In the biblical context, the provision for priests is a significant aspect of the religious and societal structure of ancient Israel. The priests, primarily from the tribe of Levi and specifically the descendants of Aaron, were set apart for sacred duties in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. Their provision was divinely ordained, ensuring that those who ministered before the Lord were supported by the community they served.

Levitical Inheritance

Unlike the other tribes of Israel, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead, their inheritance was the Lord Himself and the offerings made by fire to Him. Numbers 18:20-21 states, "The LORD said to Aaron, '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. Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the work of the Tent of Meeting.'"

Tithes and Offerings

The primary means of provision for the priests came through the tithes and offerings of the people. The Israelites were commanded to bring a tenth of their produce and livestock as a tithe to support the Levites. In turn, the Levites were to offer a tenth of the tithe they received to the priests, as described in Numbers 18:26-28 : "Speak to the Levites and tell them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I have given you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD’s offering. Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. So you are to present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites, and from these you must give the LORD’s offering to Aaron the priest.'"

Portions of Sacrifices

In addition to tithes, priests were allotted portions of certain sacrifices. Leviticus 7:31-34 outlines the priests' share of the peace offerings: "The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons. You are to give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from your peace offerings. The son of Aaron who presents the blood and fat of the peace offering shall have the right thigh as a portion. I have taken the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution from the Israelites and given them to Aaron the priest and his sons as a perpetual portion from the Israelites."

Firstfruits and Other Contributions

The priests also received the firstfruits of the harvest, as well as other contributions such as the redemption money for the firstborn of Israel. Deuteronomy 18:3-5 specifies, "This shall be the priests’ share from the people, from those who offer sacrifices, whether bull or sheep: They are to give the priest the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach. You are to give him the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock. For the LORD your God has chosen him and his descendants out of all your tribes to stand and minister in His name for all time."

Cities and Pasturelands

The Levites were also provided with cities and surrounding pasturelands within the territories of the other tribes. These cities served as their dwelling places and included six cities of refuge. Joshua 21:2-3 records, "They said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, 'The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to dwell in, along with pasturelands for our livestock.' So by the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites these cities and their pasturelands out of their own inheritance."

The provision for priests in ancient Israel was a comprehensive system designed to ensure that those who served in the sacred duties of worship and sacrifice were adequately supported, allowing them to focus on their spiritual responsibilities without the burden of secular labor.