Topical Bible: Offerings: Different Kinds of Tithe

◄ Offerings: Different Kinds of Tithe ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, tithing is a practice instituted by God for the Israelites, involving the giving of a portion of one's produce or earnings as an act of worship and obedience. The concept of tithing is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and is seen as a way to support the Levitical priesthood, the community, and the work of God. The Berean Standard Bible provides several references to the different kinds of tithes, each with its specific purpose and guidelines.

1. The Levitical Tithe: This is the most commonly referenced tithe, where the Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of their produce to the Levites. The Levites, who were set apart for the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, did not have an inheritance of land like the other tribes. Therefore, the tithe served as their provision. 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, the work of the Tent of Meeting."

2. The Festival Tithe: This tithe was intended for the celebration of the Lord's appointed festivals. It was a way for the Israelites to rejoice before the Lord and to ensure that everyone, including the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows, could participate in these sacred celebrations. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 instructs, "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 the tithe 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."

3. The Poor Tithe: Every third year, the Israelites were to set aside a tithe specifically for the poor, including the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows within their towns. This tithe was a demonstration of God's concern for social justice and care for the marginalized. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 explains, "At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and lay it up within your gates. Then the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands."

4. The Tithe of the Tithe: The Levites, upon receiving the tithes from the people, were also required to offer a tenth of what they received to the Lord. This was known as the "tithe of the tithe" and was given to the priests. Numbers 18:26 states, "Speak to the Levites and tell them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I have given you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD’s offering.'"

These various tithes reflect a comprehensive system designed to support religious worship, community welfare, and social justice. They underscore the importance of generosity, stewardship, and the acknowledgment of God's provision in the life of His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 27:30
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy to the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 18:21
And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 14:22
You shall truly tithe all the increase of your seed, that the field brings forth year by year.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
... may extend from beasts of different kinds to men ... courage among you; for these different
commanders, besides ... sacrificed and offered burnt-offerings, though after ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm

Hypocrisy
... I do not say which of these two kinds is the ... are play-acting; that they are two
different people without ... it thee: but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxvii hypocrisy.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... He poured a tithe of the spoil into the coffers ... and amongst them we find many different
callings"from ... such times as were customary, the offerings and prayers ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... to have been mostly ex-voto offerings placed somewhere ... parts of the desert, the
different kinds of stone ... acts, accomplished by beings of different grades of ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... once taken place in the case of the larger kinds. ... than the Eye of Horus under different
aspects, and ... person, prepared his food, received the offerings of his ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... all the small feudal armies which had hitherto fought side by side on behalf of
the king into a single royal army in which the different kinds of troops were ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... Pentateuch in the Temple defiled all kinds of meat ... eating - at least of sacrificial
offerings - to Solomon ... like these, which occur in different Rabbinic writings ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

Letter Lii. To Nepotian.
... the tithe, [1342] and serving the altar, am supported by its offerings. ... I know the
several kinds of fish by name ... how the one body is made up of different members ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lii to nepotian.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... Another and very different conception appears from the time ... goats and kids, fish
and certain kinds of birds ... a distinction is made between the offerings of the ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ...
... the Pharisee from fear') mark various kinds of unreality ... with Epicurean maxims,
betokening a very different state of ... the ashes of all sin-offerings, and kept ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the deputation from.htm