Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Say to the Levites: ‘When you present the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress. New Living Translation “Also, give these instructions to the Levites: When you present the best part as your offering, it will be considered as though it came from your own threshing floor or winepress. English Standard Version Therefore you shall say to them, ‘When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be counted to the Levites as produce of the threshing floor, and as produce of the winepress. Berean Standard Bible Therefore say to the Levites, ‘When you have presented the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress. King James Bible Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress. New King James Version Therefore you shall say to them: ‘When you have lifted up the best of it, then the rest shall be accounted to the Levites as the produce of the threshing floor and as the produce of the winepress. New American Standard Bible And you shall say to them, ‘When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be credited to the Levites like the product of the threshing floor, and like the product of the wine vat. NASB 1995 “You shall say to them, ‘When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be reckoned to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor, and as the product of the wine vat. NASB 1977 “And you shall say to them, ‘When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be reckoned to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor, and as the product of the wine vat. Legacy Standard Bible And you shall say to them, ‘When you have raised up from it the best of it, then the rest shall be accounted to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor and as the product of the wine vat. Amplified Bible Therefore you shall say to them, ‘When you have offered the best from it, then the rest shall be credited to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor, and as the product of the wine vat. Christian Standard Bible “Tell them further: Once you have presented the best part of the tenth, and it is credited to you Levites as the produce of the threshing floor or the winepress, Holman Christian Standard Bible Tell them further: Once you have presented the best part of the tenth, and it is credited to you Levites as the produce of the threshing floor or the winepress, American Standard Version Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye heave the best thereof from it, then it shall be reckoned unto the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor, and as the increase of the winepress. Contemporary English Version After you have dedicated the best parts to me, you can eat the rest, just as the Israelites eat part of their grain and wine after offering them to me. English Revised Version Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye heave the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor, and as the increase of the winepress. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Also tell them: When you contribute the best part, your contribution will be considered to be produce from the threshing floor or winepress. Good News Translation When you have presented the best part, you may keep the rest, just as the farmer keeps what is left after he makes his offering. International Standard Version Tell them that when they bring the best from it, as far as the descendants of Levi are concerned, it is to be considered like produce from the threshing floors and wine vats. NET Bible "Therefore you will say to them, 'When you offer up the best of it, then it will be credited to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor and as the product of the winepress. New Heart English Bible "Therefore you shall tell them, 'When you heave its best from it, then it shall be reckoned to the Levites as the increase of the threshing floor, and as the increase of the winepress. Webster's Bible Translation Therefore thou shalt say to them, When ye have heaved from it the best of it, then it shall be counted to the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor, and as the increase of the wine-press. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTherefore say to the Levites, ‘When you have presented the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress. World English Bible “Therefore you shall tell them, ‘When you heave its best from it, then it shall be credited to the Levites as the increase of the threshing floor, and as the increase of the wine press. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd you have said to them: In your lifting up its fat out of it, then it has been reckoned to the Levites as increase of a threshing-floor and as increase of a wine-vat; Young's Literal Translation 'And thou hast said unto them, In your lifting up its fat out of it, then it hath been reckoned to the Levites, as increase of a threshing-floor, and as increase of a wine-vat; Smith's Literal Translation And say to them, In your offering its fat from it, and it was reckoned to the Levites as the produce of the threshing-floor, and as the produce of the wine-press. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd thou shalt say to them: If you offer all the goodly and the better things of the tithes, it shall be reckoned to you as if you had given the firstfruits of the barnfloor and the winepress: Catholic Public Domain Version And you shall say to them: ‘If you offer the noble and the better of the tithes, it shall be accounted to you as if you had given from the first-fruits of the threshing floor and of the oil and wine presses.’ New American Bible Say to them also: Once you have made your contribution from the best part, the rest of the tithe will be credited to the Levites as if it were produce of the threshing floor or the produce of the vat. New Revised Standard Version Say also to them: When you have set apart the best of it, then the rest shall be reckoned to the Levites as produce of the threshing floor, and as produce of the wine press. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore you shall say to them, When you have set apart the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted to the Levites as the produce of the threshing floor, and as the produce of the wine press. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And say to them: ‘When you separate the best of it, it shall be accounted to the Levites as crops of the granary and like crops of the wine press. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Therefore thou shalt say unto them: When ye set apart the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor, and as the increase of the wine-press. Brenton Septuagint Translation And thou shalt say to them, When ye shall offer the first-fruits from it, then shall it be reckoned to the Levites as produce from the threshing-floor, and as produce from the wine-press. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Offerings for Priests and Levites…29You must present the offering due the LORD from all the best of every gift, the holiest part of it.’ 30Therefore say to the Levites, ‘When you have presented the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress. 31And you and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere; it is the compensation for your work at the Tent of Meeting.… Cross References Leviticus 27:30-33 Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. / If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value. / Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD. ... Deuteronomy 14:22-29 You must be sure to set aside a tenth of all the produce brought forth each year from your fields. / And you are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. / But if the distance is too great for you to carry that with which the LORD your God has blessed you, because the place where the LORD your God will choose to put His Name is too far away, ... Malachi 3:8-10 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. / You are cursed with a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me. / Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure. Nehemiah 10:35-39 We will also bring the firstfruits of our land and of every fruit tree to the house of the LORD year by year. / And we will bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God. / Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor. ... 2 Chronicles 31:5-6 As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything. / And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps. Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops; / then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. / And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ... Hebrews 7:5-9 Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham. / But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. / And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater. ... Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Luke 11:42 Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. Romans 15:27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings. Galatians 6:6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. Acts 20:35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Philippians 4:17-18 Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account. / I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. Treasury of Scripture Therefore you shall say to them, When you have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted to the Levites as the increase of the threshing floor, and as the increase of the wine press. the best Numbers 18:28 Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest. Genesis 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. then it shall Numbers 18:27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. Jump to Previous Account Apart Best Counted Crushed Heave Heaved High Increase Levites Offered Part Present Press Produce Product Reckoned Rest Thereof Threshing Threshingfloor Threshing-Floor Vat When Wine Winepress Wine-PressJump to Next Account Apart Best Counted Crushed Heave Heaved High Increase Levites Offered Part Present Press Produce Product Reckoned Rest Thereof Threshing Threshingfloor Threshing-Floor Vat When Wine Winepress Wine-PressNumbers 18 1. The charge of the priests and Levites8. The priests, portion 21. The Levites, 25. The heave offering to the priests out of the Levites' portion Therefore say to the Levites This directive is given to Moses to communicate to the Levites, who were set apart for service in the tabernacle. The Levites were not given a land inheritance like the other tribes of Israel; instead, they were supported by the tithes and offerings of the people. This command underscores their unique role and the responsibilities that come with it. When you have presented the best part it will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress Persons / Places / Events 1. The LevitesA tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service in the Tabernacle. They were not given a land inheritance like the other tribes but were supported by the tithes and offerings of the Israelites. 2. The Israelites The people of God, chosen to be a holy nation. They were commanded to bring offerings and tithes to support the Levites and the work of the Tabernacle. 3. The Tabernacle The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. It was the center of worship and religious activity. 4. Threshing Floor and Winepress Agricultural terms referring to the places where grain and grapes were processed. Symbolically, they represent the source of sustenance and blessing. 5. Moses The leader of the Israelites who conveyed God's laws and instructions to the people, including the regulations concerning the Levites and their support. Teaching Points The Principle of FirstfruitsGod deserves the best of what we have, not the leftovers. This principle teaches us to prioritize God in our giving and in our lives. Supporting God’s Work Just as the Israelites supported the Levites, we are called to support those who minister and serve in the church today. This includes financial support, prayer, and encouragement. Trust in God’s Provision By giving the best part, the Israelites demonstrated trust in God’s provision. We are encouraged to trust that God will meet our needs as we honor Him with our resources. The Joy of Giving Giving should be a joyful act of worship, not a burdensome obligation. When we give cheerfully, we reflect God’s generous nature. Stewardship and Accountability We are stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Offering the best part reminds us of our responsibility to manage our resources wisely and accountably. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 18:30?2. How does Numbers 18:30 guide us in giving offerings with a pure heart? 3. What does "when you have presented the best part" teach about sacrificial priorities? 4. How can Numbers 18:30 inspire generosity in our modern Christian communities? 5. Connect Numbers 18:30 with New Testament teachings on giving and stewardship. 6. How can we apply the principle of offering the "best part" in daily life? 7. What is the significance of offerings in Numbers 18:30 for the Israelites' relationship with God? 8. How does Numbers 18:30 reflect the responsibilities of the Levites in ancient Israel? 9. Why does God instruct the Levites to offer the best part in Numbers 18:30? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 18? 11. Does the inheritance prohibition in Numbers 18:20-24 conflict with other passages that suggest Levites owned cities or land, indicating a possible textual inconsistency? 12. If Numbers 18:30-32 implies divine favor for faithful tithers, is there historical or archaeological evidence of widespread calamities resulting from neglected tithes? 13. Joshua 18:7 - Why does the text claim the Levites received no land allotment here, yet other passages (e.g., Numbers 35) suggest they inhabited specific cities? 14. How do we reconcile the mention of 48 Levite cities (Numbers 35:1-8) with limited archaeological evidence for so many Levitical settlements? What Does Numbers 18:30 Mean Therefore say to the Levites- The instruction is direct; God tells Moses to address the Levites personally (Numbers 18:24–26). - This highlights the Levites’ unique calling: they receive the tithes of Israel because they have no tribal land inheritance (Numbers 18:20). - Similar moments of personal address—where God speaks specifically to a group He has set apart—appear in Deuteronomy 10:8 and Malachi 2:4–6. - Takeaway: when God singles someone out, He also supplies clarity about their role and responsibility. When you have presented the best part - The “best part” (literally “the tithe of the tithe”) is the portion the Levites must offer to the priests (Numbers 18:27–29). - God never asks His servants to give leftovers; Abel’s acceptable offering in Genesis 4:4 and Israel’s firstfruits in Exodus 23:19 reinforce this principle. - The Levites, though receivers of tithes, are still givers. 1 Corinthians 9:13–14 echoes the pattern: those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar. It will be reckoned to you - “Reckoned” means God credits the remainder to the Levites as their legitimate income. - Romans 4:3 uses similar accounting language—God credits righteousness by faith. In both cases, God Himself does the counting. - The Levites can enjoy what they keep without guilt (Numbers 18:31), just as believers today are free to enjoy God’s provision after honoring Him first (Proverbs 3:9–10). As the produce of the threshing floor or winepress - Grain from the threshing floor and wine from the press represent staple blessings of the land (Deuteronomy 7:13). - God equates the Levites’ portion with these essential harvests, underscoring its sufficiency and dignity. - By linking their support to ordinary produce, He normalizes their livelihood; cf. Luke 10:7, “the worker is worthy of his wages.” - Practical point: faithful ministry deserves tangible, everyday support, not mere symbolic appreciation. summary Numbers 18:30 reassures the Levites that after they give God the choicest portion, whatever remains is rightfully theirs—fully blessed, fully ordinary, and fully sufficient. God speaks directly to His servants, expects first-rate offerings, personally credits what is left, and likens their provision to the land’s basic harvest. The verse teaches that honoring God first opens the way to enjoy His generous, guilt-free supply. (30) As the increase of the threshing-floor.--As the tithe rendered to the priests was to be regarded in the same light as if it had been the produce of their own labour (Numbers 18:27), so what remained after the heave-offerings had been duly set apart was to be reckoned as much the property of the Levites, and to be treated in the same manner, as the corn of the threshing-floor and the wine of the wine-press of the rest of the Israelites.Verse 30. - Thou shalt say unto them, i.e., to the Levites. When they had dedicated their tithe of the best part, the rest was theirs exactly as if they had grown it and gathered it themselves.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Therefore sayוְאָמַרְתָּ֖ (wə·’ā·mar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to [the Levites]: אֲלֵהֶ֑ם (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Once you have presented בַּהֲרִֽימְכֶ֤ם (ba·hă·rî·mə·ḵem) Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise the best part, חֶלְבּוֹ֙ (ḥel·bōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2459: Fat, richest, choice part it will be reckoned וְנֶחְשַׁב֙ (wə·neḥ·šaḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2803: To think, account [to you] לַלְוִיִּ֔ם (lal·wî·yim) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi as the produce כִּתְבוּאַ֥ת (kiṯ·ḇū·’aṯ) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 8393: Product, revenue of the threshing floor גֹּ֖רֶן (gō·ren) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1637: A threshing-floor, open area or the winepress. יָֽקֶב׃ (yā·qeḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3342: A trough, a wine-vat Links Numbers 18:30 NIVNumbers 18:30 NLT Numbers 18:30 ESV Numbers 18:30 NASB Numbers 18:30 KJV Numbers 18:30 BibleApps.com Numbers 18:30 Biblia Paralela Numbers 18:30 Chinese Bible Numbers 18:30 French Bible Numbers 18:30 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 18:30 Therefore you shall tell them When you (Nu Num.) |
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