Deuteronomy 18:4 · Bible study
Deuteronomy 18:4 Commentary: The Priest's Portion
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study page on Deuteronomy 18:4: the command to give firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, and fleece to priests, highlighting God's provision and the principle of offering
Research Summary
- Meaning: The command to give the first/best of produce and flock to support the priests, who had no land inheritance.
- Key words: reshith (first, best, chief), gez (fleece, shearing), terumah (heave-offering, implied).
- Main debate: Whether the quantity was fixed or left to the giver’s discretion; and whether the principle applies literally to support of clergy today.
- Theological theme: God owns all and provides for His servants through the people’s offerings. Giving the best is an act of worship.
- Best use: A teaching text on generous, prioritized giving, and on the dignity of those who serve God full-time.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock.
WEB World English Bible 2000
You shall give him the first fruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep.
KJV King James Version 1769
The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
The first-fruits of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
the first of thy corn, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy flock, thou dost give to him;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
The firstfruits [also] of thy corn, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstfruits of the shearing of thy sheep, shalt thou give him;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
The firstfruits also of corn, of wine, and of oil, and a part of the wool from the shearing of their sheep.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Las primicias de tu grano, de tu vino, y de tu aceite, y las primicias de la lana de tus ovejas le darás:
As primícias de teus grãos, de teu vinho, e de teu azeite, e as primícias da lã de tuas ovelhas lhe darás:
Tu lui donneras les prémices de ton blé, de ton moût et de ton huile, et les prémices de la toison de tes brebis;
und die Erstlinge deines Korns, deines Mostes und deines Öls und die Erstlinge von der Schur deiner Schafe.
De eerstelingen van uw koren, van uw most en van uw olie, en de eerstelingen van de beschering uwer schapen zult gij hem geven;
Gli darai le primizie del tuo frumento, del tuo mosto e del tuo olio, e le primizie della tosatura delle tue pecore;
Pierwociny zboża twego, wina twego, i oliwy twojej, także pierwociny wełny z owiec twoich oddasz mu.
также начатки от хлеба твоего, вина твоего и елея твоего, и начатки от шерсти овец твоих отдавай ему,
初 收的五穀、新酒 和油，並初 剪的羊 毛，也要給 他；
And in addition you are to give him the first of your grain and wine and oil, and the first wool cut from your sheep.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Deuteronomy 18:4
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree this verse mandates that the people give the priests the first and best of their agricultural and pastoral produce. The Hebrew term for “firstfruits” here is reshith (H7225), which means “first, beginning, chief, choice part”, not the same as bikkurim used elsewhere for first-ripe fruits. The Cambridge Bible notes that it may be translated “the best.” Gill’s Exposition cites Jewish tradition that the quantity was not fixed but later set at about one-sixtieth of the fleece. Adam Clarke summarizes that these firstfruits were the Lord’s portion, given to those who served Him. The key point is God’s provision for the priests, who had no land inheritance (Deut 18:1-2). By giving the reshith, the first and best, the people honored God and sustained the ministry.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The verse commands that the first/best of grain, wine, oil, and fleece be given to the priests for their support, since they had no land inheritance.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of 'firstfruits' (reshith vs. bikkurim) | Both terms refer to offerings from the harvest, but reshith emphasizes the first or best portion. | Some argue reshith is strictly the first in time (first-ripe), others understand it as the choice portion regardless of ripeness. |
| Applicability to the church today | Christians agree that those who minister deserve material support (1 Cor 9:13-14). | Some see this verse as a literal pattern for tithing to clergy; others apply it as a broader principle of generous, joyful giving without a fixed percentage. |
| Fixed quantity vs. voluntariness | The Old Testament text does not specify a precise amount for the fleece. | Jewish tradition set a guideline (one-sixtieth), while later Christian traditions emphasize giving as one is able (2 Cor 9:7). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Deuteronomy 18:4 sits within a larger section (Deut 18:1-8) reaffirming the rights of the priests and Levites. Unlike the other tribes, the tribe of Levi received no territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. The surrounding context states that the priests have no inheritance among the people; Yahweh is their inheritance. Their service at the sanctuary was their full-time calling. Therefore, the community was commanded to support them through designated offerings.
The verse lists four items: grain, new wine, oil, and fleece. These represent the basic staples of life, food and clothing. Grain, wine, and oil appear together frequently in Deuteronomy (7:13, 12:17, 14:23) as the core agricultural products of the land. The fleece is unique to this verse; it specifies wool from the sheep shearing. Jewish tradition (as recorded in the Mishnah, tractate Cholin) later defined the obligation more precisely: at least five sheep, each fleece of a minimum weight, and the priest receiving enough for a small garment. The Hebrew word for “first” (reshith) implies not merely the first in time but the best portion, the choice part given to God and His representatives.
This system taught Israel that their prosperity came from God and was to be returned to Him through offerings. By giving the first and best, they acknowledged His ownership and provided for those who ministered on their behalf. The principle extends beyond mere tithing; it calls for generous, prioritized giving that honors God’s claim on the whole of life.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Deuteronomy 18:4. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts.
Reception History
In Jewish tradition, this verse was developed in the Mishnah (tractate Cholin, chapter 11), which specified that the first of the fleece applies only to sheep in the land of Israel, of a minimum weight, and given in sufficient quantity to make a small garment. Maimonides and later commentators like John Gill and Matthew Henry used the passage to teach the duty of providing for the priesthood. Within Christian tradition, the verse was seen as a pattern for supporting ministers of the gospel, connecting it to 1 Corinthians 9:13-14.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God provides for His servants. Because priests and Levites had no land, the people’s offerings became their daily bread. Their inheritance was not property, but the Lord Himself (Deut 18:2).
- The call to give the first and best. Reshith means “best”, not leftover. Giving the firstfruits acknowledges God’s ownership and priorities His kingdom work.
- Giving is worship. When you bring the first of the fleece and the first of the harvest, you say: “Everything comes from You, and I trust You with the best.”
Five-point outline
- The unique position of the priesthood (Deut 18:1-2). No land inheritance, wholly dependent on God through the people.
- The specific provisions listed (v.4). Grain, wine, oil, fleece, basic needs covered.
- The term “first” (reshith). Not just temporal priority, but quality. The best portion goes to God.
- The principle of proportional giving. The law gave no fixed amount for the fleece; later tradition set a guideline. The heart is to give liberally.
- Christ as the ultimate priest. Jesus, our High Priest, receives the first place in our lives. Our giving reflects His priority.
Illustration hooks
- A farmer sets aside the first lamb of the season for the priest, even before counting his own profit. He trusts that God will provide the rest.
- An employee decides to give the first portion of each paycheck to the church, rather than what remains after bills. It is an act of faith and prioritization.
- A teenager offers a few hours each week to serve in a ministry, knowing that giving time first to God shapes the rest of the day.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does this Old Testament command still apply to Christians today, or is it just background?
- How much should I give? Is there a minimum or a guideline?
- What if I can barely make ends meet? Does God still expect the first and best?
Leading a Discussion
This verse reminds us that God provides for those who serve Him through the generous giving of His people. The priests had no land; their inheritance was the Lord. In the same way, the New Testament teaches that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel (1 Cor 9:14). As you read Deuteronomy 18:4, consider how the principle of giving the first and best shapes your own stewardship.
Discussion questions
- What specific items does this verse require to be given to the priests? Why do you think these were chosen?
- The Hebrew word reshith can mean “first” or “best.” How does that nuance affect your understanding of the command?
- Why did the priests and Levites have no inheritance of land in Israel? (See Deut 18:1-2.) How did this arrangement build trust in God?
- How does this Old Testament practice connect with the New Testament teaching about supporting Christian workers? (For example, Galatians 6:6, 1 Timothy 5:17-18.)
- What does “first” or “best” mean in your life right now? How do you prioritize God in your time, talents, and resources?
- Would it be harder for you to give from scarcity or from abundance? What does this passage say to both situations?
- If you were to apply the heart of this command today, what would you change about your giving habits?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 22:29 | “You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. “You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me. |
| Exodus 23:19 | You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground into the house of Yahweh your God. “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk. |
| Leviticus 23:10 | “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. |
| Leviticus 23:17 | You shall bring out of your habitations two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two tenths of an ephah of fine flour. They shall be baked with yeast, for first fruits to Yahweh. |
| Numbers 18:12 | “I have given to you all the best of the oil, all the best of the vintage, and of the grain, the first fruits of them which they give to Yahweh. |
| Numbers 18:24 | For the tithe of the children of Israel, which they offer as a wave offering to Yahweh, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said to them, ‘Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.’” |
| Deuteronomy 26:9 | and he has brought us into this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. |
| Deuteronomy 26:10 | Now, behold, I have brought the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, Yahweh, have given me.” You shall set it down before Yahweh your God, and worship before Yahweh your God. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the firstfruits and firstlings were not simply offered to God and left; they belonged to the Lord as His rightful portion, and He in turn gave them directly to the priests for their support. This shows a divinely ordered transfer of provision.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge note explains that the Hebrew word here is reshith, meaning the best or choicest portion, not bikkurim, the usual term for firstfruits. While grain, wine and oil appear often, the command to give the first of the fleece occurs only in this passage.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note emphasizes that the firstfruits offering includes not just grain, wine, and oil but also the first fleece of the sheep. This broadens the command: every first product from field and flock belongs to God, not merely a token selection from the harvest alone.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill explains that while the law does not specify how much of the first fleece to give the priest, Jewish tradition fixed the minimum at one-sixtieth of the wool, provided at least five sheep are shorn and each fleece weighs twelve shekels. The priest was to receive enough wool for a small garment.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch insists that Deuteronomy maintains a clear distinction between priests and Levites, contrary to claims that the author conflates them. The shoulder, cheek, and stomach given to priests are a separate right from the people, not the same as the wave-breast and heave-leg, and likely applied only to animals slaughtered for festive meals rather than ordinary use.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange ties the entire section on judges, king, and prophets directly to the fifth commandment, viewing these institutions as extensions of parental authority into national life. He traces an organic development where Israel's growth into a nation naturally requires a king, while the prophetic office remains the voice of God, culminating in the Messiah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees the law denying the Levites a land inheritance as God's deliberate safeguard against worldly entanglements. They were given no share in spoils or property precisely so they would have better things to mind and remain free to serve.