Numbers 18:12

Verse

I give you all the freshest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain that the Israelites give to the LORD as their firstfruits.

American Standard Version (1901)

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the vintage, and of the grain, the first-fruits of them which they give unto Jehovah, to thee have I given them.

Bible in Basic English

All the best of the oil and the wine and the grain, the first-fruits of them which they give to the Lord, to you have I given them.

Free Bible Version

I am giving you all the best olive oil and all the best new wine and grain that the Israelites give as firstfruits to the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.

One Unity Resource Bible

“I have given to you all the best of the oil, and all the best of the vintage, and of the grain, the first fruits of them which they give to Adonai .

Translation for Translators

“ am also giving to you the first food that people harvest each year and bring to me—the best olive oil and new wine and grain.

Unlocked Literal Bible

All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and grain, the firstfruits that the people give to me—all these things I have given to you.

Noah Webster Bible

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the first-fruits of them which they shall offer to the LORD, them have I given to thee.

World English Bible

“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.

Young's Literal Translation

all the best of the oil, and all the best of the new wine, and wheat — their first -[fruits] which they give to Jehovah — to thee I have given them.

Context

Offerings for Priests and Levites

¹¹And this is yours as well: the offering of their gifts, along with all the wave offerings of the Israelites. I have given this to you and your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat it.¹²I give you all the freshest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain that the Israelites give to the LORD as their firstfruits.¹³The firstfruits of everything in their land that they bring to the LORD will belong to you. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat them.

Summary

In Numbers 18:12, the Lord instructs Aaron that the best of the olive oil, new wine, and grain - the firstfruits of the land - are to be given to the priests as their portion. This offering symbolizes the consecration of the first and best of the produce to the Lord, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty over all resources. By giving the firstfruits to the priests, the Israelites demonstrate their gratitude and obedience to God's commands, recognizing His blessings and faithfulness in sustaining them.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat,.... Or the "fat" (i) of them; the fat of anything being the best, see Deu 32:14, the firstfruits of them: the oil, and wine, and wheat: which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee; this Jarchi calls the great heave offering, the firstfruits of their harvest and vintage, which being offered to the Lord, was given to the priests: the quantity is not fixed, but left to the generosity of the people, and was a free gift; liberal men would give a fortieth part, those of a meaner spirit a fiftieth, and niggardly ones a sixtieth, and less than that was not given See Gill on Exo 22:29; compare with this Eze 45:13. (i) "pinguedinem", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.