Numbers 18:19

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כֹּ֣ל׀

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תְּרוּמֹ֣ת

H8641

All the heave offerings

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים

H6944

of the holy things

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָרִ֥ימוּ

H7311

offer

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ

H1121

thee and thy sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֮

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נָתַ֣תִּֽי

H5414

have I given

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#10

לְךָ֗

#11

וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ

H1121

thee and thy sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#12

וְלִבְנֹתֶ֛יךָ

H1323

and thy daughters

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

#13

אִתְּךָ֖

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#14

לְחָק

H2706

with thee by a statute

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

#15

עוֹלָ֥ם

H5769

for ever

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

#16

בְּרִית֩

H1285

it is a covenant

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

#17

מֶ֨לַח

H4417

of salt

properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)

#18

עוֹלָ֥ם

H5769

for ever

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

#19

הִוא֙

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#20

לִפְנֵ֣י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#21

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#22

לְךָ֖

#23

וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ֥

H2233

unto thee and to thy seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

#24

אִתָּֽךְ׃

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of covenant within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding covenant as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?
How might the original audience's understanding of covenant differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding covenant in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about covenant?

Related Resources

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Numbers 18:19

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Study Resources