Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.

NUMBERS 18:30KJV
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Numbers 18:30 (KJV)

What does Numbers 18:30 mean?

Numbers 18:30 explains that when the Levites set aside the best part of the offerings they receive, the rest of what remains is considered their own, just as if it were produce they had harvested themselves. This verse clarifies that the Levites are allowed to keep and use what is left after giving the best portion to God.

In this verse, God is instructing Moses to tell the Levites about their share of the offerings brought by the Israelites. The Levites do not own land or farm like the other tribes, so their "increase" comes from what the people bring. After the Levites "heave" or lift up the best part as an offering, the remainder is counted as their rightful income, similar to the harvest from a threshing floor or winepress.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 18:30

  • "heaved" (רוּם, rum): This word means to lift up or offer. Here, it refers to the Levites setting aside the best part of their received offerings, showing a deliberate act of dedication to God.
  • "best" (חֵלֶב, chelev): This word often means the choicest or richest part. The Levites are to give the finest portion, not just any part, highlighting the importance of giving God the best.
  • "counted" (חָשַׁב, chashav): This word means to consider or reckon. The rest of the offering is officially regarded as the Levites’ own, not as something still belonging to God.
  • "increase" (תְּבוּאָה, tevuah): This word means produce or yield. The verse compares the Levites’ share to the regular harvest, making it clear that this is their legitimate provision.

Why Numbers 18:30 matters

  • Numbers 18:30 clears up any confusion about whether the Levites could use the offerings after giving God His portion; it confirms that the remainder is truly theirs.
  • The verse emphasizes fairness and provision for the Levites, who depend on these offerings instead of farming their own land.
  • By comparing the Levites’ share to the harvest from a threshing floor or winepress, the verse helps readers understand that their income is just as real and valid as that of any other Israelite.

Where else these words appear

“winepress” Hebrew H3342 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 18:27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.
  • Job 24:11 Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.
  • Hosea 9:2 The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.

“threshingfloor” Hebrew H1637 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • 1 Samuel 23:1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.

“increase” Hebrew H8393 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 47:24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
  • Deuteronomy 14:28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
  • Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

“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.