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.
Original Language Analysis
וְלִבְנֵ֣י
the children
H1121
וְלִבְנֵ֣י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נָתַ֛תִּי
And behold I have given
H5414
נָתַ֛תִּי
And behold I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְנַֽחֲלָ֑ה
for an inheritance
H5159
לְנַֽחֲלָ֑ה
for an inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עֹֽבְדִ֔ים
which they serve
H5647
עֹֽבְדִ֔ים
which they serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
13 of 17
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Nehemiah 10:37And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.Nehemiah 12:44And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.Hebrews 7:5And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Historical Context
Written during Israel's wilderness period (1445-1405 BC), this establishes the economic framework for the Levitical priesthood that would function for 1,500 years until the temple's destruction in AD 70. The tithe system ensured the priests could focus entirely on maintaining Israel's worship and teaching God's law without concern for subsistence farming.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's provision for Levites through tithes challenge modern assumptions about "voluntary" giving versus covenantal obligation?
- In what ways does "the LORD is my inheritance" (18:20) offer greater security than land ownership?
- How should the principle of supporting full-time ministry workers inform church budget priorities today?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance (נָתַתִּי natatti, I have given)—The Levitical tithe (מַעֲשֵׂר ma'aser, tenth) was not charity but covenant compensation. Since Levi received no territorial nachalah (inheritance) in the land distribution, God Himself became their portion (18:20), sustained through Israel's tithes.
For their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle (עֲבֹדָה avodah, service/worship)—This word encompasses both labor and liturgy. The Levites' full-time devotion to sacred duties freed the other tribes for agriculture and warfare, making the tithe a practical necessity for theocratic function. Paul applies this principle to gospel ministers: "Those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:14).