Numbers 18:21 - Exposition

All the tenth. The tithe of all fruits and flocks had been already claimed absolutely by the Lord (Le 27:30, 32). It is probable indeed that the giving of tithes had been more or less a matter of obligation from time immemorial. Abraham had paid them on one memorable occasion ( Genesis 14:20 ), and Jacob had vowed them on another ( Genesis 28:22 ). From this time forth, however, the tithes were formally assigned to the maintenance of the Levites, in return for their service.