this is a permanent statute throughout your generations. NKJ Numbers 18:23 "But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. NRS Numbers 18:23 But the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear responsibility for their own offenses; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations. But among the Israelites they shall have no allotment, the service: Nu 3:7 among: Nu 18:20 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Numbers 1:51+ “So when the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle encamps, the Levites shall set it up. But the layman who comes near shall be put to death. Only the Levites shall perform the service of the tent (ohel) of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity - Since the Levites have the privilege of caring for the tabernacle, they also have the responsibility of guarding against intrusions and "they will be held responsible for any offenses against it." (NLT) Their iniquity most likely refers to the iniquity of the Levites, not the sons of Israel. UBS Handbook - A violation of the sacred space of the Tent of Meeting was a sin against the holiness of the LORD himself and therefore had to be punished accordingly Iniquity (punishment, guilt) (05771)('avon from verb 'avah = to bend, twist, distort) describes the iniquity, evil, punishment or guilt which is associated with a twisting of the standard or deviation from it. Since there is a deliberate twisting or perverting, 'avon describes sin that is particularly evil. It may also describe the punishment or disaster that befalls those who practice wickedness. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the sons of Israel they shall have no inheritance - As with the priests, the Levites would not be land owners. Perpetual (05769) see olam Inheritance (possession)(05157) see above on nahal Numbers 18:24 "For the tithe of the sons of Israel, which they offer as an offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance; therefore I have said concerning them, 'They shall have no inheritance among the sons of Israel.'" BGT Numbers 18:24 ὅτι τὰ ἐπιδέκατα τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ὅσα ἂν ἀφορίσωσιν κυρίῳ ἀφαίρεμα δέδωκα τοῖς Λευίταις ἐν κλήρῳ διὰ τοῦτο εἴρηκα αὐτοῖς ἐν μέσῳ υἱῶν Ισραηλ οὐ κληρονομήσουσιν κλῆρον NET Numbers 18:24 But I have given to the Levites for an inheritance the tithes of the Israelites that are offered to the LORD as a raised offering. That is why I said to them that among the Israelites they are to have no inheritance." NLT Numbers 18:24 because I have given them the Israelites' tithes, which have been presented as sacred offerings to the LORD. This will be the Levites' share. That is why I said they would receive no allotment of land among the Israelites." ESV Numbers 18:24 For the tithe of the people of Israel, which they present as a contribution to the LORD, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said of them that they shall have no inheritance among the people of Israel." NIV Numbers 18:24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: 'They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.' " KJV Numbers 18:24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. YLT Numbers 18:24 but the tithe of the sons of Israel which they lift up to Jehovah, a heave-offering, I have given to the Levites for inheritance; therefore I have said of them, In the midst of the sons of Israel they have no inheritance.' LXE Numbers 18:24 Because I have given as a distinct portion to the Levites for an inheritance the tithes of the children of Israel, whatsoever they shall offer to the Lord; therefore I said to them, In the midst of the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. ASV Numbers 18:24 For the tithe of the children of Israel, which they offer as a heave-offering unto Jehovah, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. CSB Numbers 18:24 For I have given them the tenth that the Israelites present to the LORD as a contribution for their inheritance. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites." NKJ Numbers 18:24 "For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them,`Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.'" NRS Numbers 18:24 because I have given to the Levites as their portion the tithe of the Israelites, which they set apart as an offering to the LORD. Therefore I have said of them that they shall have no allotment among the Israelites. For - Term of explanation - explaining why the Levites will receive no inheritance of land. The tithe of the sons of Israel, which they offer as an offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance - NLT = "because I have given them the Israelites' tithes, which have been presented as sacred offerings to the LORD. This will be the Levites' share." therefore I have said concerning them, 'They shall have no inheritance among the sons of Israel.'" -Therefore introduces God’s conclusion concerning the Levites. "That is why I said they would receive no allotment of land among the Israelites." GNT = "That is why I told them that they would have no permanent property in Israel.” Inheritance (possession)(05157) see above on nahal Tithe (04643) see note above on maaser Numbers 18:25 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries YAHWEH NOW BEGINS DISCOURSE TO MOSES Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Numbers 18:26 "Moreover, you shall speak to the Levites and say to them, 'When you take from the sons of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present an offering from it to the LORD, a tithe of the tithe. BGT Numbers 18:26 καὶ τοῖς Λευίταις λαλήσεις καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς ἐὰν λάβητε παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ τὸ ἐπιδέκατον ὃ δέδωκα ὑμῖν παρ᾽ αὐτῶν ἐν κλήρῳ καὶ ἀφελεῖτε ὑμεῖς ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἀφαίρεμα κυρίῳ ἐπιδέκατον ἀπὸ τοῦ ἐπιδεκάτου NET Numbers 18:26 "You are to speak to the Levites, and you must tell them, 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you are to offer up from it as a raised offering to the LORD a tenth of the tithe. NLT Numbers 18:26 "Give these instructions to the Levites: When you receive from the people of Israel the tithes I have assigned as your allotment, give a tenth of the tithes you receive-- a tithe of the tithe-- to the LORD as a sacred offering. ESV Numbers 18:26 "Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, 'When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the LORD, a tithe of the tithe. NIV Numbers 18:26 "Speak to the Levites and say to them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD's offering. KJV Numbers 18:26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe. YLT Numbers 18:26 'And unto the Levites thou dost speak; and thou hast said unto them, When ye take from the sons of Israel the tithe which I have given to you from them, for your inheritance, then ye have lifted up from it the heave-offering of Jehovah, a tithe of the tithe; LXE Numbers 18:26 Thou shalt also speak to the Levites, and shalt say to them, If ye take the tithe from the children of Israel, which I have given you from them for an inheritance, then shall ye separate from it a heave-offering to the Lord, a tenth of the tenth. ASV Numbers 18:26 Moreover thou shalt speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up a heave-offering of it for Jehovah, a tithe of the tithe. CSB Numbers 18:26 "Speak to the Levites and tell them: When you receive from the Israelites the tenth that I have given you as your inheritance, you must present part of it as an offering to the LORD-- a tenth of the tenth. NKJ Numbers 18:26 "Speak thus to the Levites, and say to them:`When you take from the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you shall offer up a heave offering of it to the LORD, a tenth of the tithe. NRS Numbers 18:26 You shall speak to the Levites, saying: When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you from them for your portion, you shall set apart an offering from it to the LORD, a tithe of the tithe. shall: Nu 18:19 tithe: Ne 10:38 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LEVITES ORDERED TO GIVE TITHE OF TITHE TO AARON Moreover, you shall speak to the Levites and say to them - Moses not Aaron will address the Levites. "Here the LORD’s speech is no longer directed at Aaron, but at Moses. It would be a conflict of interest for Aaron himself to command the Levites to present an offering to Aaron and his sons, and so the LORD turns to Moses for this part of the instructions." (UBS) When you take from the sons of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present (rum - lift up) an offering from it to the LORD, a tithe of the tithe - You...your...you are plural and refer to the Levites. Take (NAS, ESV) is not the best translation as it suggests they are robbing the sons of Israel. The NET has "'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you are to offer up from it as a raised offering to the LORD a tenth of the tithe." UBS Handbook on a tithe of the tithe - When the Levites give their own tithe to the priests, their action will be the equivalent of the actions of the Israelites who give a tithe from their crops to the priests Tithe (04643) see note above on maaser Offering (heave offering) (08641) see notes on terumah from rum = to be high or exalted, depicts something being lifted up as one would do in an offering). Note that present is actually the very rum so literally reads "have lifted up from it the heave-offering of Jehovah." Note also that terumah is a key word in Numbers 18 occuring 8 times - Nu 18:8; Nu 18:11; Nu 18:19; Nu 18:24; Nu 18:26; Nu 18:27; Nu 18:28; Nu 18:29; Numbers 18:27 'Your offering shall be reckoned to you as the grain from the threshing floor or the full produce from the wine vat. BGT Numbers 18:27 καὶ λογισθήσεται ὑμῖν τὰ ἀφαιρέματα ὑμῶν ὡς σῖτος ἀπὸ ἅλω καὶ ἀφαίρεμα ἀπὸ ληνοῦ NET Numbers 18:27 And your raised offering will be credited to you as though it were grain from the threshing floor or as new wine from the winepress. NLT Numbers 18:27 The LORD will consider this offering to be your harvest offering, as though it were the first grain from your own threshing floor or wine from your own winepress. ESV Numbers 18:27 And your contribution shall be counted to you as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress. NIV Numbers 18:27 Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. KJV 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. YLT Numbers 18:27 and your heave-offering hath been reckoned to you as corn from the threshing-floor, and as fulness from the wine-vat; LXE Numbers 18:27 And your heave-offerings shall be reckoned to you as corn from the floor, and an offering from the wine-press. ASV Numbers 18:27 And your heave-offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the grain of the threshing-floor, and as the fulness of the winepress. CSB Numbers 18:27 Your offering will be credited to you as if it were your grain from the threshing floor or the full harvest from the winepress. NKJ Numbers 18:27 `And your heave offering shall be reckoned to you as though it were the grain of the threshing floor and as the fullness of the winepress. NRS Numbers 18:27 It shall be reckoned to you as your gift, the same as the grain of the threshing floor and the fullness of the wine press. as though: Lev 6:19-23 the corn: Nu 18:30 15:20 De 15:14 2Ki 6:27 Ho 9:1,2 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Your offering shall be reckoned to you as (though it were like) the grain from the threshing floor or the full produce from the wine vat - When the Levites give a tithe of the tithe, their tithe offering will be credited to them. It will be as if they had grown the grain (and grapes) themselves and then given a tithe of them as the sons of Israel were required to do of their produce (and wine produced). UBS on wine vat - A wine press was cut from bedrock to form a flat surface on which people walked with bare feet on the grapes to squeeze out the juice. The juice flowed into a vat that was located at a lower level and connected by a channel Offering (heave offering) (08641) see notes on terumah from rum = to be high or exalted, depicts something being lifted up as one would do in an offering). Note that terumah is a key word in Numbers 18 occuring 8 times - Nu 18:8; Nu 18:11; Nu 18:19; Nu 18:24; Nu 18:26; Nu 18:27; Nu 18:28; Nu 18:29. Numbers 18:28 'So you shall also present an offering to the LORD from your tithes, which you receive from the sons of Israel; and from it you shall give the LORD'S offering to Aaron the priest. BGT Numbers 18:28 οὕτως ἀφελεῖτε καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀπὸ τῶν ἀφαιρεμάτων κυρίου ἀπὸ πάντων ἐπιδεκάτων ὑμῶν ὅσα ἐὰν λάβητε παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ καὶ δώσετε ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν ἀφαίρεμα κυρίῳ Ααρων τῷ ἱερεῖ NET Numbers 18:28 Thus you are to offer up a raised offering to the LORD of all your tithes which you receive from the Israelites; and you must give the LORD's raised offering from it to Aaron the priest. NLT Numbers 18:28 You must present one-tenth of the tithe received from the Israelites as a sacred offering to the LORD. This is the LORD's sacred portion, and you must present it to Aaron the priest. ESV Numbers 18:28 So you shall also present a contribution to the LORD from all your tithes, which you receive from the people of Israel. And from it you shall give the LORD's contribution to Aaron the priest. NIV Numbers 18:28 In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD's portion to Aaron the priest. KJV 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. YLT Numbers 18:28 so ye do lift up -- ye also -- the heave-offering of Jehovah from all your tithes which ye receive from the sons of Israel; and ye have given from it the heave-offering of Jehovah to Aaron the priest; LXE Numbers 18:28 So shall ye also separate them from all the offerings of the Lord out of all your tithes, whatsoever ye shall receive from the children of Israel; and ye shall give of them an offering to the Lord to Aaron the priest. ASV Numbers 18:28 Thus ye also shall offer a heave-offering unto Jehovah of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and thereof ye shall give Jehovah's heave-offering to Aaron the priest. CSB Numbers 18:28 You are to present an offering to the LORD from every tenth you receive from the Israelites. Give some of it to Aaron the priest as an offering to the LORD. NKJ Numbers 18:28 `Thus you shall also offer a heave offering to the LORD from all your tithes which you receive from the children of Israel, and you shall give the LORD'S heave offering from it to Aaron the priest. NRS Numbers 18:28 Thus you also shall set apart an offering to the LORD from all the tithes that you receive from the Israelites; and from them you shall give the LORD's offering to the priest Aaron. and ye shall: Ge 14:18 Heb 6:20 7:1-10 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So you shall also present an offering to the LORD from your tithes, which you receive from the sons of Israel; and from it you shall give the LORD'S offering to Aaron the priest - Yahweh reiterates the preceding instructions but now focuses on Aaron as the recipient of the tithes to the LORD. "You are to give this special contribution for the LORD to Aaron the priest." (GNT) Offering (heave offering) (08641) see notes on terumah from rum = to be high or exalted, depicts something being lifted up as one would do in an offering). Note that terumah is a key word in Numbers 18 occuring 8 times - Nu 18:8; Nu 18:11; Nu 18:19; Nu 18:24; Nu 18:26; Nu 18:27; Nu 18:28; Nu 18:29; Tithe (04643) see note above on maaser Numbers 18:29 'Out of all your gifts you shall present every offering due to the LORD, from all the best of them, the sacred part from them.' BGT Numbers 18:29 ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν δομάτων ὑμῶν ἀφελεῖτε ἀφαίρεμα κυρίῳ ἢ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἀπαρχῶν τὸ ἡγιασμένον ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ NET Numbers 18:29 From all your gifts you must offer up every raised offering due the LORD, from all the best of it, and the holiest part of it.' NLT Numbers 18:29 Be sure to give to the LORD the best portions of the gifts given to you. ESV Numbers 18:29 Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the LORD; from each its best part is to be dedicated.' NIV Numbers 18:29 You must present as the LORD's portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.' KJV Numbers 18:29 Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it. YLT Numbers 18:29 out of all your gifts ye do lift up the whole heave-offering of Jehovah; out of all its fat, -- its hallowed part -- out of it. LXE Numbers 18:29 Of all your gifts ye shall offer an offering to the Lord, and of every first-fruit the consecrated part from it. ASV Numbers 18:29 Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave-offering of Jehovah, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it. CSB Numbers 18:29 You must present the entire offering due the LORD from all your gifts. The best part of the tenth is to be consecrated. NKJ Numbers 18:29 `Of all your gifts you shall offer up every heave offering due to the LORD, from all the best of them, the consecrated part of them.' NRS Numbers 18:29 Out of all the gifts to you, you shall set apart every offering due to the LORD; the best of all of them is the part to be consecrated. best: Nu 18:12 (best) Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Out of all your gifts you shall present every offering due to the LORD, from all the best of them, the sacred part from them.' - The NLT conveys the sense well "Be sure to give to the LORD the best portions of the gifts given to you." The Hebrew word for best (heleb - used Nu 18:12, 29, 30, 32) refers literally to fat, the covering of the interior of the body, which was considered the best part of an animal and was God's portion in offerings (1 Sa 2:15,16), not to be eaten by men. In the present context heleb is used figuratively to refer to the best products of the tithe the Levites received. (See comments on Nu 18:12). The sacred part refers to the tithe of the Levites as “the consecrated part,” that part set apart for the LORD. Offering (heave offering) (08641) see notes on terumah from rum = to be high or exalted, depicts something being lifted up as one would do in an offering). Note that terumah is a key word in Numbers 18 occuring 8 times - Nu 18:8; Nu 18:11; Nu 18:19; Nu 18:24; Nu 18:26; Nu 18:27; Nu 18:28; Nu 18:29; Sacred (04720)(miqdash from qadash = to set apart, to separate) describes that which is set apart from all common or secular purposes to some religious use. Sacred in the Lxx is translated with the verb hagiazo meaning consecrated, dedicated, sanctified and is in the perfect tense. Miqdash is the same word rendered sanctuary in Nu 18:1. Numbers 18:30 "You shall say to them, 'When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be reckoned to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor, and as the product of the wine vat. BGT Numbers 18:30 καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς ὅταν ἀφαιρῆτε τὴν ἀπαρχὴν ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ λογισθήσεται τοῖς Λευίταις ὡς γένημα ἀπὸ ἅλω καὶ ὡς γένημα ἀπὸ ληνοῦ NET Numbers 18:30 "Therefore you will say to them, 'When you offer up the best of it, then it will be credited to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor and as the product of the winepress. NLT Numbers 18:30 "Also, give these instructions to the Levites: When you present the best part as your offering, it will be considered as though it came from your own threshing floor or winepress. ESV Numbers 18:30 Therefore you shall say to them, 'When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be counted to the Levites as produce of the threshing floor, and as produce of the winepress. NIV Numbers 18:30 "Say to the Levites: 'When you present the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress. KJV 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. YLT Numbers 18:30 'And thou hast said unto them, In your lifting up its fat out of it, then it hath been reckoned to the Levites, as increase of a threshing-floor, and as increase of a wine-vat; LXE Numbers 18:30 And thou shalt say to them, When ye shall offer the first-fruits from it, then shall it be reckoned to the Levites as produce from the threshing-floor, and as produce from the wine-press. ASV Numbers 18:30 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 wine-press. CSB Numbers 18:30 "Tell them further: Once you have presented the best part of the tenth, and it is credited to you Levites as the produce of the threshing floor or the winepress, NKJ Numbers 18:30 "Therefore you shall say to them:`When you have lifted up the best of it, then the rest shall be accounted to the Levites as the produce of the threshing floor and as the produce of the winepress. NRS Numbers 18:30 Say also to them: When you have set apart the best of it, then the rest shall be reckoned to the Levites as produce of the threshing floor, and as produce of the wine press. the best: Nu 18:28 Ge 43:11 De 6:5 Pr 3:9,10 Mal 1:8 Mt 6:33 10:37-39 Php 3:8,9 then it shall: Nu 18:27 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE LEVITES You shall say to them - Yahweh gives Moses more instructions He wants Moses to give to the Levites. NET NOTE however says "The wording of this verse is confusing; it may be that it is addressed to the priests, telling them how to deal with the offerings of the Levites." 'When you have offered from it the best of it - "IT" could refer to the tithes of the Israelites and the CSB renders it "the best part of the tenth." UBS however says that "A majority of translations take the pronoun “IT” as a reference to all the tithes received by the Levites from the Israelites minus the best part of those gifts (Nu 18:28–29). It refers to the rest of the gifts that remain after the Levites have themselves presented the best part of these gifts as a tithe to the priests. The Levites are allowed to keep the gifts that remain." (UBS Handbook) The Hebrew word for best (heleb - used Nu 18:12, 29, 30, 32) refers literally to fat, the covering of the interior of the body, which was considered the best part of an animal and was God's portion in offerings (1 Sa 2:15,16), not to be eaten by men. In the present context heleb is used figuratively to refer to the best products of the tithe the Levites received. (See comments on Nu 18:12). Then the rest shall be reckoned to the Levites - "it will be credited to the Levites." (NET) As the product of the threshing floor, and as the product of the wine vat - NLT "it will be considered as though it came from your own threshing floor or winepress." Numbers 18:31 'You may eat it anywhere, you and your households, for it is your compensation in return for your service in the tent of meeting. BGT Numbers 18:31 καὶ ἔδεσθε αὐτὸ ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ ὑμεῖς καὶ οἱ οἶκοι ὑμῶν ὅτι μισθὸς οὗτος ὑμῖν ἐστιν ἀντὶ τῶν λειτουργιῶν ὑμῶν τῶν ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου NET Numbers 18:31 And you may eat it in any place, you and your household, because it is your wages for your service in the tent of meeting. NLT Numbers 18:31 You Levites and your families may eat this food anywhere you wish, for it is your compensation for serving in the Tabernacle. ESV Numbers 18:31 And you may eat it in any place, you and your households, for it is your reward in return for your service in the tent of meeting. NIV Numbers 18:31 You and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere, for it is your wages for your work at the Tent of Meeting. KJV Numbers 18:31 And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation. YLT Numbers 18:31 and ye have eaten it in every place, ye and your households, for it is your hire in exchange for your service in the tent of meeting; LXE Numbers 18:31 And ye shall eat it in any place, ye and your families; for this is your reward for your services in the tabernacle of witness. ASV Numbers 18:31 And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward in return for your service in the tent of meeting. CSB Numbers 18:31 then you and your household may eat it anywhere. It is your wage in return for your work at the tent of meeting. NKJ Numbers 18:31 `You may eat it in any place, you and your households, for it is your reward for your work in the tabernacle of meeting. NRS Numbers 18:31 You may eat it in any place, you and your households; for it is your payment for your service in the tent of meeting. in every: De 14:22,23 your compensation: Mt 10:10 Lu 10:7 1Co 9:10-14 2Co 12:13 Ga 6:6 1Ti 5:17,18 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE OF THE LEVITES You (Levites) may eat it anywhere, you and your households (families) - "The pronoun it can only refer to the rest of the food tithed by the Israelites, which the Levites are allowed to keep for themselves." (UBS) For - Term of explanation. Explains why the Levites may eat the remaining food tithed by the Israelites. It is your compensation in return for your service in the tent of meeting - Compensation (sakar; Lxx = misthos) refers to wages, pay, reward, in this case "wages" consisting of produce of the land. In a sense they are compensated doubly for not only do they have the privilege of close proximity to Yahweh, they receive reward from Yahweh for serving Him (and the Aaronic priests). Compensation (reward, hire) (07939)(sakar from the verb sakar = to hire) is masculine noun indicating wages, a reward, pay. Sakar refers either to monetary pay or pay with goods (Ge 30:28, 32, 33; Ex. 2:9; Nu 18:31). In Ge 15:1 sakar is the reward (Lxx = misthos) from God to Abraham for faithfulness. Numbers 18:32 'You will bear no sin by reason of it when you have offered the best of it. But you shall not profane the sacred gifts of the sons of Israel, or you will die.'" BGT Numbers 18:32 καὶ οὐ λήμψεσθε δι᾽ αὐτὸ ἁμαρτίαν ὅτι ἂν ἀφαιρῆτε τὴν ἀπαρχὴν ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ ἅγια τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ οὐ βεβηλώσετε ἵνα μὴ ἀποθάνητε NET Numbers 18:32 And you will bear no sin concerning it when you offer up the best of it. And you must not profane the holy things of the Israelites, or else you will die.'" NLT Numbers 18:32 You will not be considered guilty for accepting the LORD's tithes if you give the best portion to the priests. But be careful not to treat the holy gifts of the people of Israel as though they were common. If you do, you will die." ESV Numbers 18:32 And you shall bear no sin by reason of it, when you have contributed the best of it. But you shall not profane the holy things of the people of Israel, lest you die.'" NIV Numbers 18:32 By presenting the best part of it you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die.' " KJV Numbers 18:32 And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die. YLT Numbers 18:32 and ye bear no sin for it, in your lifting up its fat out of it, and the holy things of the sons of Israel ye do not pollute, and ye die not.' LXE Numbers 18:32 And ye shall not bear sin by reason of it, for ye shall have offered an offering of first-fruits from it, and ye shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, that ye die not. ASV Numbers 18:32 And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best thereof: and ye shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, that ye die not. CSB Numbers 18:32 You will not incur guilt because of it once you have presented the best part of it, but you must not defile the Israelites' holy offerings, so that you will not die." NKJ Numbers 18:32 `And you shall bear no sin because of it, when you have lifted up the best of it. But you shall not profane the holy gifts of the children of Israel, lest you die.'" NRS Numbers 18:32 You shall incur no guilt by reason of it, when you have offered the best of it. But you shall not profane the holy gifts of the Israelites, on pain of death. bear: Nu 18:22 Lev 19:8 profane: Lev 22:2,15 Mal 1:7 1Co 11:27,29 Numbers 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A REASSURANCE AND/OR WARNING Good News Translation - You will not become guilty when you eat it, as long as you have presented the best of it to the LORD. But be sure not to profane the sacred gifts of the Israelites by eating any of the gifts before the best part is offered; if you do, you will be put to death.” (This is more of a warning) NIV - By presenting the best part of it you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die.' " (This is more of a reassurance) You will bear no sin by reason of it when you have offered the best (heleb) of it. - NLT = "You will not be considered guilty for accepting the LORD's tithes if you give the best portion to the priests." But you shall not profane the sacred gifts (qodesh) of the sons of Israel, or you will die - NLT = "But be careful not to treat the holy gifts of the people of Israel as though they were common. If you do, you will die." NET NOTE - The final clause could also be rendered "in order that you do not die." The larger section can also be interpreted differently; rather than take it as a warning, it could be taken as an assurance that when they do all of this they will not be profaning it and so will not die (R. K. Harrison, Numbers [WEC], 253). Profane (verb) (02490)(chalal) means to profane, defile, pollute; prostitute; make common; loose; to break. (the most common meaning) In fact the first OT use of chalal describes sexual defilement or incest (Ge 49:4) To profane means to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt. Sacred gifts (holy) (06944) see note on qodesh The Lxx renders qodesh with hagios indicating those things set apart from common use and for uses related to Yahweh.