Numbers 18:21-32

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 18:20-32

Here is a further account of the provision that was made both for the Levites and for the priests, out of the country. I. They must have no inheritance in the land; only cities to dwell in were afterwards allowed them, but no ground to occupy: Thou shalt not have any part among them, Num. 18:20. It is repeated again Num. 18:23; and again Num. 18:24; Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance, either by purchase or descent. God would have them comfortably provided for, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 18:21

And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance ,.... The tenth part of the produce of the land; of the wheat, barley, oil, and wine; the tenth part of their harvest and vintage; so that though they were the least of the tribes, they had the greatest share of the increase of the land, and that without any labour or expense; the other having but nine parts among them all, and at the charge and labour of manuring, cultivating, &c.; and this they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 18:22

Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation ,.... To do any part of the priest's office, as to burn incense, as Korah and his company had done; or to do any part of the work of the Levites, by watching in the tabernacle, by taking it down and setting it up, and bearing the vessels of it; otherwise they might come to it, to bring their sacrifices, to pay their vows, and for their purification when necessary, and such like things: lest they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 18:23

But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation ,.... In guarding the tabernacle, that no unclean persons enter into it, or any others take anything out of it, and in assisting the priests in their service, and carrying the vessels of the sanctuary when required: and they shall bear their iniquity : that is, when they fail in the duty of their office, are not careful in their service and work, and business appointed them; if either they did not do their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 18:24

But the tithe of the children of Israel ,.... The tenth of the produce of their land, as before: which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord : by way of gratitude to him for giving them the land, and for making it so fruitful to them, and as an acknowledgment of his being the sovereign Lord and proprietor of it: I have given to the Levites to inherit ; so that the Levites had the tithe not immediately from the Israelites, nor were they dependent on them for them; but they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 18:25

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... And not unto Aaron, because a tithe out of the tithe was to be given to Aaron, as Aben Ezra observes, and it was not so proper that he should have this order to deliver to the Levites, in which he and his sons were so much concerned, and therefore it was given to Moses to acquaint them of it: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 18:26

Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them ,.... Aaron was to tell them what a provision would be made for them on account of their service, but Moses was to inform them what part Aaron was to have out of it: when ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance ; which was done at the time of their harvest, and of the ingathering of the fruits of the earth: then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord ; in token of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 18:27

And this your heave offering ,.... The tithe of the tithe, which though not properly heaved or lifted up, as the heave offerings, strictly so called, were, any more than the tithe itself, Numbers 18:24 ; yet is so called, because separated to the use and service of the Lord, as they were: shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress ; that is, it should be as acceptable to God as if they had fields and vineyards,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 18:28

Thus you also shall offer an heave offering unto the Lord ,.... As the Israelites did when they paid tithes to them, Numbers 18:24 , of all your tithes which ye receive of the children of Israel ; which heave offering was a tenth part of them: and ye shall give thereof the Lord's heave offering to Aaron the priest ; that is, the said tenth part of the tithe was to be given not to Aaron only, as the high priest, as some have thought, and so to his successors in the high priesthood;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 18:29

Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the Lord ,.... Not only out of their tithes, but out of whatsoever gifts were given by the Israelites to them, and out of the produce of the fields which belonged to their cities, Numbers 35:4 ; the Levites were to take a tenth, and bring it to the Lord as an heave offering; that is, they were to give it to the priests, to testify their gratitude for everything they had, and to sanctify the rest unto them, and confirm their right... read more

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