Num 18:15-20 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Num 18:15-16: 18:15-16 The Lord provided for the Hebrew priests and their families out of what was set aside for the Lord. The priests had rights to firstborn animal offerings and to the redemption fee for Israel’s firstborn sons. Both the firstborn sons and the offspring of unclean animals had to be redeemed by a fee paid in silver, since neither could be sacrificed (see 3:13 , 40-51 ; Exod 13:2 ).

a18:15-16►

b3:13►

c40-51►

dExod 13:2►

e18:19►

f2 Chr 13:5►

gLev 2:13►

h18:20-21►

i35:1-8►

jDeut 12:12►

kJosh 21:1-42►

‏ Numbers 18:15-20

Summary for Num 18:15-16: 18:15-16 ^a The Lord provided for the Hebrew priests and their families out of what was set aside for the Lord. The priests had rights to firstborn animal offerings and to the redemption fee for Israel’s firstborn sons. Both the firstborn sons and the offspring of unclean animals had to be redeemed by a fee paid in silver, since neither could be sacrificed (see 3:13 ^b, 40-51 ^c; Exod 13:2 ^d).
18:19 ^e These arrangements were part of an eternal and unbreakable covenant (literally a covenant of salt; cp. 2 Chr 13:5 ^f). The covenant was apparently meant to be permanent, since salt (a preservative) was a symbol of permanence (Lev 2:13 ^g).
Summary for Num 18:20-21: 18:20-21 ^h The priests and Levites did not have a tribal homeland but were scattered among Israel’s other tribes (cp. 35:1-8 ⁱ; Deut 12:12 ^j; Josh 21:1-42 ^k).

• I am your share and your allotment: Instead of their own territory, Israel’s priests received the assurance that God himself would be their homeland, while the tribe of Levi received tithes in compensation for their sacred service.