Numbers 18:24

For I have given to the Levites as their inheritance the tithe that the Israelites present to the LORD as a contribution. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The LORD addresses Moses concerning the Levites' provision while establishing their permanent duties for the Tent of Meeting. This declaration immediately follows the command that the Levites will bear their iniquity and receive no territorial inheritance among the Israelites.

The words — מַעְשַׂר (ma'asar) identifies the tithe that replaces land as the Levites' portion. יָרִימוּ (yari'mu) describes the Israelites' action of lifting or presenting that tithe to Yahweh.

The thread — The same titine is referenced in Numbers 18:26 as the basis for the Levites' own offering to the LORD. The practice of withholding tithes is later condemned as robbing God in Malachi 3:8.

Why it lands — The text states that Yahweh directly assigns the Israelites' contributions as the Levites' inheritance, explicitly replacing territorial allotment. It requires readers to recognize that sacred service is sustained by designated community support rather than personal land or wealth.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

Cross-references

Numbers 18:26 “Speak to the Levites and tell them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you as your inheritance, you must present part of it as an offering to the LORD—a tithe of the tithe.
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings.