Numbers 18:8

“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, etc.] Having pointed out to him the duty of his office, he now informs him of the perquisites of it; or having told him what was his work, now what his wages, or what was his service, and now his maintenance: behold, I also have given thee the charge of my heave offerings, of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; such as the heave shoulder and wave breast, and firstfruits, and all other holy things in general, such as were the most holy things; as in (<041809>Numbers 18:9); and the lighter holy things, as the Jews call them, (<041811>Numbers 18:11); the charge of these was given to keep for themselves, and for their families: unto thee have I given…”

“THE PRIESTS' PORTION. (Num 18:8-20) the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of my heave offerings--A recapitulation is made in this passage of certain perquisites specially appropriated to the maintenance of the priests. They were parts of the votive and freewill offerings, including both meat and bread, wine and oil, and the first-fruits, which formed a large and valuable item.”

“By reason of the anointing - See Leviticus 7:35. return to 'Top of Page'”

“I have given them - Not only the charge, but the use of them for thyself and family. By reason of the anointing - That is, because thou art priest, and art to devote thyself wholly to my service. Numbers 18:9”

“18:8-14 The priests and Levites were to be supported by the sacrificial system (see, e.g., Lev 7:28-36). God’s appointed representatives deserve compensation for their efforts (cp. Matt 10:9-10; 1 Cor 9:3-10).”

“the charge: Num 18:9; Lev 6:16, Lev 6:18, Lev 6:20, Lev 6:26, Lev 7:6, Lev 7:32-34, Lev 10:14, Lev 10:15; Deu 12:6, Deu 12:11, Deu 26:13 by reason: Exo 29:21, Exo 29:29, Exo 40:13, Exo 40:15; Lev 7:35, Lev 8:30, Lev 21:10; Isa 10:27; Heb 1:9; Jo1 2:20, Jo1 2:27 Numbers 18:9”

“The Revenues of the Priests. - These are summed up in Num 18:8 in these words, "I give thee the keeping of My heave-offerings in all holy gifts for a portion, as an eternal statute." The notion of משׁמרת, keeping, as in Exo 12:6; Exo 16:23, Exo 16:32, is defined in the second parallel clause as משׁחה, a portion (see at Lev 7:35). The priests were to keep all the heave-offerings, as the portion which belonged to them, out of the sacrificial gifts that the children of Israel offered to the Lord. תּרוּמת, heave-offerings (see at Exo 25:2, and Lev 2:9), is used here in the broadest sense, as including all the holy gifts (kodashim, see Lev 21:22) which the Israelites lifted off from their…”