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.
Original Language Analysis
וְנֶחְשַׁ֥ב
shall be reckoned
H2803
וְנֶחְשַׁ֥ב
shall be reckoned
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
תְּרֽוּמַתְכֶ֑ם
And this your heave offering
H8641
תְּרֽוּמַתְכֶ֑ם
And this your heave offering
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
3 of 9
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
כַּדָּגָן֙
unto you as though it were the corn
H1715
כַּדָּגָן֙
unto you as though it were the corn
Strong's:
H1715
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, increase, i.e., grain
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַגֹּ֔רֶן
of the threshingfloor
H1637
הַגֹּ֔רֶן
of the threshingfloor
Strong's:
H1637
Word #:
6 of 9
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
וְכַֽמְלֵאָ֖ה
and as the fulness
H4395
וְכַֽמְלֵאָ֖ה
and as the fulness
Strong's:
H4395
Word #:
7 of 9
something fulfilled, i.e., abundance (of produce)
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's economy centered on agriculture—grain, wine, and oil were standard wealth measures. By crediting Levitical tithes 'as though' they were agricultural produce, God ensured that landless ministers had equal economic dignity with landowning farmers and shepherds.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's crediting of ministry work 'as though' it were agricultural labor affirm the value of spiritual service?
- What modern church practices might inadvertently communicate that spiritual ministry is less 'productive' than secular work?
- How can believers practice economic equality that honors both material producers and spiritual servants?
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Analysis & Commentary
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—The Levites' tithe-from-tithe was reckoned (חָשַׁב chashav, counted/credited) as equivalent to the agricultural produce (grain and wine) given by landed tribes. Though Levites owned no fields or vineyards, God credited their tithe as if they had harvested crops themselves, maintaining dignity and equality across all tribes.
The comparison to corn of the threshingfloor (דָּגָן מִגֹּרֶן dagan migoren) and fulness of the winepress (מְלֵאָה מִיֶּקֶב mele'ah miyekev) emphasizes that spiritual ministry was 'productive labor' deserving recognition equal to physical agriculture. Paul applies this principle: 'The laborer is worthy of his wages' (1 Timothy 5:18).