Lexical Summary apodekatoo: To tithe, to give a tenth Original Word: ἀποδεκατόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance give, pay, or take a tithe.From apo and dekatoo; to tithe (as debtor or creditor) -- (give, pay, take) tithe. see GREEK apo see GREEK dekatoo Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 586: ἀποδεκατεύωἀποδεκατεύω, Luke 18:12, for ἀποδεκατόω which see; (cf. WHs Appendix, p. 171). STRONGS NT 586: ἀποδεκατόωἀποδεκατόω, ἀποδεκατῶ, infinitive present ἀποδεκατοιν, Hebrews 7:5 T Tr WH (cf. Delitzsch at the passage; Buttmann, 44 (38); (Tdf.s note at the passage; WH. Introductory § 410)); (δεκατόω which see); a Biblical and ecclesiastical word; the Sept. for עָשַׂר; to tithe i. e. 1. with the accusative of the thing, to give, pay, a tenth of anything: Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; Luke 18:12 where T WH, after manuscripts א* B only, have adopted ἀποδεκατεύω, for which the simple δεκατεύω is more common in Greek writings; (Genesis 28:22; Deuteronomy 14:21 (22)). 2. τινα, to exact, receive, a tenth from anyone: Hebrews 7:5; (1 Samuel 8:15, 17). (B. D. under the word Strong’s Greek 586 speaks of the act of “tithing,” the deliberate setting apart of one-tenth of one’s increase for the Lord. In Scripture this practice functions less as a mere financial calculation and more as a concrete acknowledgment that God is sovereign over all possessions and income. Occurrences in the New Testament • Matthew 23:23 In each passage the word underlines either the actual giving of a tenth or the claim to do so. The contexts expose contrasting attitudes—self-righteous ostentation, legal duty, and priestly right—thereby sharpening the ethical and theological contours of tithing in the new covenant era. Old Testament Background The concept is rooted in Genesis 14:20, where Abram gives Melchizedek “a tenth of everything,” and in Genesis 28:22, where Jacob vows a tenth to God. Under the Mosaic law, Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-32, and Deuteronomy 14:22-29 regulate the tithe, assigning it to the Levites and to festival and charity purposes. Thus the tithe simultaneously sustained worship, enabled ministry, and relieved the needy. Theological Significance 1. Lordship: Returning ten percent reminded Israel that the whole harvest belonged to God (Psalm 24:1). External Righteousness versus Internal Transformation Jesus’ woes expose the danger of substituting precise bookkeeping for wholehearted obedience: “You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former” (Matthew 23:23). The Pharisees’ scrupulous tithing of garden herbs illustrates how spiritual pride can hide behind meticulous giving. Conversely, genuine generosity springs from “justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” Christological Implications Hebrews 7:5-10 employs the Levitical right to collect tithes to prove that the priesthood of Jesus—typified by Melchizedek—transcends the Levitical order. The act of tithing becomes a literary device to demonstrate Christ’s superiority, not merely a financial obligation. Pastoral and Ministry Application • Stewardship: Tithing remains a practical baseline, orienting the believer’s budget around the kingdom. Historical Church Practice Early Christian writers such as Irenaeus and Tertullian encourage proportional giving, though not always fixed at ten percent. By the fourth century, tithes were formalized to support clergy and poor relief. The Reformers generally upheld the principle while cautioning against legalism. Key Themes for Teaching and Preaching 1. Ownership and Trust Related Concepts Offerings, Firstfruits, Levites, Melchizedek, Stewardship, Generosity Strong’s 586 thus focuses attention on far more than a tenth; it summons believers to wholehearted devotion that honors God with both substance and spirit. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 23:23 V-PIA-2PGRK: ὑποκριταί ὅτι ἀποδεκατοῦτε τὸ ἡδύοσμον NAS: hypocrites! For you tithe mint KJV: for ye pay tithe of mint INT: hypocrites for you pay tithes of mint Luke 11:42 V-PIA-2P Luke 18:12 V-PIA-1S Hebrews 7:5 V-PNA Strong's Greek 586 |
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