Bible Strands
Numbers 31:30
From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God instructs Moses and the Israelite commanders during the distribution of Midianite spoils. The command is given immediately after the priestly portion is designated, directing the allocation of the congregation's share.
The words — The phrase וּ/מִ/מַּחֲצִ֨ת (u./mi./ma.cha.Tzit) literally means "and from the half," identifying the specific portion from which the tithe is drawn. The verb תִּקַּ֣ח (ti.Kach) commands "you will take," establishing a mandatory extraction rather than a voluntary gift.
The thread — This provision for sanctuary maintenance aligns with Numbers 3:7, 3:25, and 3:31, which outline the Levites' assigned duties and the material support required for the Tent of Meeting.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that ongoing temple service depends on a fixed, non-negotiable portion of communal wealth. It establishes a concrete administrative obligation to sustain the personnel guarding the sanctuary.
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
And of the children of Israel’s half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the Lord.
Cross-references
- Numbers 3:7 They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle.
- Numbers 3:25 The duties of the Gershonites at the Tent of Meeting were the tabernacle and tent, its covering, the curtain for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,
- Numbers 3:31 Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.
- Numbers 3:36 The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items,
- Numbers 18:1 So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood.
- Numbers 18:23 The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.
- Numbers 31:28 Set aside a tribute for the LORD from what belongs to the soldiers who went into battle: one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, or sheep.
- 1 Chronicles 9:27 They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they were responsible for guarding it and opening it every morning.
- 1 Chronicles 23:32 So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.
- 1 Chronicles 26:20 Now their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things.