King James Version

What Does Numbers 18:30 Mean?

Numbers 18:30 in the King James Version says “Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levi...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. best: Heb. fat”

Numbers 18:30 · KJV

Context

28

Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest.

29

Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it. best: Heb. fat

30

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. best: Heb. fat

31

And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.

32

And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—The word heaved (בַּהֲרִימֲכֶם baharimakhem, when you lift up) describes the physical gesture of lifting offerings toward heaven, symbolizing presentation to God. The verb counted (נֶחְשַׁב nechshav, reckoned/credited) repeats from verse 27, emphasizing divine accounting that credited Levitical service equal to agricultural labor.

The phrase increase of the threshingfloor (תְּבוּאַת גֹּרֶן tevu'at goren) and increase of the winepress (תְּבוּאַת יֶקֶב tevu'at yekev) uses the word for 'produce/harvest,' affirming that ministry work yields genuine productivity deserving economic reward. This principle undergirds Paul's teaching that those who proclaim the gospel should receive their living from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The heaving/lifting gesture in Israelite worship involved raising offerings with extended arms toward the tabernacle, symbolizing surrender to God before the gift was given to priests or placed on the altar. This physical act reinforced the theology that all giving flows through God to its final human recipients.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the physical act of 'heaving' (lifting offerings toward God) embody theological truths about giving?
  2. What does God's crediting of spiritual ministry as 'harvest increase' teach about kingdom productivity beyond material metrics?
  3. How can you develop practices that acknowledge all giving passes through God's hands before reaching human recipients?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֖1 of 12

“Therefore thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֑ם2 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּהֲרִֽימְכֶ֤ם3 of 12

“unto them When ye have heaved”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

אֶת4 of 12
H853

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

חֶלְבּוֹ֙5 of 12

“the best”

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

מִמֶּ֔נּוּ6 of 12
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְנֶחְשַׁב֙7 of 12

“thereof from it then it shall be counted”

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

לַלְוִיִּ֔ם8 of 12

“unto the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וְכִתְבוּאַ֥ת9 of 12

“and as the increase”

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

גֹּ֖רֶן10 of 12

“of the threshingfloor”

H1637

a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area

וְכִתְבוּאַ֥ת11 of 12

“and as the increase”

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

יָֽקֶב׃12 of 12

“of the winepress”

H3342

a trough (as dug out); specifically, a wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the juice drains; or the upper, in which the grapes are crushed)

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 18:30 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 18:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 6:5Matthew 10:37-39Matthew 6:33Genesis 43:11Malachi 1:8Philippians 3:8-9

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