Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, March 28th, 2024
Maundy Thursday
There are 3 days til Easter!
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Dictionaries
Tithe

Holman Bible Dictionary

Search for…
or
1 2 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Tishbite
Next Entry
Titius Justus
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links
A tenth part, especially as offered to God. Abraham presented a tithe of war booty to the priest-king of Jerusalem, Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20 ). Jacob pledged to offer God a tithe of all his possessions upon his safe return (Genesis 28:22 ). The tithe was subject to a variety of legislation. Numbers 18:20-32 provides for support of the Levites and the priests through the tithe. The Deuteronomic code stipulated that the tithe of agricultural produce be used for a family feast at the sanctuary celebrating God's provision ( Deuteronomy 14:22-27 ). The same code stipulated the third year's tithe for care of the Levites, orphans, widows, and foreigners (Deuteronomy 14:28-29 ). Some scholars think the differences in legislation reflect different uses of the tithe at various stages of Israel's history. The rabbis of the New Testament period, however, understood the laws as referring to three separate tithes: a Levitical tithe, a tithe spent celebrating in Jerusalem, and a charity tithe. Malachi 3:8 equates neglect of the tithe with robbing God. Jesus, however, warned that strict tithing must accompany concern for the more important demands of the law, namely, for just and merciful living ( Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42 ). See Stewardship .

Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Tithe'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hbd/​t/tithe.html. 1991.
adsFree icon
Ads FreeProfile