In the biblical context, tithes refer to the practice of giving a tenth of one's produce or earnings as an offering to God. This practice is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and is integral to the religious and social life of ancient Israel. The concept of tithes being stored in the temple is particularly significant, as it underscores the role of the temple as a central place of worship and community support.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of tithing is first mentioned in Genesis 14:20, where Abram gives a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. This act sets a precedent for the later, more formalized system of tithing under the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 27:30-32 outlines the commandment for the Israelites to give a tenth of their produce and livestock to the Lord: "A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD."

Purpose and Use

The primary purpose of tithes was to support the Levitical priesthood, who had no inheritance of land among the tribes of Israel. Numbers 18:21 states, "Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting." The Levites, in turn, were required to offer a tenth of the tithes they received to the priests (Numbers 18:26).

Storage in the Temple

The storage of tithes in the temple is a practice that highlights the temple's role as a storehouse and distribution center. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 instructs the Israelites to bring their tithes every third year and store them within their towns to support the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. However, the centralization of worship in Jerusalem under King Hezekiah led to the accumulation of tithes in the temple itself. 2 Chronicles 31:5-6 describes how the Israelites brought in the firstfruits and tithes abundantly, and they were stored in heaps in the temple.

Reforms and Restoration

The storage and proper use of tithes were subjects of reform during periods of religious renewal. Nehemiah 10:37-38 records the people's commitment to bring their tithes to the storerooms of the temple, ensuring that the Levites and priests were adequately provided for. Nehemiah's reforms included appointing treasurers over the storerooms to manage the tithes and offerings (Nehemiah 13:12-13).

Prophetic Critique

The prophets often critiqued the misuse or neglect of tithing. Malachi 3:10 famously challenges the people to "bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts, "and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure." This passage underscores the connection between faithful tithing and divine blessing.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not emphasize the storage of tithes in the temple, it does affirm the principle of supporting religious leaders and the community. Jesus acknowledges the practice of tithing in Matthew 23:23, criticizing the Pharisees for neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness while meticulously tithing. The early church continued the spirit of generosity and support for its leaders and the needy, as seen in Acts 4:34-35.

In summary, the practice of storing tithes in the temple reflects the broader biblical themes of worship, community support, and stewardship. The temple served as a central hub for the collection and distribution of resources, ensuring that the religious and social needs of the community were met.Nehemiah 10:38,39
And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.
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Nehemiah 12:44
And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the first fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
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Nehemiah 13:5,12
And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
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2 Chronicles 31:11,12
Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,
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Malachi 3:10
Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, said the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Nave's Topical Index

Reformation
... to occupy an apartment connected with the temple, which heretofore ... been used as a
storeroom for tithes and offerings ... had cast out the offerings stored in the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 57 reformation.htm

The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ...
... city the vast contributions intended for the Temple were deposited by ... of the heathen,
could be safely stored in these ... Tithes and Terumoth, or first-fruits in a ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the jewish world.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... by this, that they were liable to tithes and the ... chiefly in immense caves, where
they stored their provisions ... the Great had built there a temple to Augustus. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

The Lively Stones. Rev. W. Morley Punshon.
... therefore, that men should be first stored with elementary ... At the foundation of the
second temple, amid the flare of ... twice in the week, and gives tithes of all ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the lively stones rev w.htm

Another Royal Procession
... But the text is, "Bring ye all the tithes into the ... and when he entered there he began
to purge the temple. ... out the cages of doves that were stored there for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/another royal procession.htm

An Old Subscription List
... Sacrifices and tithes and other things were imperative, but ... long gallery in which
the Crown valuables were stored. ... Wood is wanted for the Temple quite as much ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an old subscription list.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... ground from birds and beasts, collected and stored the fruits ... it no longer, and set
fire to the temple by night ... The law of tithes is established from the time of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... Kharu and Phoenicia proper paid him their tithes with due ... the pylon constructed by
the king for the temple of Amon ... was able to boast that he had stored in the ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... The material interests of the temple were too prominent, and the crime of killing
a ... kindred on certain days and by means of sacrifices, each gave tithes to the ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... while he was asleep with a tent-pin, which she drove into his temple. ... by the presence
among them of the officer charged with collecting the tithes, and Gaal ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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