All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.

NUMBERS 18:12KJV
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Numbers 18:12 (KJV)

What does Numbers 18:12 mean?

Numbers 18:12 says that all the best portions of oil, wine, and wheat—the first and finest parts offered by the Israelites to God—are given by God to the priests. This verse explains that these select offerings, brought as firstfruits to the LORD, are set aside for the priests’ use.

In Numbers 18:12, God is speaking to Aaron, the high priest, about what portions of the Israelites’ offerings belong to the priests. The setting is God giving instructions to Aaron and his sons about their share of the offerings, as part of their service in the tabernacle. The verse highlights that the priests receive not just any part, but the very best of the produce that people bring as gifts to God.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 18:12

  • The word "best" (חֵלֶב, chelev) is used twice and means the richest or choicest part. Here, it stresses that the priests are given the highest quality portions, not leftovers.
  • "Oil" (יֵצֶר, yetser), "wine" (תִּירוֹשׁ, tirosh), and "wheat" (דָּגָן, dagan) are the main agricultural products in ancient Israel, showing the priests’ share comes from the core of Israel’s harvest.
  • "Firstfruits" (רֵאשִׁית, reshith) means the first and best part of the harvest, which was considered especially dedicated to God.
  • "Offer" (נָתַן, natan) is the word for "give," underlining that these gifts are both offered by the people and then given by God to the priests.

Why Numbers 18:12 matters

  • Numbers 18:12 clarifies that the priests’ support comes directly from the people’s offerings, showing a practical way the community provided for its spiritual leaders.
  • The verse emphasizes that God wants the priests to receive the best, not just what is left over, highlighting the value placed on their service.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section where God is explaining the responsibilities and privileges of the priesthood, helping the Israelites understand how worship and daily life were connected.

Where else these words appear

“oil” Hebrew H3323 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
  • Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

“wine” Hebrew H8492 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • 2 Chronicles 32:28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
  • Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

“wheat” Hebrew H1715 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • Nehemiah 5:2 For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
  • Lamentations 2:12 They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.

“firstfruits” Hebrew H7225 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • 1 Samuel 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.