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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֖
Therefore thou shalt say
H559
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֖
Therefore thou shalt say
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
1 of 12
to say (used with great latitude)
בַּהֲרִֽימְכֶ֤ם
unto them When ye have heaved
H7311
בַּהֲרִֽימְכֶ֤ם
unto them When ye have heaved
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
3 of 12
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֶלְבּוֹ֙
the best
H2459
חֶלְבּוֹ֙
the best
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
5 of 12
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְנֶחְשַׁב֙
thereof from it then it shall be counted
H2803
וְנֶחְשַׁב֙
thereof from it then it shall be counted
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
וְכִתְבוּאַ֥ת
and as the increase
H8393
וְכִתְבוּאַ֥ת
and as the increase
Strong's:
H8393
Word #:
9 of 12
income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)
גֹּ֖רֶן
of the threshingfloor
H1637
גֹּ֖רֶן
of the threshingfloor
Strong's:
H1637
Word #:
10 of 12
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
Historical Context
The heaving/lifting gesture in Israelite worship involved raising offerings with extended arms toward the tabernacle, symbolizing surrender to God before the gift was given to priests or placed on the altar. This physical act reinforced the theology that all giving flows through God to its final human recipients.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the physical act of 'heaving' (lifting offerings toward God) embody theological truths about giving?
- What does God's crediting of spiritual ministry as 'harvest increase' teach about kingdom productivity beyond material metrics?
- How can you develop practices that acknowledge all giving passes through God's hands before reaching human recipients?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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—The word heaved (בַּהֲרִימֲכֶם baharimakhem, when you lift up) describes the physical gesture of lifting offerings toward heaven, symbolizing presentation to God. The verb counted (נֶחְשַׁב nechshav, reckoned/credited) repeats from verse 27, emphasizing divine accounting that credited Levitical service equal to agricultural labor.
The phrase increase of the threshingfloor (תְּבוּאַת גֹּרֶן tevu'at goren) and increase of the winepress (תְּבוּאַת יֶקֶב tevu'at yekev) uses the word for 'produce/harvest,' affirming that ministry work yields genuine productivity deserving economic reward. This principle undergirds Paul's teaching that those who proclaim the gospel should receive their living from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14).