In the biblical context, tithing refers to the practice of giving a tenth of one's income or produce to support religious institutions and the priesthood. This practice is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and was customary in later times, continuing to hold significance in the religious and communal life of the Israelites.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of tithing is first introduced in the Old Testament, where it is established as a divine ordinance. In Genesis 14:20, Abram gives a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High, marking an early instance of tithing. Later, in Genesis 28:22, Jacob vows to give a tenth to God if He blesses him.

The Mosaic Law further institutionalizes tithing as a requirement for the Israelites. Leviticus 27:30-32 states, "Thus any tithe of 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." This passage underscores the sacred nature of the tithe, which is set apart for God.

Purpose and Use

The primary purpose of tithing was to support the Levitical priesthood, who had no inheritance of land among the tribes of Israel. Numbers 18:21 explains, "Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do—the work of the Tent of Meeting." The tithe ensured that the Levites could focus on their religious duties without the burden of agricultural labor.

Additionally, tithes were used to support the poor and needy within the community. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 instructs the Israelites to set aside a tithe every third year for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that they may eat and be satisfied.

Customary Practice in Later Times

As Israelite society evolved, the practice of tithing remained a central aspect of religious life. During the period of the monarchy and beyond, tithing continued to be a means of sustaining the temple and its services. In 2 Chronicles 31:5-6, during the reign of Hezekiah, the people of Israel responded to the king's command by bringing in abundance the firstfruits and tithes of all they produced.

The post-exilic period saw a renewed emphasis on tithing as part of religious reform. Nehemiah 10:37-38 records the people's commitment to bring the firstfruits and tithes to the storerooms of the temple, ensuring the provision for the priests and Levites.

Prophetic Critique and Encouragement

The prophets often addressed the issue of tithing, critiquing the people's neglect of this duty and calling for a return to faithful practice. Malachi 3:8-10 is a notable passage where God challenges the Israelites, saying, "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings." The passage promises blessings for those who bring the full tithe into the storehouse.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not explicitly command tithing, it acknowledges the practice as part of Jewish custom. Jesus, in Matthew 23:23, criticizes the Pharisees for their meticulous tithing of herbs while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness, indicating that tithing should not overshadow the weightier matters of the law.

The early Christian community emphasized generosity and sharing resources, as seen in Acts 2:44-45, where believers held all things in common. While not a direct continuation of the tithe, this communal sharing reflects the spirit of supporting religious work and caring for the needy.

In summary, tithing in later times remained a vital practice for the Israelites, serving as a means of supporting religious institutions, the priesthood, and the community's vulnerable members. It was both a religious duty and an expression of faithfulness to God's covenant.Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 11:42
But woe to you, Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 18:12
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Nave's Topical Index

the Legendary History of Egypt
... or green hands and face, as is customary for gods ... of delicacy often lacking among
peoples of later and more ... and by means of sacrifices, each gave tithes to the ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Introduction
... to attend church, to pay first-fruits, tithes and oblations ... He was elected, we may
assume, in the customary way ... Ten years later, as we know, this "impudent bishop ...
/.../lawlor/st bernard of clairvauxs life of st malachy of armagh/introduction.htm

The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ...
... Tithes and Terumoth, or first-fruits in a prepared ... may more correctly be regarded
as later and authoritative ... the kerchief round the head, customary in those ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the jewish world.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... them of the officer charged with collecting the tithes, and Gaal ... on which, according
to the belief of a later age, the ... as far back as the earliest times of the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Ashpanda,*** Arbaku, and Khartukka,*** and many others, of whom traces ought to
be found some day among the archives of princely families of later times. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... The customary application, therefore, of the name Zend to the language of the Avesta ...
poems, and hence the story spread until it reached in later times even as ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Mystery
... whether it will come to pass sooner or later, He only ... likewise may be proved to have
been customary in the ... to be taken of sacred tenths or tithes: They were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery.htm

Opposition to Jesus.
... Thus acted later the Karaites and the Protestants ... he scandalized them much by not
observing the customary ablutions ... fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xx opposition to jesus.htm

Carey's College
... humility and self-examination of his later life, form ... It being customary in that
part of the country for ... the parsonage, the glebe, and all tithes, sending his ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter i careys college.htm

The Nuns of the Primitive Church
... for it had not yet become customary for professed ... Later on, Saint Benedict established
twelve monasteries in the ... of her convent, as secure as the tithes of his ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/vi the nuns of the.htm

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