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Book of Numbers - Chapter 18 - Verse 11

18:11
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.

Meaning

According to this verse, the heave offering and wave offerings of the children of Israel are to be given to the priests as their portion. This is considered holy and dedicated to the priests and their families by a perpetual statute. The Lord has instructed that any clean person in the household of the priests may partake of this offering. The heave offering symbolizes giving a portion of one's possessions as an offering to God, while the wave offering represents the act of consecrating something to God. By sharing these offerings with the priests and their families, the children of Israel show their obedience to God's commands and demonstrate their commitment to supporting the priests who serve in the temple. This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring those who are designated to serve God and ensuring that they have what they need to carry out their duties. It also serves as a reminder that God provides for His servants and expects His people to contribute to the well-being of those who minister on His behalf.

Theological Overview

In this verse from Leviticus, the Lord instructs Aaron and his sons about the allocation of offerings made by the children of Israel. The term "heave offering" refers to a portion of the offering that was lifted up or waved before the Lord as a gesture of giving it to Him. The wave offerings were presented in a similar manner. These offerings were to be given to Aaron, his sons, and daughters by a statute for eternity. Those who were considered clean in Aaron's house were allowed to partake in these offerings. This demonstrates God's provision for His priests and their families, ensuring that they would have sustenance provided for them from the sacrifices made by the people. It also reinforces the idea of purity and set-apartness in the priesthood, as only those who were ceremonially clean could partake in the offerings. Overall, this verse highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the provision He makes for those who serve Him faithfully.

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