Deuteronomy 18:8
New International Version
He is to share equally in their benefits, even though he has received money from the sale of family possessions.

New Living Translation
He may eat his share of the sacrifices and offerings, even if he also receives support from his family.

English Standard Version
then he may have equal portions to eat, besides what he receives from the sale of his patrimony.

Berean Standard Bible
They shall eat equal portions, even though he has received money from the sale of his father’s estate.

King James Bible
They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.

New King James Version
They shall have equal portions to eat, besides what comes from the sale of his inheritance.

New American Standard Bible
They shall eat equal portions, except for what they receive from the sale of their fathers’ estates.

NASB 1995
“They shall eat equal portions, except what they receive from the sale of their fathers’ estates.

NASB 1977
“They shall eat equal portions, except what they receive from the sale of their fathers’ estates.

Legacy Standard Bible
They shall eat equal portions, except what they receive from the sale of their fathers’ estates.

Amplified Bible
They shall have equal portions to eat, except what they receive from the sale of their fathers’ estates.

Christian Standard Bible
They will eat equal portions besides what he has received from the sale of the family estate.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They will eat equal portions besides what he has received from the sale of the family estate.”

American Standard Version
They shall have like portions to eat, besides that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.

Contemporary English Version
Some Levites may have money from selling family possessions, and others may not. But all Levites serving at the place of worship will receive the same amount of food from the sacrifices and gifts brought by the people.

English Revised Version
They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If he does, he'll get the same amount of food as they do, in addition to what he gets from selling his family's goods.

Good News Translation
He is to receive the same amount of food as the other priests, and he may keep whatever his family sends him.

International Standard Version
he may eat the same share as they do regardless of what he receives from his ancestral estate."

Majority Standard Bible
They shall eat equal portions, even though he has received money from the sale of his father’s estate.

NET Bible
He must eat the same share they do, despite any profits he may gain from the sale of his family's inheritance.

New Heart English Bible
They shall have like portions to eat, besides that which comes of the sale of his patrimony.

Webster's Bible Translation
They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.

World English Bible
They shall have like portions to eat, in addition to that which comes from the sale of his family possessions.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They eat portion like portion, apart from his sold things from the fathers.

Young's Literal Translation
portion as portion they do eat, apart from his sold things, with the fathers.

Smith's Literal Translation
Portion according to portion shall they eat, besides his sellings according to the fathers.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He shall receive the same portion of food that the rest do: besides that which is due to him in his own city, by succession from his fathers.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He shall receive the same portion of food as the rest also receive, besides that which is due to him in his own city, by succession from his fathers.

New American Bible
he shall receive the same portions to eat, along with his stipends and patrimony.

New Revised Standard Version
They shall have equal portions to eat, even though they have income from the sale of family possessions.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They shall have equal portion to eat, besides that which comes of the sale of his patrimony.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They may eat a portion equally, apart from the sale of the fathers.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which is his due according to the fathers' houses.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He shall eat an allotted portion, besides the sale of his hereditary property.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Provision for Priests and Levites
7then he shall serve in the name of the LORD his God like all his fellow Levites who stand there before the LORD. 8They shall eat equal portions, even though he has received money from the sale of his father’s estate.

Cross References
Numbers 18:20-24
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ...

Leviticus 7:7-8
The guilt offering is like the sin offering; the same law applies to both. It belongs to the priest who makes atonement with it. / As for the priest who presents a burnt offering for anyone, the hide of that offering belongs to him.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Numbers 18:8-9
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “Behold, I have put you in charge of My offerings. As for all the sacred offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute. / A portion of the most holy offerings reserved from the fire will be yours. From all the offerings they render to Me as most holy offerings, whether grain offerings or sin offerings or guilt offerings, that part belongs to you and your sons.

2 Chronicles 31:4
Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.

Nehemiah 12:44-47
And on that same day men were appointed over the rooms that housed the supplies, contributions, firstfruits, and tithes. The portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites were gathered into these storerooms from the fields of the villages, because Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who were serving. / They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, along with the singers and gatekeepers, as David and his son Solomon had prescribed. / For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. ...

1 Corinthians 10:18
Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?

Malachi 3:8-10
Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. / You are cursed with a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me. / Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.

Matthew 10:10
Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.

Luke 10:7
Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

1 Timothy 5:17-18
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. / For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

Ezekiel 44:28-30
In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession. / They shall eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them. / The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.

Joshua 13:14
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.


Treasury of Scripture

They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which comes of the sale of his patrimony.

like portions

Leviticus 7:8,9,14
And the priest that offereth any man's burnt offering, even the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering which he hath offered…

Nehemiah 12:44,47
And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited…

Luke 10:7
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Jump to Previous
Addition Benefits Besides Due Eat Equal Equally Estates Except Houses Money Portion Portions Price Property Receive Received Receives Sale Share Sold Theirs
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Addition Benefits Besides Due Eat Equal Equally Estates Except Houses Money Portion Portions Price Property Receive Received Receives Sale Share Sold Theirs
Deuteronomy 18
1. The LORD is the priests and Levites' inheritance
3. The priests' due
6. The Levites' portion
9. The abominations of the nations are to be avoided
15. Christ the Prophet is to be heard
20. The presumptuous prophet is to die














They shall eat equal portions
This phrase underscores the principle of fairness and equality among the Levitical priests. In the Hebrew context, the word for "equal" (חֵלֶק, cheleq) implies a division or share that is just and equitable. The Levites, who were set apart for the service of God, did not inherit land like the other tribes of Israel. Instead, their sustenance came from the offerings and sacrifices of the people. This provision ensured that all Levites, regardless of their personal wealth or status, received an equal share of the offerings. This reflects God's desire for justice and provision for those who serve Him, emphasizing that their needs are met through the community's faithfulness.

even though he has received money
The mention of "money" (כֶּסֶף, keseph) here is significant. It indicates that a Levite might have personal wealth or assets, possibly from a family inheritance or other means. However, this personal wealth does not exempt him from receiving his rightful share of the offerings. This provision highlights the communal responsibility to support those dedicated to spiritual service, regardless of their financial status. It also serves as a reminder that the work of ministry is not to be influenced by personal gain but is a calling that requires communal support and recognition.

from the sale of his father's estate
The reference to "his father's estate" (מִמְכַּר, mimkar) provides insight into the economic practices of ancient Israel. While the Levites did not inherit land, they could receive monetary compensation from the sale of family possessions or estates. This clause ensures that even those Levites who might have benefited from such sales are not excluded from the communal support system. It underscores the principle that the provision for God's servants is not based on their personal wealth but on their role and service within the community. This reflects a broader biblical theme of God's provision and care for those who dedicate their lives to His service, ensuring that their needs are met through the faithfulness of His people.

(8) They shall have like portions to eat, beside that.--The Levite thus dedicated was to have the same allowance from tithes as the rest who served at the tabernacle, beside the proceeds of the patrimony which he would have had in his own Levitical city.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They shall eat
יֹאכֵ֑לוּ (yō·ḵê·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

equal portions,
חֵ֥לֶק (ḥê·leq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2506: Portion, tract, territory

even though
לְבַ֥ד (lə·ḇaḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

he has received [money] from
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the sale
מִמְכָּרָ֖יו (mim·kā·rāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4465: Merchandise, a selling

of his father’s estate.
הָאָבֽוֹת׃ (hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 18:8 They shall have like portions to eat (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 18:7
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