Functions of Priests Table

18:1 the guilt of the sanctuary If the sanctity of the sanctuary or priesthood is compromised, Aaron and his household (the priests) will be held responsible. The same idea is found in Exod 28:38 and Lev 22:15–16.

18:2 the tribe of Levi The responsibility of the Levites to serve with the priests and guard the sanctuary was outlined in Num 3:5–10.

18:3 the vessels of the sanctuary Refers to the furniture and other items found within the tent shrine itself (see Exod 25–27).

so both you and they will not die The Levites ministered in the courtyard of the tabernacle, but not inside the tent or near the altar. If they entered the tent or touched the altar, they would die. The same warning appears in Num 4:15.

18:5 there will no longer be wrath on the Israelites Approaching the sacred space of the tabernacle improperly brought judgment (Lev 10:6; Num 16:40). In Lev 10, Aaron’s sons offered incense improperly and were struck dead (Lev 10:6). In Num 16, Korah and the men with him offered incense when challenging the authority of Moses and Aaron. They were also struck dead (16:40). This statement is likely a reminder of those tragic examples of divine wrath aroused by not following proper procedures related to sacred space.

18:7 everything at the altar The priests were responsible for the most holy aspects of service at the tabernacle—the sacrificial altar in the courtyard and the items inside the tent shrine itself (see Exod 27:1–8 and note on Num 3:26).

stranger The Hebrew word used here, zar, refers to anyone who might approach the sacred area without authorization. This warning relates to areas where only priests were authorized to approach. A similar warning appears in 1:51 where the outsider is any non-Levite who trespasses too close to the tent of meeting.

18:9 from the fire For most sacrifices and offerings, only a representative portion was actually burned on the altar (see note on Lev 2:2). The rest of the offering went to the priests. The priests received portions from the grain offering (minchah; Lev 2:3; 5:13; 6:9), the purification offering (chatta'th; Lev 4:25–26), and the reparation offering (asham; Lev 7:1–6), as well as the hide of the burnt offering (olah; Lev 7:8).

18:10 in the most holy place The priests ate their portions in the tabernacle on the same day (Lev 6:9, 19; 7:6).

18:11 is clean Only members of a priestly household who were ritually pure could eat the food received through sacrifices and offerings. If they were unclean, they could transmit their impurity to the offerings and defile them (Lev 22:2–3).

18:12 best The first and best of the oil, wine, and grain was to be offered to Yahweh (Prov 3:9). Here the priests are identified as the ultimate recipients of those offerings (compare Deut 18:3–5). Compare Lev 2:12, 14; 23:10, 17–20.

18:13 The firstfruits of This verse and Num 18:12 both describe the requirement for the Israelites to bring “firstfruits” to Yahweh. In v. 12, the Hebrew word for “first” is used (re’shith). Here the Hebrew term bikkurim is used for the first of the agricultural produce (compare Exod 23:19; 34:22; Lev 2:14). This term is related to bekhor (“firstborn”) used in Num 18:15.

18:14 All consecrated possessions The Hebrew word used here for property devoted to sacred use is cherem (see note on Josh 6:17). Cherem is a label for a category of things that have been completely devoted to a deity (in this case, Yahweh). Most things designated as cherem must be completely destroyed. Since the destruction is an act of complete consecration, the concept has a religious connotation: destruction is an act of sacrifice. However, at times people and property designated as cherem are not destroyed but become property of Yahweh under stewardship of the priests (Lev 27:28; Josh 6:19).

18:15 you will surely redeem the firstborn of the human The firstborn of both humankind and animals belonged to Yahweh (Exod 13:2). The Hebrew word bekhor is the usual term used to describe the firstborn of people and animals. Any sacrificial animals would be slaughtered and offered on the altar (Num 18:17–18). Other animals must be redeemed or killed (Exod 13:13). All human firstborn had to be redeemed (Exod 34:19–20; see note on Num 3:1–51).

18:16 As to their price of redemption, from a one-month-old you will redeem them according to your proper value, five shekels of silver according to the shekel of Five silver shekels is the same redemption price given in 3:47. Since the firstborn are redeemed at a month old, the price also lines up with the valuation found in Lev 27:6.

18:17 Their blood you will sprinkle over the altar Blood was a symbol of life, and associated with the life-giver (God). Part of rectifying one’s relationship with God involved substituting sacrificial blood to purge impurity, which could incur death.

a fragrance of appeasement A proper sacrifice is frequently described as providing an aroma that is pleasing to Yahweh. See note on Lev 1:9.

18:18 the breast section of the wave offering The Hebrew word used here, tenuphah, (literally “wave offering”) is a priestly technical term that designates an offering presented to Yahweh but not put on the altar. It is usually a portion that the priests are allowed to eat. The breast and right thigh of a sacrifice are portions commonly designated for the priests (Lev 7:30–34; 9:21; 23:20).

18:19 an eternal covenant of salt Salt was required for the grain offering and may have been used for all sacrifices (see Lev 2:13 and note; compare Ezek 43:24). The use of salt on animal sacrifices would have ensured a more complete removal of blood through absorption. Salt was the main preservative of the day (Lev 2:11), so it may have symbolized permanence and purity.

18:20 You will not receive an inheritance in their land The portions and tithes due to the Levites were deemed sufficient, and they had no need of land for agriculture or domestication of animals. When the land was allotted in the days of Joshua, the Levites did not receive any portion of it (Josh 14–18).

18:21 their service The Israelites should present the tithe in recognition of the service the Levites provided by serving in their place in such close proximity to the holy presence of Yahweh.

18:26 a tithe from a tithe The Levites were to give a 10th of the tithe they received from the other tribes to Yahweh.

18:31 is a wage in return for your service The Levites were also entitled to a portion from the contributions brought to the sanctuary because they risked death in guarding the sanctuary.

18:32 you will not defile the holy objects of This warning to the Levites echoes the warnings in Lev 22 against unintentionally defiling the food that has been consecrated as an offering to Yahweh (Lev 22:2, 9, 15). Violating the holiness of sacred objects and places was a capital offense (Exod 28:43). Compare Num 18:3 and note.