This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

NUMBERS 18:9KJV
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Numbers 18:9 (KJV)

What does Numbers 18:9 mean?

Numbers 18:9 explains that certain offerings brought by the Israelites, considered “most holy,” are given to Aaron and his sons as their share. These offerings, which include various types of sacrifices, are set apart for the priests and are not to be burned on the altar but reserved for their use.

In this verse, God is speaking to Aaron, the high priest, outlining which offerings from the people belong to him and his descendants. The setting is the instructions for the priesthood’s rights and duties. The verse lists specific offerings—like grain, sin, and guilt offerings—that are especially sacred and meant for the priests, highlighting their unique role and provision among Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 18:9

  • “Most holy” (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים, qodesh qadashim): This phrase means “most sacred things,” stressing that these offerings are set apart above all others for God and, by extension, for the priests.
  • “Reserved from the fire” (מִן־הָאֵשׁ, min-ha’esh): This means these portions are not burned up on the altar but are instead set aside for the priests, clarifying which parts they may eat.
  • “Oblation” (קָרְבָּן, qorban): This is a general word for an offering or gift brought near to God, emphasizing the act of drawing close through sacrifice.
  • “Meat offering” (מִנְחָה, minchah): This refers to a grain offering, not meat as in animal flesh, showing the variety of offerings included in what the priests receive.

Why Numbers 18:9 matters

  • Numbers 18:9 clarifies which offerings the priests could actually eat, preventing confusion or disputes over the sacred gifts brought by the people.
  • The verse highlights the special status and provision for Aaron’s family, showing how God provided for the priests through the worship of the community.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section where God defines the roles, privileges, and responsibilities of the priesthood, helping readers understand the structure of Israel’s worship life.

Where else these words appear

“offering” Hebrew H817 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 26:10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
  • Leviticus 7:37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;
  • Numbers 6:12 And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.

“oblation” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
  • Numbers 7:37 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: