King James Version

What Does Numbers 18:21 Mean?

Numbers 18:21 in the King James Version says “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

Numbers 18:21 · KJV

Context

19

All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

20

And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

21

And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

22

Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. and die: Heb. to die

23

But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance (נָתַתִּי natatti, I have given)—The Levitical tithe (מַעֲשֵׂר ma'aser, tenth) was not charity but covenant compensation. Since Levi received no territorial nachalah (inheritance) in the land distribution, God Himself became their portion (18:20), sustained through Israel's tithes.

For their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle (עֲבֹדָה avodah, service/worship)—This word encompasses both labor and liturgy. The Levites' full-time devotion to sacred duties freed the other tribes for agriculture and warfare, making the tithe a practical necessity for theocratic function. Paul applies this principle to gospel ministers: "Those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:14).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written during Israel's wilderness period (1445-1405 BC), this establishes the economic framework for the Levitical priesthood that would function for 1,500 years until the temple's destruction in AD 70. The tithe system ensured the priests could focus entirely on maintaining Israel's worship and teaching God's law without concern for subsistence farming.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's provision for Levites through tithes challenge modern assumptions about "voluntary" giving versus covenantal obligation?
  2. In what ways does "the LORD is my inheritance" (18:20) offer greater security than land ownership?
  3. How should the principle of supporting full-time ministry workers inform church budget priorities today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְלִבְנֵ֣י1 of 17

“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

לֵוִ֔י2 of 17

“of Levi”

H3878

levi, a son of jacob

הִנֵּ֥ה3 of 17
H2009

lo!

נָתַ֛תִּי4 of 17

“And behold I have given”

H5414

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

כָּל5 of 17
H3605

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

מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ר6 of 17

“all the tenth”

H4643

a tenth; especially a tithe

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל7 of 17

“in Israel”

H3478

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

לְנַֽחֲלָ֑ה8 of 17

“for an inheritance”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

חֵ֤לֶף9 of 17

“for”

H2500

properly, exchange; hence (as preposition) instead of

עֲבֹדַ֖ת10 of 17

“even the service”

H5656

work of any kind

אֲשֶׁר11 of 17
H834

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

הֵ֣ם12 of 17
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

עֹֽבְדִ֔ים13 of 17

“which they serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת14 of 17
H853

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

עֲבֹדַ֖ת15 of 17

“even the service”

H5656

work of any kind

אֹ֥הֶל16 of 17

“of the tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵֽד׃17 of 17

“of the congregation”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

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 18:21 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 18:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 10:37Deuteronomy 14:22-29Nehemiah 12:442 Chronicles 31:12Hebrews 7:5Nehemiah 10:29

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