The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

I was reading an article on another subject, and found a remark about tithing that sparked an interest. So I began searching, and found another article on the subject of tithing. Essentially, the article asserted there are three tithes:

1. Numbers 18:25-28, which was a tithe to the Levites. Out of this tithe, the Levites gave a tithe to the priests (so the priests got 1% of a person's increase, with the Levites keeping 9%).

2. Deuteronomy 14:22-27, which was a tithe for family feasting together with the Levite.

3. Deuteronomy 14:28-29, which was the 'poor tithe', shared with the local Levite, stranger, fatherless, widow, 'the needy', etc.

These three tithes were paid during the six years prior to the sabbatical year. Not sure but the author I believe was saying the poor tithe was paid in the third and sixth years, implying the family/Levite tithe was paid in the second and fifth years, and the Levite tithe was paid in the first and third years.

Alms were private donations to the poor above and beyond, and at other times than, the poor tithe.

Offerings, vows, freewill gifts etc were often donations to Levites and priests (though obviously some of the offerings were eaten by the giver along with the priest/Levite) and were separate from the tithe.

My question is this: Does the Scripture really indicate three distinct tithes, paid twice each in every six year period? If so, how can this be established by the word of God alone (rather than by looking up references in the Talmud)? If not, then what do these (and any other relevant) passages teach?

I am not at this point interested in modern applications of tithing, or questions of should you or how much should you give to your local church, your pastor, any other preacher, etc. I would like to try to avoid having this thread degenerate into a 'tithing is evil vs non tithe payers are going to hell' type of 'debate' if possible. :heeheehee

I just want to look closely at the Biblical data on tithing, as it is, in the scripture.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

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. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 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. And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest. Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it. Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress. And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation. And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.
(Numbers 18:24-32)

In looking at this, it does not seem to specify when these tithes were to be paid. It simply states the tithes (which are offered as heave - ie wave or elevation - offerings, belong to the Levites, and that out of them shall the Levites give a tenth part to the priests as their tithe, and this tithe of Israel to the Levites will be counted as the Levites' crops/flocks/herds. Since the Levites were not given a land inheritance, they would not have much opportunity to raise crops or herds, so would have no 'increase' to speak of, therefore the peoples' tithe to the Levites would be reckoned in place of the Levites' non-existent crops/herds.

On the face of it, it seems that this tithe would be paid whenever there was an increase? Thus, depending on what you were raising/growing, whenever there was an increase a tithe would be paid.

Question: While 'yearly' seems like a great time measure to use for agricultural tithes, it also seems arbitrary and not stated in the text. If you have a summer harvest (Pentecost) and a fall harvest (Tabernacles), would you not then have TWO 'increases' in one year, and thus pay twice in the year? I mean, based on the Bible alone, when would you settle up? Once a year? Twice a year? Three times a year? Whenever convenient? Local custom? To be determined by the judges?

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

The next two are back to back passages, so I include them all here as one block:

Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
(Deuteronomy 14:22-29)

First of all, I do not see where there is necessarily a distinction between verses 27 and 28, as if Moses is now speaking about a different tithe. Can it be shown that this passage does indeed speak about two different, distinct tithes, paid at different times?

Secondly, does verse 28 "at the end of three years shalt thou bring all the tithe of thine increase the same year" indicate that ALL the tithe - the one mentioned in Numbers, as well as the one (or two) mentioned in Deuteronomy - is only paid every three years? That is, you store up the tithe from one year to the next, for three years, then pay the tithe? That seems like what a straightforward, 'Bible only' reading of the text indicates, yet it would seem to be rather hard on the Levites and the poor etc, as they could only expect to get anything once every three years!

Thirdly, the text does not specify when in the year the tithe is to be paid. Did everybody pay it on the same day? Did everyone pick their own day for tithe paying? Is there any scripture to indicate WHEN in the year this was to be paid? Or at least when in the year it was in fact normally or customarily paid?

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Here's another relevant passage, which seems to state that no tithe was to be eaten locally, but had to be brought to the Tabernacle/Temple:

Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand: But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto. Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
(Deuteronomy 12:17-19)

Does this apply to all 'three' tithes previously mentioned? Or does it apply to the Levite tithe? Or what?

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Nehemiah chapter 10 details the national Covenant (actually, a covenant to renew and keep the Covenant), and it includes a mention of tithing, among other things (like paying the firstfruits, etc):

And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law: And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD: Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God: And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. And 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 unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
(Nehemiah 10:34-39)

Here there seems to have been a yearly payment of firstfruits, it may be extrapolated that the tithe was paid yearly as well. 'As it is written in the law' may refer to the timing of the payments, or it may refer to the obligation of making the payments, it is not exactly clear to me which it would refer to. Perhaps there was simply a divine ordinance to pay yearly, and the people by mutual consent agreed on a set, agreeable time of the year to do so?

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Interesting article presenting an alternative understanding of the tithing system in ancient Israel:

http://www.tithing.com/blog/how-many...-in-the-bible/

There are a few comments on the article, the first one being very interesting as it presents yet another alternative understanding. Be sure to read that first comment on the blog article.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

It is my understanding that in ancient Israel the tithe was essentially an agrarian land tax that helped to sustain the Levites, the Temple, and to fill the storehouse with grain and produce to serve the needy classes of Israel (widows, orphans, strangers, etc.).

In essence, it was a land tax that provided for the priesthood and the agrarian welfare system over which they presided.

Prior to this, a "tithe" was a tribute given to a ruler to gain favor and to form alliance. For example, Abraham's tithe of war spoils to the King of Salem.

The tithe could also be a part of a vow. For example we see this with Jacob's tithe.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Does anyone have any input on this subject, as to when exactly they paid tithes, and whether or not there was one tithe, paid in the third year (that is, the second year after the sabbath year), or whether there were three tithes, each paid once a year, in a 3-year cycle? Or...?

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Esaias,

Thank you for starting this thread...I hope to see some responses, and appreciate the fact that it is being brought up in a form of study rather than bashing for a change. I personally am obedient to tithing, but will confess that it is a subject that I have heard "told" more than actually "taught".

I see so much blessing and direction related to giving, and how freely we should do such, and truthfully believe the motivation has more to do with how God views the giver then does a "formula". In fact it seems to me that NT Christians should give so much more than a set 10% - and certainly more than just money...our time, our talents, our very lives as well as our resources (finances).

It would be awesome to see some folks weigh in on this that can rightly divide the Word on such a subject (instead of tradition or opinion - regardless of which side of the fence they are on)

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

I too hope some folks can weigh in on this, I am having a hard time figuring some things out, especially about how often tithes were 'paid' and whether there was only one, two, or three distinct tithes.

Haven't even got into the subject of offerings and alms, yet, lol.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

bump

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Does ANYBODY have any insight into this topic, namely how many tithes were there under the law, when were they paid, etc? I have noticed there is a variety of differing opinions on this - even the Rabbis had some differing opinions (not that they are authoritative, but there it is).

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

which i guess doesn't help much if you are writing a history book, or trying to become a Jew... :)

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

The main purpose of the tithe was not to support the Levites but it was to provide the Israelites themselves with the feast for the Feast of Tabernacles (also known as the Feast of the Ingathering. See Exodus 23:16 and 34:22). It was Holiday pay! Two out of every three years the tithe was not given away but was eaten by the tither and his household in the keeping of the Feast and was to be enjoyed in the presence of God in Jerusalem. It was only in the third year the tithe was given away.

Deuteronomy 12:5-19. The tithes, along with the votive, freewill, first-fruits and heave offerings, were to be brought to Jerusalem and there eaten BY THE TITHER, and shared with others:

"...you shall eat them before the Lord your God...you and your son
and daughter and...your servants, and the Levite"

This is more clearly spelled out in Deuteronomy 14:22-27:

"You shall surely tithe..and you shall eat in the presence of the Lord
your God... the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil and the
the first-born of your herd and of your flock..."

And if you as the tither lived too far away from Jerusalem to transport your tithe there, you were to sell it, take the money to Jerusalem and there buy "whatever your heart desires" (this is stated twice in case you don't believe it the first time) and there "eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household" (verse 26). The Jewish household consisted of not only the children and the servants but was also extended to include the local Levites, widows, orphans and strangers. All were to partake and enjoy; verse 27 here particularly mentions including the Levites because they didn't have a harvest to celebrate in this way.

The Feast of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles was a week long festival (plus an extra sabbath) when families were to leave the security of their homes, travel to Jerusalem, and live in temporary shelters (tabernacles or booths) made of "the foliage of beautiful trees". This part of the Feast was to remind all succeeding generations "that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt" (Lev 23:40 & 43). It was like a camping holiday. It was to be kept in the seventh month, "at the end of the (agricultural) year, when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field" (Ex 23:16), so the other part of the Feast was to celebrate the ingathering of the harvest:

"...you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter
and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and
the orphan and the widow who are in your towns (i.e. your neighbors).
Seven days you shall celebrate..(in Jerusalem), because the Lord your
God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands,
so that you shall be altogether joyful"
(Deut 16:14-15)

This first use of the tithe consisted of every household at harvest-end setting apart a tenth of all the produce of the year and taking it to Jerusalem to celebrate the goodness of God. the year's hard work was over, now they were to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor "in the presence of the Lord". No one was to be left looking on as an outsider; they were to include neighbors who had no harvest.

The Third Year

"At the end of the third year you shall bring out all the tithe of
your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your gates. and
the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance amoung you,
and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your gates,
shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God
may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do."
Deut 14:18-19

Every third year the Levite, along with the alien, orphan and widow, received the whole tithe, not in Jerusalem at the Feast, but in the towns where they were living. This is restated in Deuteronomy 26:

"When you have finished tithing all the tithe of your increase in
the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the
Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow that
they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.

And you shall say before the Lord your God, "I have removed the
sacred portion from my house, and also have given it to the Levite
and the alien, the orphan and the widow, according to all Thy
commandments which Thou has commanded me' ..."
(vs 12 & 13)

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Unless I am mistaken, Paul never mentions the tithe in any of his books. Nor is there any mention of the tithe in the book of Acts.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

We don't follow Paul, we follow the Bible. Paul didn't talk about transvestitism, either.

Paul, however, did mention and talk about tithing, in his epistle to the Hebrews. And yes, I am aware the modern experts don't accept that Paul wrote Hebrews, but then they don't believe Moses wrote the Pentateuch, either, so...

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Thank you for the response. Is there any way to show that tithes were always paid at Tabernacles? What about the early harvest (Pentecost), would people just put aside the tithe from their crops from Pentecost and hold them until Tabernacles? Seems like that would result in a lot of lost tithes, becoming unedible, etc?

Also, if your herds are calving throughout the year, would you offer the firstlings when they were born (or shortly afterwards)? Or would you wait until Tabernacles?

Is there scripture which shows the tithes were paid AT Tabernacles?

I'm just trying to get a handle on what exactly the Bible teaches on this.

Also, about the 3 years thing... I have read several variations of how this is understood - a tithe paid every three years, a tithe paid every year in a three year cycle (three different tithes, one for each year, given for different purposes), a tithe paid only in 'the third year' from the Sabbatical year (actually, the second year of the new cycle, but counting the sabbatical year as the first year, then the next year, then the third year being able to provide the tithe for the Levites, poor, etc etc.

I included links to proponents of those systems, have you determined which one is correct? And why or why not they are correct or incorrect?

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

i think they are correct for history books, but incorrect for the dispensation of Grace, as explained in Hebrews:

11If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the lawj), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?k 12For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. 13For the One these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. 14Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah,l and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.

15And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16who did not become a priest based on a legal command concerning physicalm descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. 17For it has been testified:

You are a priest forever
in the order of Melchizedek.n, o

18So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitablep 19(for the law perfectedq nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.r

20None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 21but He became a priest with an oath made by the One who said to Him:

The Lord has sworn,
and He will not change His mind,
You are a priest forever.s, t

22So Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.u

23Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. 24But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. 25Therefore, He is always able to savev those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercedew for them.

26For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.x 27He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do — first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself.y 28For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son,z who has been perfectedaa forever.

So, who are you going to pay tithes to? What law are you seeking to obey, iow?

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

I do not recall the NT describing local churches financing the payroll of ministers with tithes paid by the members.

But I could be wrong, again :)

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

:thumbsup

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

I don't recall anyone in this thread purporting that. I do recall stating at the outset I am only wanting to discuss the tithe as it existed under the Mosaic covenant.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Which means Scott Pitta gives very little to his church. If he goes to church.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

You have no shame, to speak of a brother in this way? What's the matter with you?

What you have said is a baseless accusation, and libel against his character. And if you need reminding, there's only one accuser of the brethren.

You're hollering at everyone to repent who doesn't tithe, but you yourself have no moral compunction against hating on a man you've never met, don't know, and cannot judge.

Jesus cared and cares way more about the weightier matters of the law. He had no patience for hypocrites. And neither should we.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Now, as an Admin, I am hereby telling everyone that cares to post in this thread:

Keep it on topic. I mean it.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

bwaahhaaaaa haaaaaaaa haa !!

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Does anyone here even know what tithing actually was in the OT? Can anyone actually address the opening post?

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

and what Abraham tithed to the King of Salem he didnt even own...it wasnt even really HIS increase. It was a battle tax.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

And God never commanded him to do it.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

He was getting stuff back for other people that had been stolen.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

You all are off topic again.

Stop it, or I will start deleting your posts.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

BUMP

I never once noticed in my reading of the OT that there was an indication that the tithes were very much varied, or that they were divided into different years for giving. I will have to look at it again. The only different one to me was the tithe of the tithe, offered by the priests and Levites.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

This is an I interesting study.

I agree with the writer that states tithes mean ten percent.

I am thinking the three year tithes is due to waiting on the harvest, although I would have thought second year you plant and harvest same year as before.

Have never noticed three year tithes. One thought I had was if they lived off they were to sell they offering to eliminate loss due to spoil, and bring it every third year versus indefinitely or yearly if that was a hardship to travel yeArly.

The priest were Levites but perhaps all lefties were not priest. It has always been my understanding that tithes were paid to the man of God.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

I think folks are missing the point of tithing. 1 Cor 9:13 says the ministry receives income for ministry from the people to whom he ministers. Nobody said the identical way it is done today must be what the bible stated. The point is it is a good SYSTEM to work with. Fair to everyone, where it is worked out according to one's ability, and rich get no greater break than the poor, etc. It's just a fair system. And if someone wants to give as Spirit led to do so, fine. So what? I think critics have made more out of it than most believers in tithing meant it to be. It does not have to be detailingly identical to the Law's method. It's just what a church group decides and agrees to do. Supporting the minister in a fair way however way the congregation and pastor agree will work. Simple 'nuff.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Amen.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

I think some folks are missing the point of this thread. I am simply trying to get a handle on what exactly the OT taught as far as tithing. There seems to be a variety of interpretations as to what God actually commanded under the Sinaitic covenant.

Modern day applications of 'principles' are the subject of another thread. I am just trying to find out if anyone here on AFF has any idea what was actually commanded in the OT in regard to tithes.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

seems pretty Byzantine, actually; there is even one you are to take to Jerusalem to buy and consume liquor with, should that be your desire! Hmm.

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

Seems to me you must be a big tither. :D

Re: The Biblical tithe, re-examined
 

:lol
if you just give away everything, you wont have to worry about it.