In the Old Testament, the Levitical priesthood was established by God to serve as mediators between Him and the people of Israel. The priests, who were descendants of Aaron, were given specific duties and responsibilities, including the offering of sacrifices. As part of their service, they were entitled to certain portions of the sacrifices brought by the Israelites, which served as their revenue and sustenance.

Biblical Foundation

The system of priestly revenues is outlined in several passages of the Pentateuch. In Leviticus 7:28-36, the Lord commands Moses to instruct the Israelites on the portions of the peace offerings that belong to the priests. The breast of the wave offering and the right thigh are specifically designated for Aaron and his sons. Leviticus 7:34 states, "For I have taken the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution from the sons of Israel out of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and I have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as a perpetual allotment from the sons of Israel."

Types of Sacrifices and Portions

1. Burnt Offerings: While the burnt offering was wholly consumed on the altar, the skin of the animal was given to the priest who performed the sacrifice (Leviticus 7:8).

2. Grain Offerings: A portion of the grain offering, typically a handful, was burned on the altar as a memorial portion, while the rest belonged to the priests (Leviticus 2:2-3).

3. Sin and Guilt Offerings: The meat of the sin and guilt offerings was to be eaten by the priests in a holy place, except for the fat and certain organs, which were burned on the altar (Leviticus 6:25-26, 7:6-7).

4. Peace Offerings: As mentioned, the breast and right thigh of the peace offerings were given to the priests, while the fat and certain organs were burned on the altar (Leviticus 7:31-34).

Purpose and Significance

The allocation of portions from the sacrifices served multiple purposes. It provided for the material needs of the priests, who had no inheritance of land like the other tribes of Israel (Numbers 18:20-21). This system ensured that the priests could devote themselves fully to their sacred duties without the distraction of secular labor.

Moreover, the sharing of sacrificial portions symbolized the communal aspect of worship and the covenant relationship between God, the priests, and the people. The priests, as intermediaries, facilitated the people's access to God, and their sustenance from the sacrifices underscored their role in maintaining the spiritual well-being of the nation.

Regulations and Observance

The regulations concerning the priests' portions were strictly observed, as they were considered holy. Any deviation from these instructions was met with severe consequences, as seen in the case of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were judged for their contemptuous handling of the offerings (1 Samuel 2:12-17).

In summary, the revenues of the priests from the sacrifices were an integral part of the Levitical system, reflecting the divine provision for those who served in the sacred office and emphasizing the holiness and orderliness of worship in ancient Israel.Leviticus 7:6-10,31,34
Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 6:19,20
And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them on the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair of his separation is shaven:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 18:8-11
And the LORD spoke to Aaron, Behold, I also have given you the charge of my heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; to you have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to your sons, by an ordinance for ever.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 18:3
And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give to the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether Men are Bound to Pay Tithes under a Necessity of Precept?
... tribes should give one-tenth part of their revenues to the ... is stated that the
first-born were priests, and that ... to the poor not merely the tenth part, but all ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether men are bound to 2.htm

Numbers
... place to legislation regulating the duties, relative position and revenues of the
priests and Levites ... By far the largest part of the book comes from P, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

How Herod Rebuilt the Temple and Raised it Higher and Made it More ...
... and have gained great riches and large revenues, and, what ... feet; but the breadth
of the middle part of the ... But the temple itself was built by the priests in a ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how herod rebuilt.htm

The Greeks Drew Many of their Philosophical Tenets from the ...
... gods, and the whole of the training of the priests. ... among the Egyptians, also over
the distribution of the revenues. ... said, The land; for the sea was part of it ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iv the greeks drew many.htm

How Alexander [Bala] in his War with Demetrius, Granted Jonathan ...
... of the trees, I relinquish my part of them ... I bequeath also, out of my own revenues,
yearly, for ... the temple, because they appertain to the priests that minister ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how alexander bala.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... The succession of the High-Priests, as given in Nehem ... tax on the Levitical tithes
and on all revenues of the ... destroyed; the Jews forced to take part in heathen ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of ...
... five years bring them to the hammer among your revenues. ... there are assigned the services
of priests and sacred ... in a contempt (of the gods), on the part both of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter x name christians are.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... sons of Annas the High-Priest, and that they occupied part of the ... rich, and as
despoiling by open violence the common priests of their official revenues. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... nor do we count up yearly and daily revenues; nor do ... only so, but also anointing
Kings and Priests, and judging ... died for us, to refuse on our part to forgive ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiii against the arians.htm

The Historical Situation
... officer for the administration of the revenues; in provinces ... clear development and
definite adoption as part of the ... who were looked upon as priests, nor were ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the historical situation.htm

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