Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.

NUMBERS 18:29KJV
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Numbers 18:29 (KJV)

What does Numbers 18:29 mean?

Numbers 18:29 instructs the Israelites to give the very best and most sacred portion of their gifts as an offering to the LORD. The verse emphasizes that only the choicest part of what they receive should be set aside for God, not leftovers or lesser quality.

In this context, God is speaking to Moses, who is relaying instructions to the Levites about how to handle the offerings given by the Israelites. The Levites, who receive gifts from the people, are themselves required to select the finest part of these gifts and present it as a special offering to God. This command highlights the importance of honoring God with the best, not just fulfilling a duty.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 18:29

  • "gifts" (תְּרוּמֹתֵיכֶם, terumoteykhem): This word refers to contributions or offerings that are set apart for a special purpose, showing that these are not ordinary possessions but things dedicated to God.
  • "offer" (תָּרִימוּ, tarimu): This verb means to lift up or set apart, often used for offerings that are symbolically elevated to God, underlining the act of dedicating something as special.
  • "offering" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This is the specific term for a heave offering, a portion lifted up and given to God, indicating a sacred act of giving.
  • "best" (חֵלֶב, chelev): This word often means the richest or choicest part, such as the best portion of produce or meat, stressing that God is to receive what is most valuable.
  • "part" (מִן־קָדְשׁוֹ, min-qodsho): This phrase refers to the holy or consecrated portion, reinforcing that what is given must be set apart as sacred.

Why Numbers 18:29 matters

  • Numbers 18:29 clarifies that God expects offerings to come from the best, not just what is left over, correcting any idea that any portion is acceptable.
  • The verse highlights the responsibility of the Levites, who themselves must honor God with the best of what they receive, showing that everyone is accountable to the same standard.
  • This instruction connects to the larger passage about the duties and privileges of the Levites, emphasizing that even those who serve in the sanctuary are called to give God their best.

Where else these words appear

“gifts” Hebrew H4979 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 25:6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
  • Deuteronomy 16:17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

“offering” Hebrew H8641 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
  • Numbers 15:19 Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

“best” Hebrew H2459 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • Leviticus 7:23 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat.
  • 1 Samuel 2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

“part” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.