King James Version

What Does Numbers 18:13 Mean?

Numbers 18:13 in the King James Version says “And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 18:13 · KJV

Context

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.

14

Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.

15

Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse extends the firstfruits principle beyond the three staples (verse 12) to include all early-ripening produce. Bikkurei (בִּכּוּרֵי, "first ripe") emphasizes earliest maturity—whatever reached edibility first belonged to God and His priests.

"In the land" (ba-aretz, בָּאָרֶץ) refers to Canaan, the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey. This command anticipated Israel's settlement and agricultural life, showing God's faithfulness to bring them into land-based prosperity. The repetition of the purity requirement ("every one that is clean in thine house") reinforces that participating in holy provision demands holy living.

Early fruit represented hope and thanksgiving—farmers brought the first taste of harvest before knowing whether the full crop would succeed. This required faith that God would bless the remainder. Similarly, Christian giving of firstfruits (before knowing whether we'll have enough) demonstrates trust in God's continued provision. Proverbs 3:9-10 promises that honoring God with firstfruits ensures fuller barns—generosity to God never impoverishes His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Festival of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14) and later Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-21) celebrated agricultural beginnings. Deuteronomy 26:1-11 prescribes a liturgy for bringing firstfruits to the temple, including recounting God's faithfulness from Abraham through the Exodus. This connected present abundance with salvation history. The practice continued through the Second Temple period. Jesus's resurrection occurred during Firstfruits Festival (day after Passover Sabbath), making Him literally the "firstfruits" (1 Corinthians 15:20) of the resurrection harvest—the first and guarantee of the full harvest to come.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'first ripe' blessings in your life should be consecrated to God before you enjoy the full harvest?
  2. How does bringing firstfruits—before knowing the full crop will succeed—require and build faith in God's provision?
  3. In what ways is Christ as 'firstfruits' of resurrection your guarantee of future bodily resurrection and eternal life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
בִּכּוּרֵ֞י1 of 13

“And whatsoever is first ripe”

H1061

the first-fruits of the crop

כָּל2 of 13
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֧ר3 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּאַרְצָ֛ם4 of 13

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר5 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָבִ֥יאוּ6 of 13

“which they shall bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לַֽיהוָ֖ה7 of 13

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְךָ֣8 of 13
H0
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה9 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָּל10 of 13
H3605

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

טָה֥וֹר11 of 13

“shall be thine every one that is clean”

H2889

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

בְּבֵֽיתְךָ֖12 of 13

“in thine house”

H1004

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

יֹֽאכְלֶֽנּוּ׃13 of 13

“shall eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

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 18:13 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 18:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 22:29Jeremiah 24:2Micah 7:1Hosea 9:10Exodus 23:19

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