God graciously ordains that part of every wave offering should go to support the priests.
“This also is yours, the offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the sons of Israel; I have given them to you and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual allotment. Every one of your household who is clean may eat it.” (Numbers 18:11). Here, the LORD addresses Aaron, who served as the first high priest over Israel. Aaron lived during the fifteenth century BC, serving alongside his younger brother Moses around 1446-1406 BC. In this verse, the LORD establishes that certain portions of the gifts and wave offerings brought by the Israelites will belong to Aaron and his family. The phrase “This also is yours” reveals the generosity of God toward the priestly family, underscoring how the LORD provides physically and spiritually for those He appoints to serve. This system of provision proclaims God’s intention to care for His people and those who dedicate themselves to ministry.
The gifts, known as wave offerings, were typically presented before the LORD as a symbolic gesture of lifting and waving the portion in His presence (Leviticus 7:30). Through “I have given them to you and to your sons and daughters with you” (v.11), God delegates the right to partake in these offerings. That right is described as “a perpetual allotment” (v.11), emphasizing the timelessness of God’s provision for the priestly line and hinting that even in future generations, this covenant arrangement will stand. Because the family members who consumed these offerings needed to be ritually clean according to the Law, “Every one of your household who is clean may eat it” (v.11), it points toward the necessity of holiness in receiving God’s precious gifts—an echo of the call to purity that we see repeatedly throughout the Old Testament. Later, in the New Testament, Jesus fulfills these sacrificial concepts by offering Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:27), becoming our ultimate High Priest.
Although no specific city or region is named in this verse, the conversation takes place during Israel’s wilderness journey after leaving Egypt and before entering the Promised Land. That means it is likely being spoken in the region near Mount Sinai—a significant site where God established many of His commandments (Exodus 19-20). By placing these instructions in such a holy backdrop, the text emphasizes the high calling of the priesthood and God’s abundant generosity to sustain them. This passage ultimately communicates that whenever God calls someone for a special purpose, He also extends grace and practical provision so His people can serve Him faithfully.
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Numbers 18:11 meaning
“This also is yours, the offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the sons of Israel; I have given them to you and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual allotment. Every one of your household who is clean may eat it.” (Numbers 18:11). Here, the LORD addresses Aaron, who served as the first high priest over Israel. Aaron lived during the fifteenth century BC, serving alongside his younger brother Moses around 1446-1406 BC. In this verse, the LORD establishes that certain portions of the gifts and wave offerings brought by the Israelites will belong to Aaron and his family. The phrase “This also is yours” reveals the generosity of God toward the priestly family, underscoring how the LORD provides physically and spiritually for those He appoints to serve. This system of provision proclaims God’s intention to care for His people and those who dedicate themselves to ministry.
The gifts, known as wave offerings, were typically presented before the LORD as a symbolic gesture of lifting and waving the portion in His presence (Leviticus 7:30). Through “I have given them to you and to your sons and daughters with you” (v.11), God delegates the right to partake in these offerings. That right is described as “a perpetual allotment” (v.11), emphasizing the timelessness of God’s provision for the priestly line and hinting that even in future generations, this covenant arrangement will stand. Because the family members who consumed these offerings needed to be ritually clean according to the Law, “Every one of your household who is clean may eat it” (v.11), it points toward the necessity of holiness in receiving God’s precious gifts—an echo of the call to purity that we see repeatedly throughout the Old Testament. Later, in the New Testament, Jesus fulfills these sacrificial concepts by offering Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:27), becoming our ultimate High Priest.
Although no specific city or region is named in this verse, the conversation takes place during Israel’s wilderness journey after leaving Egypt and before entering the Promised Land. That means it is likely being spoken in the region near Mount Sinai—a significant site where God established many of His commandments (Exodus 19-20). By placing these instructions in such a holy backdrop, the text emphasizes the high calling of the priesthood and God’s abundant generosity to sustain them. This passage ultimately communicates that whenever God calls someone for a special purpose, He also extends grace and practical provision so His people can serve Him faithfully.