Numbers 5:9
And every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring unto the priest, shall be his.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּרוּמָ֞ה
And every offering
H8641
תְּרוּמָ֞ה
And every offering
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
2 of 11
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
קָדְשֵׁ֧י
of all the holy things
H6944
קָדְשֵׁ֧י
of all the holy things
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
4 of 11
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
בְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַקְרִ֥יבוּ
which they bring
H7126
יַקְרִ֥יבוּ
which they bring
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
8 of 11
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
Cross References
Exodus 29:28And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it is an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, even their heave offering unto the LORD.Numbers 18:19All 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.
Historical Context
The heave offering differed from the wave offering. The heave offering was lifted vertically as a gesture of presenting it to God, then given to the priests. This included portions of grain offerings, peace offerings, and various firstfruits. The system ensured the priesthood's material needs were met while they devoted full time to sacred service.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's provision for priests inform our responsibility to support gospel workers?
- What does it mean that God Himself is the inheritance of those who serve Him full-time?
- How can churches ensure adequate, dignified support for pastors and missionaries?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Every heave offering of holy things belonging to the priests establishes divine provision for those who serve at the altar. The Hebrew terumah (heave offering/contribution) indicates a portion lifted up and set apart for God, then given to His servants. This principle—that those who proclaim the gospel should live from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14)—undergirds ministerial support. The priests had no land inheritance; God Himself was their portion, materially expressed through these offerings.