The Church Fathers on this verse

Deuteronomy 18:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This shall be the priest's due from the people, and from them that offer victims: whether they sacrifice an ox, or a sheep, they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the breast:

Douay-Rheims

וְזֶ֡ה יִהְיֶה֩ מִשְׁפַּ֨ט הַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים מֵאֵ֣ת הָעָ֗ם מֵאֵ֛ת זֹבְחֵ֥י הַזֶּ֖בַח אִם־שׁ֣וֹר אִם־שֶׂ֑ה וְנָתַן֙ לַכֹּהֵ֔ן הַזְּרֹ֥עַ וְהַלְּחָיַ֖יִם וְהַקֵּבָֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

Observe how the sacred lineage lacks recognition among the nations, existing distinctly apart not only through service but also through a different expectation. For those who dwell in earthly pursuits, who yearn for short-lived possessions, it can truly be remarked, "This is your share; this is the lot apportioned to you by Me, says the Lord" (Jeremiah 13:25). In contrast, for those who aspire to a holy and blameless existence, chosen for their virtue, it is appropriate to declare, "In their land you shall have no inheritance, nor shall you have a share with them; I am your portion and your inheritance," thus says the Lord (Num. 18:20; Deut. 10:9; 18:1).

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The Savior also addressed a seeker of "eternal life": "You are familiar with the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal,' and so on; and when the Savior affirmed that he was diligent in observing these, he inquired, 'What do I still lack?' Jesus responded, 'If you wish to be complete, go, sell your possessions, and give to the needy; then you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me' (Mark 10:17-21; Matthew 19:16-21). Therefore, those who desire to serve God with undivided hearts, believing it is their calling to follow Him, must disengage from worldly distractions, recognize Him as their sole inheritance, and immerse themselves in hope in Him, as expressed in the Psalms: "Delight yourself in the Lord, ... Trust in the Lord ... and He will grant you your heart's desires" (Psalm 36:4-5). This also illustrates the allocation of tithes to the Levites in exchange for their service, as their labor brings rewards not only for them but also for the faithful, bestowing chosen honors and glorious gifts. For the Savior reminds us, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear ... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:25-33).

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

In addition to the initial offerings from individual households and the public marketplace, which concern life's basic needs rather than spiritual practice, the clergy are allotted three additional parts: the shoulder, the jaw, and the stomach. We have previously discussed the shoulder. The jaw represents the articulate and knowledgeable, indicating that what is felt in the heart is conveyed through our speech. The stomach, which serves as the container for nourishment and was cut open by the priestly knife in the case of the harlot of Midian (Num. 25:6-8), corrupts all human efforts and fleeting pleasures associated with consumption, revealing to those who are devoted to God that everything we cherish and consume ultimately leads to waste.

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This is also reflected in the words of the apostle: The womb to the womb, and the belly to the belly; but God will eliminate both (1 Cor. 6:13). Conversely, for those who indulge in excess, their god is their belly, and they boast in their shame (Phil. 3:19).

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.