Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 18:8
And the LORD spoke unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance forever.
8. A general statement that all the holy things of Israel are the property of the priests. This is afterwards limited by the regulations in the following verses.
the charge of my contributions ] i.e. the contributions made to me. See on Num 18:9. If ‘the charge’ (the ordinary rendering of the Heb. mishmereth) is correct, the expression must mean ‘the duty of taking care that the contributions are not profaned through being eaten by non-priestly persons.’ But it is better to render that which is kept of my contributions, i.e. that portion of the sacrifice which is not burnt, but reserved to be eaten. This concrete force of the word mishmereth is unique, but not impossible.
by reason of the anointing ] The marg. for a portion is correct. In Lev 7:35 a word from the same root is rendered ‘anointing-portion,’ but it is doubtful if it has any connexion with the root msha which signifies ‘anoint.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
8 20. The priests’ dues. These are as follows: ( a) All meal-, sin-, and guilt-offerings, with the exception of those parts which are burnt on the altar, i.e. given to God. These may be eaten by any male member of the priestly families ‘in a very holy place’ ( Num 18:9-10). ( b) Those portions of a ‘gift’ (i.e. a peace-offering) which are not eaten by the worshipper himself, nor given to God by being burnt on the altar; the priests’ portions thus consisted of the ‘contribution,’ including that part of it called the ‘wave-offering.’ These may be eaten by any member, male or female, of the priestly families, who is free from ceremonial pollution ( Num 18:11). The fact that females might eat it implies that it might be eaten anywhere outside the sacred precincts, into which no female was admitted, ( c) All the best of the fresh oil, wine, and corn (further defined as ‘the first’ of them), and the first-ripe fruits. These may be eaten by the same persons as in ( b) ( Num 18:12-13). ( d) Every ‘devoted’ thing ( Num 18:14). ( e) The first-born of all clean cattle ( Num 18:15 a), with the exception of the blood and fat which were given to God ( Num 18:17). ( f) The five shekels paid for the redemption of the first-born of men, and the redemption price (amount not stated) of the first-born of unclean beasts ( Num 18:15 b, Num 18:16).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
By reason of the anointing – See Lev 7:35.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Unto thee have I given them; not only the charge of them, but the use of them for thyself and family, in such manner as I have elsewhere expressed.
The anointing, to wit, to the priestly office, i.e. because thou art priest, and art to devote thyself wholly to my service; which, that thou mayst perform more diligently and cheerfully, I give thee this recompence.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8-13. the Lord spake unto Aaron,Behold, I also have given thee the charge of my heave offeringsArecapitulation is made in this passage of certain perquisitesspecially appropriated to the maintenance of the priests. They wereparts of the votive and freewill offerings, including both meat andbread, wine and oil, and the first-fruits, which formed a large andvaluable item.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the Lord spake unto Aaron,…. Having pointed out to him the duty of his office, he now informs him of the perquisites of it; or having told him what was his work, now what his wages, or what was his service, and now his maintenance:
behold, I also have given thee the charge of my heave offerings, of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; such as the heave shoulder and wave breast, and firstfruits, and all other holy things in general, such as were the most holy things; as in Nu 18:9; and the lighter holy things, as the Jews call them, Nu 18:11; the charge of these was given to keep for themselves, and for their families:
unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing: because of his office as a priest, to which he was consecrated by anointing:
and to thy sons by an ordinance for ever; see Le 7:34.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Revenues of the Priests. – These are summed up in Num 18:8 in these words, “ I give thee the keeping of My heave-offerings in all holy gifts for a portion, as an eternal statute.” The notion of , keeping, as in Exo 12:6; Exo 16:23, Exo 16:32, is defined in the second parallel clause as , a portion (see at Lev 7:35). The priests were to keep all the heave-offerings, as the portion which belonged to them, out of the sacrificial gifts that the children of Israel offered to the Lord. , heave-offerings (see at Exo 25:2, and Lev 2:9), is used here in the broadest sense, as including all the holy gifts ( kodashim , see Lev 21:22) which the Israelites lifted off from their possessions and presented to the Lord (as in Num 5:9). Among these, for example, were, first of all, the most holy gifts in the meat-offerings, sin-offerings, and trespass-offerings (Num 18:9, Num 18:10; see at Lev 2:3). The burnt-offerings are not mentioned, because the whole of the flesh of these was burned upon the altar, and the skin alone fell to the portion of the priest (Lev 7:8). “ From the fire, ” sc., of the altar. , fire, is equivalent to ot , firing (see Lev 1:9). These gifts they were to eat, as most holy, in a most holy place, i.e., in the court of the tabernacle (see Lev 6:9, Lev 6:19; Lev 7:6), which is called “ most holy ” here, to lay a stronger emphasis upon the precept. In the second place, these gifts included also “ the holy gifts; ” viz., ( a) (Num 18:11) the heave-offering of their gifts in all wave-offerings ( tenuphoth ), i.e., the wave-breast and heave-leg of the peace-offerings, and whatever else was waved in connection with the sacrifices (see at Lev 7:33): these might be eaten by both the male and female members of the priestly families, provided they were legally clean (Lev 22:3.); ( b) (Num 18:12) the gifts of first-fruits: “ all the fat (i.e., the best, as in Gen 45:18) of oil, new wine, and corn, ” viz., , “ the first of them,” the , “ the first-grown fruits ” of the land, and that of all the fruit of the ground (Deu 26:2, Deu 26:10; Pro 3:9; Eze 44:30), corn, wine, oil, honey, and tree-fruit (Deu 8:8, compared with Lev 19:23-24), which were offered, according to 2Ch 31:5; Neh 10:36, Neh 10:38, Tob. 1:6, as first-fruits every year (see Mishnah, Bikkur, i. 3, 10, where the first-fruits are specified according to the productions mentioned in Deu 8:8; the law prescribed nothing in relation to the quantity of the different first-fruits, but left this entirely to the offerer himself); ( c) (Num 18:14) everything placed under a ban (see at Lev 27:28); and ( d) (Num 18:15-18) the first-born of man and beast. The first-born of men and of unclean beasts were redeemed according to Num 3:47; Exo 13:12-13, and Lev 27:6, Lev 27:27; but such as were fit for sacrifice were actually offered, the blood being swung against the altar, and the fat portions burned upon it, whilst the whole of the flesh fell to the portion of the priests. So far as the redemption of human beings was concerned (Num 18:16), they were “ to redeem from the monthly child, ” i.e., the first-born child as soon as it was a month old.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
8 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever. 9 This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons. 10 In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee. 11 And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it. 12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee. 13 And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it. 14 Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine. 15 Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem. 16 And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. 17 But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD. 18 And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine. 19 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.
The priest’s service is called a warfare; and who goes a warfare at his own charges? As they were well employed, so they were well provided for, and well paid. None shall serve God for nought. All believers are spiritual priests, and God has promised to take care of them; they shall dwell in the land, and verily they shall be fed, and shall not want any good thing. Godliness has the promise of the life that now is. And from this plentiful provision here made for the priests the apostle infers that it is the duty of Christian churches to maintain their ministers; those that served at the altar lived upon the altar. So those that preach the gospel should live upon the gospel, and live comfortably, 1Co 9:13; 1Co 9:14. Scandalous maintenance makes scandalous ministers. Now observe, 1. That much of the provision that was made for them arose out of the sacrifices which they themselves were employed to offer. They had the skins of almost all the sacrifices, which they might sell, and they had a considerable share out of the meat-offerings, sin-offerings, c. Those that had the charge of the offerings had the benefit, <i>v. 8. Note, God’s work is its own wages, and his service carries its recompence along with it. Even in keeping God’s commandments there is great reward. The present pleasures of religion are part of its pay. 2. That they had not only a good table kept for them, but money likewise in their pockets for the redemption of the first-born, and those firstlings of cattle which might not be offered in sacrifice. Thus their maintenance was such as left them altogether disentangled from the affairs of this life; they had no grounds to occupy, no land to till, no vineyards to dress, no cattle to tend, no visible estate to take care of, and yet had a more plentiful income than any other families whatsoever. Thus God ordered it that they might be the more entirely addicted to their ministry, and not diverted from it, nor disturbed in it, by any worldly care or business (the ministry requires a whole man); and that they might be examples of living by faith, not only in God’s providence, but in his ordinance. They lived from hand to mouth, that they might learn to take no thought for the morrow; sufficient for the day would be the provision thereof: and they had no estates to leave their children, that they might by faith leave their children, that they might by faith leave them to the care of that God who had fed them all their lives long. 3. Of the provision that was made for their tables some is said to be most holy (Num 18:9; Num 18:10), which was to be eaten by the priests themselves, and in the court of the tabernacle only; but other perquisites were less holy, of which their families might eat, at their own houses, provided they were clean, v. 11-13. See Lev. xxi. 10, c. 4. It is commanded that the best of the oil, and the best of the wine and wheat, should be offered for the first-fruits unto the Lord, which the priest were to have, <i>v. 12. Note, We must always serve and honour God with the best we have, for he is the best, and best deserves it; he is the first, and therefore must have the first ripe. Those that think to save charges by putting God off with the refuse do but deceive themselves, for God is not mocked. 5. All this is given to the priests by reason of the anointing, v. 8. It was not for the sake of their personal merits above other Israelites that they had these tributes paid to them, be it known unto them; but purely for the sake of the office to which they were anointed. Thus all the comforts that are given to the Lord’s people are given them by reason of the anointing which they have received. It is said to be given them by an ordinance for ever (v. 8), and it is a covenant of salt for ever, v. 19. As long as the priesthood should continue this should continue to be the maintenance of it, that this lamp might not go out for want of oil to keep it burning. Thus provision is made that a gospel ministry should continue till Christ comes, by an ordinance for ever. Lo, I am with you (that is their maintenance and support) always, even to the end of the world. Thanks be to the Redeemer, it is the word which he has commanded to a thousand generations.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 8-19:
Verses 1-7 define the charge given to Aaron and his son. Verse 8 begins a list of the provisions God appointed for their maintenance.
“Charge,” mishmereth, “a thing to be watched,” here the “keeping” for the use of Aaron’s sons.
The provision for the priests and their families included:
1. The Heave Offerings, see Ex 29:22-28; Le 7:32 This included the right shoulder from the Peace, Sin, and Trespass Offerings, along with the bread (meat) offerings which accompanied them.
2.The Wave Offerings, those offerings “waved” before the Lord as a token of His ownership; Ex 29:22-28; Le 7:32-34
3. The “best” of the grain, oil, and wine, consisting of the firstfruits of the harvest, see Ex 23:16-19; Le 23:10-14. These were to be offered as a Wave Offering unto the Lord.
4. the firstborn of the animals, see Ex 13:2, 12-15. Exceptions to this were the firstborn children, and the firstborn of the unclean’ beasts. These were to be redeemed.
This was to be a perpetual ordinance in Israel, to provide for the priests the sons of Aaron and their families,
“Covenant of salt,” see comments on Le 2:13; read also 2Ch 13:5; Eze 43:24.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
8. And the Lord spake unto Aaron. He now proceeds to state more fully what he had been lately adverting to, as to the rights of the priests with respect to the sacred oblations. We must, however, remember the contrast, which I spoke of, between the priests of the higher order and the Levites; for, whilst the family of Aaron is invested with peculiar honors, the other families of the tribe of Levi are abased. God, then, assigns to the priests alone all the offerings, in which was the greater consecration, called “the holy of holinesses.” (208) An exception will afterwards appear; viz., that the whole was to be deposited, by way of honor, with the priests, out of which they were to pay a part to the Levites, who were performing their office in the service of the sanctuary. He tells them that this privilege is given them “by reason of the anointing,” lest the priests should pride themselves or magnify themselves on this score; for God’s gratuitous liberality ought to instruct us in modesty and humility. It is by this argument that Paul corrects and represses all vain boasting: “Why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1Co 4:7.) Now, the sons of Aaron had obtained their anointing by no other right, than that God had been pleased to elect them to it. This is also indicated by their privilege being spoken of as “a gift:” but God thus more expressly commends His grace, for He makes mention of His gift for another reason, i.e., that none should enter into any dispute or controversy with the priests on this point.
(208) A. V. “The most holy things:” “the holy of holies:” Ainsworth, whose note is, “ Heb. ‘of the holiness of holinesses,’ i.e., of the most holy things; which the Greek translateth ‘of the hallowed (or sanctified) holy things.’ Some oblations in the sanctuary are called holy, and, by the Hebrew doctors, light holy things, some holy of holies, i.e., most holy things,” etc.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(8) The charge of mine heave offerings.See Lev. 7:34, and Num. 18:11 of this chapter.
Unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing.Better, unto thee have I given them for an anointing portion. (See Lev. 7:35, and Note.)
By an ordinance for ever.Better, as an eternal statute.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
THE PRIESTLY REVENUES, Num 18:8-20.
8. The charge Hebrew, the keeping of all holy gifts for their portion instead of a territorial allotment in Canaan. See Lev 7:35; Jos 13:14, notes.
Heave offerings The Hebrew word t’roomah is here used in its broadest sense, as in Exo 25:2; Lev 2:9, including all the holy gifts. See Lev 21:22, note. For the proper heave offering see Lev 7:14, note.
An ordinance for ever See Lev 3:17, note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Priests’ Share of the Sacrifices
v. 8. And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave-offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel, v. 9. This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat-offering of theirs, and every sin-offering of theirs, and every trespass-offering of theirs which they shall render unto Me shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons. v. 10. In the most holy place, v. 11. And this is thine: the heave-offering of their gift, v. 12. All the best of the oil and all the best of the wine and of the wheat, the first-fruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee. v. 13. And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the Lord, v. 14. Everything devoted in Israel, v. 15. Everything that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the Lord, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine, v. 16. And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the Sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. v. 17. But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat thou shalt not redeem; they are holy. v. 18. And the flesh of them shall be thine; as the wave-breast and as the right shoulder, v. 19. 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 forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord unto thee and to thy seed with thee,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
I have thrown all these verses together, because one general remark will be found applicable to all. And the observation that seems to meet us, in the perusal of what is here said concerning the provision made by GOD for the priests and Levites in his service, will, by a parity of reasoning, be found applicable in all ages of the church to the LORD’S servants. As they are not their own, but his whom they serve, so they are supposed to have neither time nor ability to provide for themselves in the common wants of life, and therefore the LORD himself appoints what their supplies should be. All their ministrations, their knowledge, time, gifts, graces, talents, were to be dedicated for the benefit of the people: yea, their very souls, (as the apostle Paul says,) faithful servants in the ministry are willing to impart for JESUS’S sake, and the gospel’s. 1Th 2:8 . Hence, therefore, the LORD himself undertakes by this appointment to provide for them. “Thou shalt have none inheritance among thy brethren, I am thy part and thine inheritance, saith the LORD.” See 1Co 9:13-14 . Reader! detach this idea from the mere temporal provision of things, and apply it to the gospel ministry, as it concerns spirituals; and what an animated thought is it to every faithful servant of JESUS! Were I speaking to one of this description I would say, Remember the LORD is your portion. Your springs are all in JESUS. Your life is hid with CHRIST in GOD. Like your master you have meat to eat, which the world knoweth not of. What if all streams fail, if JESUS be your fountain! Oh! the ravishing thought when JEHOVAH saith to the soul, Fear not I am thy shield, and thine exceeding great reward! Gen 15:1 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
spake. See note on Num 1:1.
hallowed = holy. See note on “holy”, Exo 3:5.
the anointing. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the priesthood associated with it.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the charge: Num 18:9, Lev 6:16, Lev 6:18, Lev 6:20, Lev 6:26, Lev 7:6, Lev 7:32-34, Lev 10:14, Lev 10:15, Deu 12:6, Deu 12:11, Deu 26:13
by reason: Exo 29:21, Exo 29:29, Exo 40:13, Exo 40:15, Lev 7:35, Lev 8:30, Lev 21:10, Isa 10:27, Heb 1:9, 1Jo 2:20, 1Jo 2:27
Reciprocal: Exo 12:14 – by an ordinance Lev 7:14 – the priest’s Lev 23:20 – holy to Num 5:9 – offering Num 15:15 – an ordinance Num 18:11 – the heave Num 18:19 – the heave Num 31:41 – Eleazar Deu 18:1 – they shall Deu 33:11 – his substance 1Sa 2:28 – did I give 2Ki 12:16 – trespass money 2Ch 31:4 – the portion Eze 44:16 – keep Mal 2:5 – covenant 1Co 9:13 – they
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 18:8-9. Having pointed out to him the duties of his function, now follows a detail of the emoluments annexed to it; which emoluments are expressly declared to be for Aaron and his sons That is, for the high- priest, who undoubtedly had a principal portion, and for the inferior priests. I also have given thee the charge I have bestowed them upon thee for thine use, with a charge that none have them but thyself. By reason of the anointing Because thou art anointed with the sacred oil, and thereby consecrated to the office of priest, see Lev 8:12. Most holy things Such as were to be eaten only by the priests, and that in the sanctuary. Reserved from the fire That is, such sacrifices, or parts of sacrifices, as were not burned in the fire. Which they shall render unto me By way of compensation for a trespass committed against me, in which case a ram was to be offered, which was a most holy thing, and may be particularly designed here.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 18:8-20. The Dues to be Received by the Priests from the People.These embrace all those portions of the things offered unto the Lord which are not required to be burnt; and in detail are (a) the meal offerings, less a handful or other small quantity (Lev 2:2 f., Lev 2:9 f., Lev 6:15 f.); (b) the sin offerings (except those for the high priest and the congregation), less the fat (Lev 4:26; Lev 4:31; Lev 4:35); (c) the guilt offerings, less the fat and certain other parts (Lev 7:3 f.); (d) the breast and the thigh of the gift (i.e the peace offerings, Lev 7:28 f.); (e) the best of the oil, wine, and corn (the amount not being defined); (f) the first-ripe fruits (of trees); (g) devoted things (i.e. probably things dedicated to Yahweh by individuals, Lev 27:28); (h) the flesh, less the fat, of the first-born of clean animals, and the redemption money (five shekels) for the first-born male of man, and the value (whatever it might be, Lev 27:12) of the firstlings of unclean animals. This list of prescribed emoluments is not exhaustive, for the priests were also (according to P) to receive a tithe of the tithes of corn, wine, and oil (see Num 18:25-32), the skin of the burnt offerings (Lev 7:8), the shewbread (Lev 24:5-9), portions of the offerings made by Nazirites (Num 6:19 f.), and the money payments required in various cases (Num 5:8, Lev 22:14); and, in addition, they would naturally participate in the 48 cities assigned to the tribe of Levi (Num 35:1-8). The share of the sacrifices here assigned by P to the priests brings into relief the incompatible character of many of the statements made in Nu., inasmuch as the only persons who in the time of Moses could profit by the offerings made by the vast numbers of people represented in Num 1:46, Were Aaron and his two surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar.
Num 18:8. the charge of mine heave offerings: better, the reserved parts of the contributions made to me.by reason of the anointing: better (mg.), for a portion.
Num 18:10. as the most holy things: better, in a holy place, i.e. in the court of the Tabernacle (Lev 6:16-26).
Num 18:11. the heave offering: better, the contribution the breast and the thigh, of which the former was specifically the wave offering, Num 18:18).
Num 18:12. the best: in Heb. (see mg.) the fat, which was the best part of an animal sacrifice (and hence offered to Yahweh): the term was accordingly applied to the choicest of other things also (cf. Deu 32:14).
Num 18:13. the first-ripe fruit: the offering of such was a common practice among primitive peoples, for since the growth of vegetation was ordinarily regarded as due to the power of a local or tribal god, the earliest produce was naturally thought to embody the gods creative force in the most intense degree, and so to be dangerous for any but a sacred person to eat.
Num 18:15. redeem: better, cause to be redeemed, and so in Num 18:16 f.
Num 18:16. and those, etc.: render (after LXX) as in mg.shekel . . . sanctuary: see on Num 3:47.
Num 18:17. sprinkle: better, pour; the sprinkling enjoined in Num 19:4; Num 19:18 was a different process from that prescribed here.
Num 18:19. a covenant of salt: i.e. an inviolable covenant (based on the idea that the sharing of the same food, of which salt was an accompaniment, involved a bond of friendship); cf. Lev 21:3, 2Ch 13:5. [But this ordinance of salt creates only a temporary bond (RS2, 270); and Trumbull has shown that salt is often a symbol for life, since it arrests decay. This explains, better than the usual view, how salt came to stand for perpetuity. See Salt in HSDB, and Trumbulls Covenant of Salt.A. S. P.]
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
18:8 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave {d} offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.
(d) As the first fruit, first born, and the tithes.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
God gave Aaron these instructions too (Num 18:8). The priests received all the heave offerings that the Israelites brought to the tabernacle. These were all the gifts that the people presented to God (Num 18:8-9; cf. Num 5:9). They included parts of the meal, sin, and trespass offerings (Num 18:9-10). The skin of some burnt offerings became the priests’ too, but Moses did not mention this, probably because its value was negligible. These were "most holy" offerings (Num 18:9). The priest also received what the offerer waved before the Lord in the peace offering (Num 18:11) and the gifts of first-fruits that the people offered each year (Num 18:12; cf. 2Ch 31:5; Neh 10:36; Neh 10:38).