1 Samuel 8:15
And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
Original Language Analysis
וְזַרְעֵיכֶ֥ם
of your seed
H2233
וְזַרְעֵיכֶ֥ם
of your seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
1 of 6
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
יַעְשֹׂ֑ר
And he will take the tenth
H6237
יַעְשֹׂ֑ר
And he will take the tenth
Strong's:
H6237
Word #:
3 of 6
to tithe, i.e., to take or give a tenth
וְנָתַ֥ן
and give
H5414
וְנָתַ֥ן
and give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 6
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
Royal taxation in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms typically ranged from 10-20% of agricultural produce. Egyptian records document detailed tax collection systems. The mention of "sarisim" (possibly eunuchs) reflects Mesopotamian court practices where castrated officials served in positions of trust near royal households.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the concept of competing tithes challenge you to evaluate where your primary loyalties and resources flow?
- What does it mean practically to give God the "first" of your resources rather than what remains after other obligations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
The royal tithe directly parallels—and competes with—the sacred tithe owed to God. Under the Mosaic covenant, Israelites gave a tenth of their produce to support the Levites (Numbers 18:21-24) and the sanctuary system. Now the king will impose his own tenth, effectively doubling the tax burden while diverting resources from sacred to secular purposes. The term "sarisim" (officers, or eunuchs) appears here, possibly anticipating the foreign court practices Israel would eventually adopt. These officials and "avadim" (servants) form the bureaucratic class every monarchy requires. The agricultural tithe ("zera'," seed, and vineyard produce) represents ongoing taxation rather than one-time confiscation—the king's take will continue year after year. This perpetual extraction contrasts with God's abundant provision. Where the divine tithe supported worship and care for the poor, the royal tithe enriches the political elite.