King James Version

What Does Numbers 18:11 Mean?

Numbers 18:11 in the King James Version says “And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.”

Numbers 18:11 · KJV

Context

9

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.

10

In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.

11

And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.

12

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. best: Heb. fat

13

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.

Read Numbers 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it. God now describes less restrictive priestly portions. The terumah (תְּרוּמָה, "heave offering") was ceremonially lifted up, and the tenuphah (תְּנוּפָה, "wave offering") was ritually waved—both gestures dedicating the offerings to God before priests received them.

Unlike most holy offerings (verse 10), these could be eaten by priests' entire families—"thy sons and thy daughters with thee"—extending beyond males to include all household members. The phrase "by a statute for ever" (lechoq-olam, לְחָק־עוֹלָם) established permanent divine ordinance. The requirement "every one that is clean" (kol tahor, כָּל־טָהוֹר) meant ceremonially pure according to Levitical law—no one with ritual impurity could partake.

This provision cared for priestly families comprehensively. God's economy included ministers' dependents, not just the ministers themselves. The purity requirement taught that even secondary participation in holy things requires consecration. Modern application: those supported by gospel ministry should maintain lives consistent with that sacred provision, living as those set apart for God's service.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Wave and heave offerings included peace offerings' breast and thigh (Leviticus 7:30-34), firstfruits, and various voluntary gifts. These constituted substantial provision for priestly households beyond the most holy offerings reserved for priests alone. This two-tiered system—most holy for ordained priests, holy for entire priestly families—balanced exclusive priestly functions with inclusive family support. The perpetual nature (choq olam) meant this arrangement continued throughout Israel's history until the temple's destruction in AD 70. Even today, Jewish tradition maintains distinctions between Kohanim (priests), Levites, and Israelites, though without functioning temple service.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's provision for ministers' families demonstrate His comprehensive care for those in spiritual service?
  2. What does the purity requirement for eating holy things teach about the behavior expected from those supported by ministry?
  3. How should churches today balance supporting ministers' personal needs with their families' needs?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְזֶה1 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְּךָ֞2 of 20
H0
תְּרוּמַ֣ת3 of 20

“And this is thine the heave offering”

H8641

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

מַתָּנָ֗ם4 of 20

“of their gift”

H4976

a present

לְכָל5 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תְּנוּפֹת֮6 of 20

“with all the wave offerings”

H8573

a brandishing (in threat); by implication, tumult; specifically, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings

וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ7 of 20

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒8 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְךָ֣9 of 20
H0
נְתַתִּ֗ים10 of 20

“I have given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ11 of 20

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְלִבְנֹתֶ֛יךָ12 of 20

“and to thy daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אִתְּךָ֖13 of 20
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

לְחָק14 of 20

“with thee by a statute”

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

עוֹלָ֑ם15 of 20

“for ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

כָּל16 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

טָה֥וֹר17 of 20

“every one that is clean”

H2889

pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)

בְּבֵֽיתְךָ֖18 of 20

“in thy house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יֹאכַ֥ל19 of 20

“shall eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֹתֽוֹ׃20 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 18:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 18:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 18:3Leviticus 10:14Exodus 29:27-28Leviticus 7:30-34Leviticus 22:1-16Leviticus 7:14

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