And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it.

NUMBERS 18:13KJV
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Numbers 18:13 (KJV)

What does Numbers 18:13 mean?

Numbers 18:13 says that anything which is the first ripe produce of the land, brought as an offering to the LORD, belongs to the priests, and anyone in the priest’s household who is ceremonially clean may eat it. This verse sets out a specific provision for the priests from the offerings brought by the people.

In context, God is speaking to Aaron, giving instructions about what portions of Israel’s offerings are to be given to the priests. The “first ripe” refers to the earliest and best part of the harvest, which Israelites would bring as a gift to God. The verse emphasizes that these offerings are not just for the priests themselves but can be shared with their whole household, as long as the person is “clean” according to ritual standards.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 18:13

  • “First ripe” (בִּכּוּר bimkur): This word means the earliest, best part of the harvest. It highlights that God’s portion for the priests is not leftovers but the choicest produce.
  • “Land” (אֶרֶץ erets): Refers to the physical land of Israel, reminding readers that these offerings come from what God has provided in the promised land.
  • “Clean” (טָהוֹר tahor): This word means ritually pure. Only those who are ceremonially clean in the priest’s household can eat these offerings, showing the importance of ritual purity in handling holy things.
  • “House” (בַּיִת bayit): This term means household or family, not just the physical building, so the privilege extends to all members of the priest’s family who meet the requirements.

Why Numbers 18:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the priests’ provision comes from the people’s offerings, specifically the best part of the harvest, showing the value placed on those serving in the sanctuary.
  • It highlights the importance of ritual purity, as only those who are “clean” may partake, connecting daily life to the holiness required in worship.
  • Numbers 18:13 fits into a larger section where God is outlining the rights and responsibilities of the priests, helping the people understand how worship and community support are connected.

Where else these words appear

“ripe” Hebrew H1061 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
  • Leviticus 23:17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 10:35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD:

“clean” Hebrew H2889 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 7:2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
  • Exodus 39:25 And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;
  • Deuteronomy 12:15 Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.