Numbers 18:20-32 ▼

20 Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Aaron (light bringer), “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites (God prevails).

21 Behold, I have given to the Levites (joined to) all the tithes in Israel (he wrestles with God) as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting.

22 No longer may the Israelites (God prevails) come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die.

23 The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites (God prevails).

24 For I have given to the Levites as their inheritance the tithe that the Israelites (God prevails) present to the LORD {YHWH} as a contribution. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.”

25 And the LORD {YHWH} instructed Moses (drawn out),

26 “Speak to the Levites and tell them: ‘When you⁺ receive from the Israelites (God prevails) the tithe that I have given you⁺ as your⁺ inheritance, you⁺ must present part of it as an offering to the LORD {YHWH}—a tithe of the tithe.

27 Your⁺ offering will be reckoned to you⁺ as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress.

28 So you⁺ are to present an offering to the LORD {YHWH} from all the tithes you⁺ receive from the Israelites (God prevails), and from these you⁺ are to give the LORD’s offering to Aaron (light bringer) the priest.

29 You⁺ must present the offering due the LORD {YHWH} from all the best of every gift, the holiest part of it.’

30 Therefore say to the Levites, ‘When you⁺ have presented the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress.

31 And you⁺ and your⁺ households may eat the rest of it anywhere; it is the compensation for your⁺ work at the Tent of Meeting.

32 Once you⁺ have presented the best part of it, you⁺ will not incur guilt because of it. But you⁺ must not defile the sacred offerings of the Israelites (God prevails), or else you⁺ will die.’”