Topical Bible: Tithes

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Origin
The concept of tithing, or giving a tenth, is deeply rooted in biblical tradition and is a practice that involves dedicating a portion of one's income or produce to God. The term "tithe" comes from the Old English word "teogotha," meaning "tenth." The practice is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 14:20, where Abram gives a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High: "Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything" .

Old Testament Law
The formalization of tithing is found in the Mosaic Law, where it is established as a requirement for the Israelites. Leviticus 27:30 states, "Thus any tithe of the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD" . The tithe was primarily agricultural, consisting of grain, fruit, and livestock, and was intended to support the Levitical priesthood, who had no inheritance of land (Numbers 18:21-24).

Deuteronomy 14:22-29 further elaborates on the purpose and use of tithes, including provisions for a festival tithe and a tithe for the poor every third year. The tithe was not only an act of worship but also a means of ensuring social justice and community support.

Prophetic Emphasis
The prophets emphasized the importance of tithing as a reflection of faithfulness to God. Malachi 3:8-10 is a well-known passage where God challenges the Israelites for robbing Him by withholding tithes and offerings. The passage promises blessings for those who faithfully bring the full tithe into the storehouse: "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'" .

New Testament Perspective
In the New Testament, Jesus acknowledges the practice of tithing but emphasizes the importance of justice, mercy, and faithfulness over mere ritual compliance. In Matthew 23:23, He criticizes the Pharisees for their meticulous tithing while neglecting the weightier matters of the law: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former" .

The early church does not explicitly command tithing, but the principles of generosity and supporting the ministry are evident. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul encourages believers to give as they have decided in their hearts, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for "God loves a cheerful giver" .

Theological Significance
Tithing is seen as an act of obedience and trust in God's provision. It acknowledges God's sovereignty over all resources and serves as a tangible expression of gratitude and worship. The practice of tithing also fosters a spirit of generosity and community support, aligning with the biblical call to care for the needy and support the work of the ministry.

Contemporary Practice
In many Christian denominations today, tithing remains a common practice, often interpreted as giving a tenth of one's income to the local church. While the specifics of tithing may vary, the underlying principles of stewardship, generosity, and faithfulness continue to be emphasized as integral to Christian living.

Greek

1183. dekatoo -- to collect tithes
... to collect tithes. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dekatoo Phonetic Spelling:
(dek-at-o'-o) Short Definition: I tithe, collect tithe from Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1183.htm - 6k

586a. apodekateuo -- to pay a tenth of
... 586, 586a. apodekateuo. 586b . to pay a tenth of. Transliteration: apodekateuo
Short Definition: tithes. Word Origin from apodekatoo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/586a.htm - 5k

1181. dekate -- a tenth part, a tithe
... totality). Word Origin from deka Definition a tenth part, a tithe NASB Word
Usage tenth (1), tenth part (1), tithes (2). tenth, tithe. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1181.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

6237. asar -- to take the tenth of, tithe
... Word Origin denominative verb from eser Definition to take the tenth of, tithe NASB
Word Usage paying (1), receive the tithes (1), receive tithes (1), surely ...
/hebrew/6237.htm - 6k

4643. maaser -- tenth part, tithe
... Word Origin from the same as eser Definition tenth part, tithe NASB Word Usage
tenth (4), tenth part (1), tithe (17), tithes (9), tithing (1). ...
/hebrew/4643.htm - 6k

Library

Of Removing Tithes.
... A COMPENDIUM OF THE LAW RELATING TO TITHES. 8. Of removing Tithes. If the
Parson dues not take away his tithes within a reasonable ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/8 of removing tithes.htm

Of Tithes (Four Articles)
... OF TITHES (FOUR ARTICLES). Next we must consider tithes, under which head there
are four points of inquiry: (1) Whether men are bound by precept to pay tithes? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of tithes four articles .htm

Whether Tithes Should be Paid to the Clergy?
... OF TITHES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether tithes should be paid to the clergy? Objection
1: It would seem that tithes should not be paid to the clergy. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether tithes should be paid.htm

Whether Men are Bound to Pay Tithes of all Things?
... OF TITHES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether men are bound to pay tithes of all things? Objection
1: It would seem that men are not bound to give tithes of all things. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether men are bound to 3.htm

Of the Offering of Tithes and Firstfruits.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter III. Of the offering of tithes
and firstfruits. For indeed by the Lord's command tithes ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter iii of the offering.htm

Whether Christ Paid Tithes in Abraham's Loins?
... OF THE MATTER FROM WHICH THE SAVIOUR'S BODY WAS CONCEIVED (EIGHT ARTICLES)
Whether Christ paid tithes in Abraham's loins? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ paid tithes in.htm

Whether Men are Bound to Pay Tithes under a Necessity of Precept?
... OF TITHES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether men are bound to pay tithes under a
necessity of precept? Objection 1: It would seem that men ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether men are bound to 2.htm

Of the Nature of Tithes.
... A COMPENDIUM OF THE LAW RELATING TO TITHES. 1. Of the Nature of Tithes.
TITHES are a species of incorporeal hereditaments, and are ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/1 of the nature of.htm

Of Discharge from Tithes.
... A COMPENDIUM OF THE LAW RELATING TO TITHES. 7. Of Discharge from Tithes.
Mere non-payment of tithes, though for time immemorial, is ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/7 of discharge from tithes.htm

Of Subtraction of Tithes.
... A COMPENDIUM OF THE LAW RELATING TO TITHES. 5. Of Subtraction of Tithes.
By Stat.2. and 3. Ed. G.13. no person shall carry away ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/5 of subtraction of tithes.htm

Thesaurus

Tithes (23 Occurrences)
...Tithes (23 Occurrences). ... for you pay tithes on your mint and rue and every kind of
garden vegetable, and are indifferent to justice and the love of God. ...
/t/tithes.htm - 14k

Contributions (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 31:12 And they brought in the offerings and the tithes and the hallowed
things faithfully; and over them Conaniah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei ...
/c/contributions.htm - 12k

Heave-offerings (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 31:12 and brought in the heave-offerings and the tithes and the dedicated
things faithfully; and over these Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and ...
/h/heave-offerings.htm - 11k

Chambers (68 Occurrences)
... wave offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, the new wine and the oil,
to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ...
/c/chambers.htm - 30k

Receives (43 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:8 Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes
of whom it is testified that he lives. (WEB WEY NAS). ...
/r/receives.htm - 17k

Tithe (30 Occurrences)
... Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:6); and Jacob vowed
unto the Lord and said, "Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the ...
/t/tithe.htm - 28k

Levi (79 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:5 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have
a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of ...
/l/levi.htm - 35k

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth
them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. (KJV WBS). ...
/r/receiveth.htm - 20k

Melchizedek (12 Occurrences)
... 7. The apostle there points out the superiority of his priesthood to that of Aaron
in these several respects, (1) Even Abraham paid him tithes; (2) he blessed ...
/m/melchizedek.htm - 19k

Collected (55 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes
from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/collected.htm - 23k

Resources

What is the difference between tithes and offerings? | GotQuestions.org

Federalism vs. seminalism'which view is correct? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to test God? | GotQuestions.org

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Concordance

Tithes (23 Occurrences)

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye pay tithes of mint and anise and cummin, and ye have left aside the weightier matters of the law, judgment and mercy and faith: these ye ought to have done and not have left those aside.
(DBY)

Luke 11:42
"But alas for you Pharisees! for you pay tithes on your mint and rue and every kind of garden vegetable, and are indifferent to justice and the love of God. These are the things you ought to have attended to, while not neglecting the others.
(WEY DBY)

Luke 18:12
I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.'
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Hebrews 7:5
They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Hebrews 7:6
but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT RSV)

Hebrews 7:8
Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Hebrews 7:9
We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Genesis 14:20
And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
(KJV WBS)

Leviticus 27:31
And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Numbers 18:21
And to the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.
(DBY NIV)

Numbers 18:24
But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
(KJV DBY WBS NIV)

Numbers 18:26
Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Numbers 18:28
Thus you also shall offer a wave offering to Yahweh of all your tithes, which you receive of the children of Israel; and of it you shall give Yahweh's wave offering to Aaron the priest.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:6
and there you shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the wave offering of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:11
then it shall happen that to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the wave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 14:28
At the end of every three years, even in the same year, thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase, and shall lay it up within thy gates.
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 31:12
They brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: and over them Conaniah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was second.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 10:37
and that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, and our wave offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, the new wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground to the Levites; for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 10:38
The priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 12:44
On that day were men appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the wave offerings, for the first fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities, the portions appointed by the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites who waited.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 13:12
Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
(See NIV)

Amos 4:4
"Go to Bethel, and sin; to Gilgal, and sin more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Malachi 3:8
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say,'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Tithes

Tithes: A Tithe of Tithes for the Priests

Tithes: Customary in Later Times

Tithes: Customs Relating To

Tithes: Jacob Vows a Tenth of all his Property to God

Tithes: Mosaic Laws Instituting

Tithes: Observed by Idolaters

Tithes: Paid by Abraham to Melchizedek

Tithes: Payment of, Resumed in Hezekiah's Reign

Tithes: Stored in the Temple