The Church Fathers on this verse

Numbers 18:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

All the best of the oil, and of the wine, and of the corn, whatsoever firstfruits they offer to the Lord, I have given them to thee.

Douay-Rheims

כֹּ֚ל חֵ֣לֶב יִצְהָ֔ר וְכָל־חֵ֖לֶב תִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְדָגָ֑ן רֵאשִׁיתָ֛ם אֲשֶׁר־יִתְּנ֥וּ לַֽיהוָ֖ה לְךָ֥ נְתַתִּֽים׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

He designated the remainder of the offering for them and instructed that it be consumed, but specified that this should occur only "in the holy place," and by males exclusively. (Refer to Leviticus 6:29 and similar passages.) However, oil, grain, wine, the redemption of the firstborn, and burnt offerings are now permitted to be eaten not just by males or in a sacred location, but within the priest's household. These offerings are available for consumption by daughters and all household members. This distinction is crucial: the leftovers from sacrifices are intended solely for the use of the consecrated and should not be treated as ordinary food; they must be consumed in a holy setting.

Read more (104 words)

As for the other offerings, which are designated as gifts, they are regarded as secondary and may be shared within the entire household of the sacred, provided the individual partaking is clean—that is, not defiled. According to the law, this means the person must not be uncircumcised, a foreigner, a leper, or experiencing seminal emission; and according to the New Testament Scriptures and the Church’s understanding, this entails being neither unholy nor unfaithful, but rather devout and loving toward God. It is fitting for those elevated to spiritual leadership to associate with those of good character, who possess a heart filled with divine love.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.