They shall eat equal portions, even though he has received money from the sale of his father’s estate.
Parallel translations
- WEB They shall have like portions to eat, in addition to that which comes from the sale of his family possessions.
- KJV They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.
- NKJV They shall have equal portions to eat, besides what comes from the sale of his inheritance.
- NASB They shall eat equal portions, except for what they receive from the sale of their fathers’ estates.
- NLT He may eat his share of the sacrifices and offerings, even if he also receives support from his family.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Serving Levites shared equally in the sanctuary's provisions, regardless of any private family income. God's servants were to be provided for fairly and without partiality.
Overview
A Levite who came to minister received an equal share of the offerings, in addition to whatever he gained from selling family property. This ensured fairness and prevented some from being disadvantaged in their service. It models the equity and generosity that should mark the care of those who labor in God's work.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Neh 12:44And on that same day men were appointed over the rooms that housed the supplies, contributions, firstfruits, and tithes. The portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites were gathered into these storerooms from the fields of the villages, because Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who were serving.
- Neh 12:47So in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers. They also set aside daily portions for the Levites, and the Levites set aside daily portions for the descendants of Aaron.
- Luke 10:7Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
- 2 Chr 31:4Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.
- 1 Tim 5:17–18Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
- Lev 7:14From the cakes he must present one portion of each offering as a contribution to the LORD. It belongs to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offering.
- Lev 7:8–9As for the priest who presents a burnt offering for anyone, the hide of that offering belongs to him.
- 1 Cor 9:7–14Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 18:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.