The charge and burden of Priestes within the tabernacle, and of Leuites about the same. 8. First fruites, and oblations are due to the Priestes; 21. the tithes to the Leuites; 26. who of the same pay tithes to the Priestes.
1And the Lord said to Aaron: Thou, and thy sons, and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the sins of your priesthood.E il Signor e disse ad Aronne: Tu, e i tuoi figliuoli, e la casa del padre tuo con te porterete le iniquità commesse contro del santuario: e tu, e i tuoi figliuoli insieme pagherete il fio de' peccati, che riguardano il vostro sacerdozio:AND our Lord said to Aaron: Thou, and thy sonnes, and the house of thy father with thee shal beare the iniquitie of the Sanctuarie: both thou & thy sonnes together shal beare the sinnes of your priesthood.Dixitque Dominus ad Aaron: Tu, et filii tui, et domus patris tui tecum, portabitis iniquitatem sanctuarii: et tu et filii tui simul sustinebitis peccata sacerdotii vestri. 2And take with thee thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, and the sceptre of thy father, and let them be ready in hand, and minister to thee: but thou and thy sons shall minister in the tabernacle of the testimony.Oltre a ciò prendi teco i tuoi fratelli della tribù di Levi, e la famiglia del padre tuo, ed ei ti assistano, e ti servano: ma tu, e i tuoi figliuoli servirete nel tabernacolo del testimonio.but thy brethren also of the tribe of Leui, and the scepter of thy father take with thee, and let them be readie at hand, and minister to thee: but thou and thy sonnes shal minister in the tabernacle of testimonie.Sed et fratres tuos de tribu Levi, et sceptrum patris tui sume tecum, præstoque sint, et ministrent tibi: tu autem et filii tui ministrabitis in tabernaculo testimonii. 3And the Levites shall watch to do thy commands, and about all the works of the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary nor the altar, lest both they die, and you also perish with them.E i Leviti staranno attenti a' tuoi ordini, e a tutto quello che è da fare riguardo al tabernacolo: con questo però, che non si accostino a' vasi del santuario, né all'altare, affinché ed essi non muoiano, e voi non siate sterminati con essi:And the Leuites shal watch vpon thy preceptes, and vpon al the workes of the tabernacle: so not withstanding, that they approch not to the vessel of the Sanctuarie and to the altar, lest both they die, and you perish withal.Excubabuntque Levitæ ad præcepta tua, et ad cuncta opera tabernaculi: ita dumtaxat ut ad vasa sanctuarii et ad altare non accedant, ne et illi moriantur, et vos pereatis simul. 4But let them be with thee, and watch in the charge of the tabernacle, and in all the ceremonies thereof. A stranger shall not join himself with you.Eglino saranno con te, e veglieranno a guardia del tabernacolo, e a tutto il servigio di esso. Nissuno di altra stirpe si mescolerà con voi.but let them be with thee, and watch in the custodies of the tabernacle, and in al the ceremonies therof. A stranger shal not ioyne with you.Sint autem tecum, et excubent in custodiis tabernaculi, et in omnibus cæremoniis ejus. Alienigena non miscebitur vobis.
5Watch ye in the charge of the sanctuary, and in the ministry of the altar: lest indignation rise upon the children of Israel.Vegliate alla custodia del santuario, e al ministero dell'altare; affinché non iscoppi l'ira(mia) contro i figliuoli d'Israele.Watch in the custodie of the Sanctuarie, and in the ministerie of the altar: lest indignation rise vpon the children of Israel.Excubate in custodia sanctuarii, et in ministerio altaris: ne oriatur indignatio super filios Israël. 6I have given you your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel, and have delivered them for a gift to the Lord, to serve in the ministries of the tabernacle.Io ho dati a voi i vostri fratelli Leviti separati dagli altri figliuoli d'Israele, e a voi gli ho rimessi, come dono fatto al Signore, affinché servano negli uffici del suo tabernacolo.I haue geuen you your brethren the Leuites out of the middes of the children of Israel, and haue deliuered them a gifte to the Lord, to serue in the ministeries of his tabernacle.Ego dedi vobis fratres vestros Levitas de medio filiorum Israël, et tradidi donum Domino, ut serviant in ministeriis tabernaculi ejus. 7But thou and thy sons look ye to the priesthood: and all things that pertain to the service of the altar, and that are within the veil, shall be executed by the priests. If any stranger shall approach, he shall be slain.Tu poi, e i tuoi figliuoli custodite il vostro sacerdozio: e tutte le cose, che spettano al culto dell'altare, e quelle che sono di là dal velo, saranno sotto il governo de' sacerdoti. Se alcuno estraneo vi metterà la mano, sarà ucciso.And thou and thy sonnes looke to your priesthood: and al thinges that perteyne to the seruice of the altar, and that are within the vele, shal be executed by the priestes. if anie stranger approch, he shal be slaine.Tu autem et filii tui custodite sacerdotium vestrum: et omnia quæ ad cultum altaris pertinent, et intra velum sunt, per sacerdotes administrabuntur: si quis externus accesserit, occidetur. 8And the Lord said to Aaron: Behold I have given thee the charge of my firstfruits. All things that are sanctified by the children of Israel, I have delivered to thee and to thy sons for the priestly office, by everlasting ordinances.E il Signore disse ad Aronne: Ecco che io ho date a te in custodia le mie primizie. Tutte le cose, che sono offerte da' figliuoli d'Israele, le ho rimesse a te, e ai tuoi figliuoli per ragion dell'ufficio sacerdotale: questa è legge perpetua.And our Lord spake to Aaron, behold I haue geuen thee the custodie of my first fruites. Al thinges that are sanctified of the children of Israel, haue I deliuered to thee and to thy sonnes for the priestlie office, as euerlasting ordinances.Locutusque est Dominus ad Aaron: Ecce dedi tibi custodiam primitiarum mearum. Omnia quæ sanctificantur a filiis Israël, tradidi tibi et filiis tuis pro officio sacerdotali legitima sempiterna.
9These therefore shalt thou take of the things that are sanctified, and are offered to the Lord. Every offering, and sacrifice, and whatsoever is rendered to me for sin and for trespass, and becometh holy of holies, shall be for thee and thy sons.Ecco adunque quel che tu prenderai delle cose santificate, e offerte al Signore. Qualunque obblazione, e sacrifizio, e qualunque cosa è data a me per lo peccato, e per il delitto, onde diviene santissima, sarà tua, e de' tuoi figliuoli.These thinges therfore shalt thou take of those, that are sanctified, and are offered to the Lord. Al oblation, and sacrifice, and whatsoeuer is rendred to me for sinne and offence, & becometh Holie of holies, shal be thine, and thy sonnes.Hæc ergo accipies de his, quæ sanctificantur et oblata sunt Domino. Omnis oblatio, et sacrificium, et quidquid pro peccato atque delicto redditur mihi, et cedit in Sancta sanctorum, tuum erit, et filiorum tuorum. 10Thou shalt eat it in the sanctuary: the males only shall eat thereof, because it is a consecrated thing to thee.Tu la mangerai nel santuario: i maschi soli ne mangeranno, perché è cosa riserbata a te.In the Sanctuarie shalt thou eate it: males onlie shal eate therof, because it is to thee a cōsecrated thing.In sanctuario comedes illud: mares tantum edent ex eo, quia consecratum est tibi. 11But the firstfruits, which the children of Israel shall vow and offer, I have given to thee, and to thy sons, and to thy daughters, by a perpetual law. He that is clean in thy house, shall eat them.Quanto poi alle primizie votive, e offerte da' figliuoli d'Israele, io le ho date a te, e a' tuoi figliuoli, e alle tue figlie per diritto perpetuo: chiunque è mondo nella tua casa, ne mangerà.But the first fruites, which the children of Israel shal vow and offer, I haue geuen thee, and thy sonnes, and thy daughters for a perpetual right. he that is cleane in thy house, shal eate themPrimitias autem, quas voverint et obtulerint filii Israël, tibi dedi, et filiis tuis, ac filiabus tuis, jure perpetuo: qui mundus est in domo tua, vescetur eis. 12All 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.Il più squisito olio, e vino, e frumento, e tutte le primizie offerte al Signore, le ho date a te.Al the best of oile, and wine, and corne, whatsoeuer first fruites they offer to the Lord, I haue geuen them to thee.Omnem medullam olei, et vini, ac frumenti, quidquid offerunt primitiarum Domino, tibi dedi.
13All the firstripe of the fruits, that the ground bringeth forth, and which are brought to the Lord, shall be for thy use: he that is clean in thy house, shall eat them.Tutti i primi frutti prodotti dalla terra, e portati (davanti) al Signore serviranno ad uso tuo: chiunque in tua casa è mondo, ne mangerà.Of fruites al the first, that the ground bringeth forth, and are brought to the Lord, shal turne to thy vses: he that is cleane in thy house, shal eate them.Universa frugum initia, quas gignit humus, et Domino deportantur, cedent in usus tuos: qui mundus est in domo tua, vescetur eis. 14Every thing that the children of Israel shall give by vow, shall be thine.Tutto quello che i figliuoli d'Israele offeriranno per voto, sarà tuo.Euerie thing that the children of Israel render by vow, shal be thine.Omne quod ex voto reddiderint filii Israël, tuum erit. 15Whatsoever is firstborn of all flesh, which they offer to the Lord, whether it be of men, or of beasts, shall belong to thee: only for the firstborn of man thou shalt take a price, and every beast that is unclean thou shalt cause to be redeemed,Tutti i primogeniti di qualunque specie, che si offeriscono al Signore sia degli uomini, sia degli animali, saranno di tua ragione: con questo però, che in cambio del primogenito dell'uomo riceverai il riscatto, e farai che sia riscattato qualunque animale immondo:Whatsoeuer first breaketh forth from the matrice of al flesh, which they offer to the Lord, whether it be of men, or of beastes, shal be thy right: yet so, that for the first borne of man thou take a price, and euerie beast that is vncleane thou cause to be redemed,Quidquid primum erumpit e vulva cunctæ carnis, quam offerunt Domino, sive ex hominibus, sive de pecoribus fuerit, tui juris erit: ita dumtaxat ut pro hominis primogenito pretium accipias, et omne animal quod immundum est redimi facias, 16And the redemption of it shall be after one month, for five sicles of silver, by the weight of the sanctuary. A sicle hath twenty obols.Il riscatto dell'uomo si farà dopo un mese con cinque sicli d'argento al peso del santuario. Il siclo ha venti oboli.whose redemption shal be after one moneth, for fiue sicles of siluer, by the weight of the Sanctuarie. A sicle hath twentie oboles.cujus redemptio erit post unum mensem, siclis argenti quinque, pondere sanctuarii. Siclus viginti obolos habet. 17But the firstling of a cow, and of a sheep and of a goat thou shalt not cause to be redeemed, because they are sanctified to the Lord. Their blood only thou shalt pour upon the altar, and their fat thou shalt burn for a most sweet odour to the Lord.Non farai però riscattare i primogeniti della vacca, e della pecora, e della capra; perché sono consacrati al Signore: spargerai soltanto il loro sangue sopra l'altare, e brucerai il grasso in odor soavissimo al Signore.But the first borne of beefe and sheepe and goate thou shalt not cause to be redemed, because they are sanctified to the Lord. onlie the bloud of them thou shalt powre vpon the altar, and the fatte thou shalt burne for a most sweete odour to the Lord.Primogenitum autem bovis, et ovis, et capræ, non facies redimi, quia sanctificata sunt Domino. Sanguinem tantum eorum fundes super altare, et adipes adolebis in suavissimum odorem Domino.
18But the flesh shall fall to thy use, as the consecrated breast, and the right shoulder shall be thine.Le carni poi serviranno ad uso tuo, come il petto consacrato, e la spalla destra saran cose tue.But the flesh shal turne to thy vse, as the consecrated brest, and the right shoulder, shal be thine.Carnes vero in usum tuum cedent, sicut pectusculum consecratum, et armus dexter: tua erunt. 19All the firstfruits of the sanctuary which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to thee and to thy sons and daughters, by a perpetual ordinance. It is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord, to thee and to thy sons.Tutte le primizie del santuario, le quali sono offerte da' figliuoli d'Israele al Signore, le ho date a te, e a' tuoi figliuoli, e figlie per diritto perpetuo. Questo è patto inalterabile, e sempiterno dinanzi al Signore per te, e pe' tuoi figliuoli.Al the first fruites of the Sanctuarie which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, haue I geuen thee and thy sonnes, and daughters for a perpetual right A couenant of salt is it for euer before the Lord, to thee and to thy sonnes.Omnes primitias sanctuarii, quas offerunt filii Israël Domino, tibi dedi, et filiis, ac filiabus tuis, jure perpetuo. Pactum salis est sempiternum coram Domino, tibi ac filiis tuis. 20And the Lord said to Aaron: You shall possess nothing in their land, neither shall you have a portion among them: I am thy portion and inheritance in the midst of the children of Israel.E il Signore disse ad Aronne: Voi non possederete nulla nella terra de' vostri fratelli, e non avrete parte alla loro eredità: io tua porzione, ed eredità in mezzo a' figliuoli d'Israele.And our Lord said to Aaron: In their land you shal possesse nothing, neither shal you haue a portion among them: I am thy portion and inheritance in the middes of the children of Israel.Dixitque Dominus ad Aaron: In terra eorum nihil possidebitis, nec habebitis partem inter eos: ego pars et hæreditas tua in medio filiorum Israël. 21And I have given to the sons of Levi all the tithes of Israel for a possession, for the ministry wherewith they serve me in the tabernacle of the covenant:A' figliuoli di Levi ho dato il diritto di tutte le decime d'Israele per ragione del ministero, che esercitano per me nel tabernacolo dell'alleanza.And to the sonnes of Leui I haue geuen al the tithes of Israel in possession for the ministerie wherwith they serue me in the tabernacle of couenant:Filiis autem Levi dedi omnes decimas Israëlis in possessionem, pro ministerio, quo serviunt mihi in tabernaculo fœderis:
22That the children of Israel may not approach any more to the tabernacle, nor commit deadly sin,Affinché non si accostino più i figliuoli d'Israele al tabernacolo, e non commettano un fallo, che porti morte,that the children of Israel approch not any more to the tabernacle, nor committe deadlie sinne,ut non accedant ultra filii Israël ad tabernaculum, nec committant peccatum mortiferum, 23But only the sons of Levi may serve me in the tabernacle, and bear the sins of the people. It shall be an everlasting ordinance in your generations. They shall not possess any other thing,Servendo a me i soli figliuoli di Levi nel tabernacolo, e portando essi i peccati del popolo: questa sarà legge eterna per la vostra posterità. Eglino non possederanno altra cosa,onlie the sonnes of Leui seruing me in the tabernacle, and bearing the sinnes of the people. it shal be an euerlasting ordinance in your generations. No other thing shal they possesse,solis filiis Levi mihi in tabernaculo servientibus, et portantibus peccata populi. Legitimum sempiternum erit in generationibus vestris. Nihil aliud possidebunt, 24But be content with the oblation or tithes, which I have separated for their uses and necessities.Contentandosi delle decime offerte, le quali io ho separate ad uso loro, e pelle loro necessità.being content with the oblation of tithes, which I haue separated for their vses and necessaries.decimarum oblatione contenti, quas in usus eorum et necessaria separavi. 25And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:E il Signore parlò a Mosè, e disse:And our Lord spake to Moyses, saying:Locutusque est Dominus ad Moysen, dicens: 26Command the Levites, and declare unto them: When you shall receive of the children of Israel the tithes, which I have given you, offer the firstfruits of them to the Lord, that is to say, the tenth part of the tenth:Da' quest'ordine, e fa' questa intimazione a' Leviti: Quando voi avrete riscosso da' figliuoli d'Israele le decime, le quali io ho date a voi, ne offerirete le primizie al Signore, vale a dire la decima parte delle decime,Command the Leuites, and denounce vnto them: When you shal receiue of the children of Israel the tithes, which I haue geuen you, offer first fruites of them to the Lord, that is to say, the tenth part of the tenth:Præcipe Levitis, atque denuntia: Cum acceperitis a filiis Israël decimas, quas dedi vobis, primitias earum offerte Domino, id est, decimam partem decimæ, 27That it may be reckoned to you as an oblation of firstfruits, as well of the barnfloors as of the winepresses:Affinché questo sia contato a voi come un'offerta delle primizie tanto dell'aia, come dello strettoio:that it may be reputed to you for an oblation of first fruites, as wel of the barne floores as of the presses,ut reputetur vobis in oblationem primitivorum, tam de areis quam de torcularibus:
28And of all the things of which you receive tithes, offer the firstfruits to the Lord, and give them to Aaron the priest.E di tutto quello che vi è dato, offerite le primizie al Signore, e datele ad Aronne sacerdote.and of al thinges wherof you receiue tithes, the first fruites offer to the Lord, and geue them to Aaron the priest.et universis quorum accipitis primitias, offerte Domino, et date Aaron sacerdoti. 29All the things that you shall offer of the tithes, and shall separate for the gifts of the Lord, shall be the best and choicest things.Tutto quello che offerirete delle decime, e quello che separarete per donarlo al Signore, sarà l'ottimo, e il più scelto.Al thinges that you shal offer of the tithes, and shal separate for the giftes of the Lord, they shal be the best and chosen thinges.Omnia quæ offeretis ex decimis, et in donaria Domini separabitis, optima et electa erunt. 30And thou shalt say to them: If you offer all the goodly and the better things of the tithes, it shall be reckoned to you as if you had given the firstfruits of the barnfloor and the winepress:Dirai ancora a' Leviti: Se il più bello, e il meglio offerirete delle decime, avrete merito, come se deste le primizie dell'aia, e dello strettoio.And thou shalt say to them: If you offer al the goodlie and the better thinges of the tithes, it shal be reputed to you as if you had geuen first fruites of the barne floore and the presse:Dicesque ad eos: Si præclara et meliora quæque obtuleritis ex decimis, reputabitur vobis quasi de area, et torculari dederitis primitias: 31And you shall eat them in all your places, both you and your families: because it is your reward for the ministry, wherewith you serve in the tabernacle of the testimony.Le decime saranno vostro sostentamento in qualunque luogo abitate e voi, e le vostre famiglie: perché son desse la mercede del ministero, a cui servite nel tabernacolo del testimonio.and you shal eate them in al your places, as wel you as your families: because it is the reward for the ministerie, wherwith you serue in the tabernacle of testimonie.et comedetis eas in omnibus locis vestris, tam vos quam familiæ vestræ: quia pretium est pro ministerio, quo servitis in tabernaculo testimonii. 32And you shall not sin in this point, by reserving the choicest and fat things to yourselves, lest you profane the oblations of the children of Israel, and die.E vi guarderete dal mancare in questo col serbare per voi il meglio, e il più scelto: non contaminate le obblazioni de' figliuoli d'Israele per non essere puniti di morte.And you shal not sinne in this point, reseruing the principal and fatte thinges to your selues lest you pollute the oblations of the children of Israel, and die.Et non peccabitis super hoc, egregia vobis et pinguia reservantes, ne polluatis oblationes filiorum Israël, et moriamini.
18:1
Calmet
Priesthood. If you transgress, or if you neglect to instruct and watch over those who are employed about the sanctuary, you shall be responsible for it. (Calmet)
Menochius
You must resist those strangers who would intrude themselves into the office, which I have confirmed to you by miracles. (Menochius)
18:2
Calmet
Sceptre. Hebrew shebet, denotes also "tribe, family," etc. The princes of families probably bore a sceptre, as we find all magistrates did in the days of Homer. (Iliad I.; Virgil, Aeneid XII.) (Calmet)
18:4
Maimonides
Stranger; even born of a woman of the tribe of Levi. (Maimonides)
18:7
Haydock
Priests. Hebrew, "you shall serve in the ministry of priests which I have given you." The office was not due to them on account of any superior merit. (Haydock)
18:8
Menochius
Charge, as stewards or dispensers (Calmet) of what is offered to me; part of which I abandon to your use, as long as your republic shall subsist. (Menochius)
First-fruits, or "heave-offerings," which comprised also the victims, first-born, etc., over which the high priest had a general inspection.
Calmet
Office. Hebrew, "unction." Septuagint, "as a reward," or salary for your labour, in performing the duty of priest. (Calmet)
18:9
And are. Hebrew, "This shall be thine, of the most holy things, from the fire." Some parts of the victims for sin and of the libations, were to be consumed, while the rest was given to the priests. These libations were not properly styled holy of holies, (which were to be eaten only in the holy place, by those who were in actual service) no more than the peace-offerings were, of which even women might partake, ver. 11, 12., and Leviticus 10:14.
18:11
Calmet
House, perpetually. Hired servants were not admitted to eat of them, Leviticus 22:10. (Calmet)
18:12
Haydock
The best, (medullam.) Literally, "the marrow." (Haydock)
Menochius
The fattest and most delicious. (Menochius)
18:13
Calmet
First-ripe, (initia.) "The beginnings" (Haydock) of the fruit of trees, in the fourth year, Leviticus 19:24. It may also comprise all the fruits of the earth. (Calmet)
First-fruits must be distinguished from tithes, which were only the tenth part. The former were offered immediately to the Lord, but the latter to the priests, etc., for their support. Besides the first-fruits of ears of corn at the Passover, and of bread at Pentecost, and at every weekly baking, first-fruits were to be given in the 7th month of the harvest and of the vintage, according to each person's generosity, provided he gave between the 40th and the 60th part of his revenue; and these last are commonly the first-fruits meant in Scripture.
Menochius
Lord, in sacrifice. If they were given to the priest, the unclean might partake of them. (Menochius)
18:15
Abenezra
Beast. The Rabbins restrain this to the ass alone, which they pretend was deemed the only unclean animal by the Israelites, in Egypt, when this law was established; and Moses indeed specifies it alone, Exodus 13:13. (Abenezra)
Menochius
But we cannot doubt but that camels, and all other unclean animals, were to be included, if the Hebrews kept them; (Calmet) and those which were rendered impure by some defect, were also to be redeemed. (Menochius)
18:16
Calmet
Of it; the first-born of man. The child might be redeemed sooner, and sometimes they waited till after the purification of the mother, or 40 days, as our blessed Lady did, Luke 2:22. (Calmet)
Haydock
Five sicles of silver, or about 11s. 6d. English, were then to be paid, unless poverty obliged them to give only two turtles or pigeons. (Haydock)
Calmet
Beasts might be redeemed after they were eight days old, Exodus 13:12. Leo of Modena, (p. 1. C. 9,) informs us, that when a child is to be redeemed, at present, the father sends for a descendant of Aaron, who, after enquiring of the mother, if she have had no child before; and of the father, if he wish to redeem the infant, says aloud, "This child, being the first-born, belongs to me; as it is said, (Numbers 18:16,) Thou shalt redeem the child of a month old for five sicles. But I take this (about two crowns of gold) instead." (Calmet)
But how can these priests prove their genealogy, since the distinction of the tribes has been so long lost?
Haydock
Of silver. Hebrew, "according to thy estimation, for the money of five sicles, by the sicle of the sanctuary, which hath 20 geras." (Haydock)
18:18
Calmet
Thine. So that thy wife and children, if clean, may eat the flesh. (Calmet)
18:19
Challoner
A covenant of salt. It is a proverbial expression, signifying a covenant not to be altered or corrupted; as salt is used to keep things from corruption; a covenant perpetual, like that by which it was appointed that salt should be used in every sacrifice, Leviticus 2:3. (Challoner)
Calmet
Thus God gave the kingdom to David for ever, by a covenant of salt, 2 Paralipomenon 13:5. Salt is an emblem of eternity. Oleaster believes, that salt was used in the ratification of all solemn covenants, to denote their stability. (Calmet)
18:20
Nothing. No portion of land, like the other tribes; but only some towns and suburbs, allotted to thy children in the midst of the Israelites. They might purchase land as well as others, and might obtain a property by the vows of their brethren, Leviticus 27:14. Jeremias (xxxii. 7,) and St. Barnabas had land, Acts 4:37. God had provided for his ministers abundantly, without exposing them to much trouble. The Levites enjoyed the tithes of all the produce of the country, besides the first-fruits of corn, dough, etc., and some parts of each beast that was killed in the town, Deuteronomy 18:3. The priests, who were still fewer in number, enjoyed the 100th part of the revenue of all Israel, receiving tithes from the Levites, and innumerable accidental offerings of wine, etc., which made Philo say (de praem. Sacerd.) that "the law of Moses gave the priests all the splendour of kings." They might, therefore, be zealous to preserve religion for their own temporal advantages.
Calmet
I am, etc. God promises to reward those who serve him with fidelity, Deuteronomy 18:1., and Josue 13:14. The priests of the new law ought more particularly to serve him with disinterestedness, for his own sake. (Calmet)
Haydock
Of this they are reminded, when they take the first step towards holy orders. The bishop cuts off some of their hair in the form of a cross, while they recite, The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, and of my cup; it is Thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me, Psalm 15:5. (Pontif. Rom.) (Haydock)
St. Jerome
"Some possess riches, while they serve Christ, who appeared in the garb of poverty." (St. Jerome, ad Nepot.)
18:22
Challoner
Deadly sin. That is, sin which will bring death after it. (Challoner)
Haydock
Hebrew, "lest they bear sin unto death," and fall like their brethren, (Numbers 17:13.) (Haydock)
18:23
Calmet
People; or the Hebrew may be also, "they shall bear their own iniquity." If they prove negligent in performing their duty, they shall be punished; and if they do not restrain the people from approaching the tabernacle, they shall be answerable for their offence, and both shall incur death. (Calmet)
Haydock
They shall, however, save their own souls, if they have not been deficient in instructing the people, and in doing their utmost to prevent any profanation. (Haydock)
18:27
Menochius
As an. Thus you will perform your duty, as well as if you gave corn and wine of your own growth. (Menochius)
Calmet
Presses. Hebrew yakeb, means also the tub where wine was kept. Jonathan translates, "as the ripe (old) wine of the tub of your wine-press;" insinuating that the wine must be fit for use. (ver. 29, 30.) (Calmet)
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Haydock
By, etc. Hebrew, "when you have made a heave-offering of the best of it; nor shall you profane the holy things of," etc. (Haydock)
Du Hamel
This they would do, if they gave the worst only to the priests. (Du Hamel)
Tirinus
There were only three at this time; yet they received the 100th part of the produce of so many thousands. Well therefore might God say, I will fill the souls of the priests with fatness: and my people shall be filled with good things, Jeremias 31:14. (Tirinus)
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Thou, and thy father’s house with thee, shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary.... That is, you shall be punished if, through negligence or want of due attention, you err in the discharge of the sacred functions for which you were ordained.
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A covenant of salt.... It is a proverbial expression, signifying a covenant not to be altered or corrupted; as salt is used to keep things from corruption; a covenant perpetual, like that by which it was appointed, that salt should be used in every sacrifice. Lev. 2.
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Deadly sin.... That is, sin which will bring death after it.
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Oz• was slaine for touching the arck •. Reg. 6.
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This couenant of firstfruites and other rights geuen to the Priests shal be perpetual, as salt is in euerie sacrifice. Leuit. 2.
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Punishable with death.
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san Girolamo † 420 d.C. The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary 12
12. Our position is this: Every only begotten son is a first-born son, but not every first-born is an only begotten. By first-born we understand not only one who is succeeded by others, but one who has had no predecessor.
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san Girolamo † 420 d.C. The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary 12
… Otherwise, if the title belongs to such only as have younger brothers, the priests cannot claim the firstlings until their successors have been begotten, lest, perchance, in case there were no subsequent delivery it should prove to be the first-born but not merely the only begotten.
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sant'Ireneo di Lione † 202 d.C. Against Heresies 4.8.3
… he kept Thy commandments, and observed Thy covenant.” But who are they that have left father and mother, and have said adieu to all their neighbours, on account of the word of God and His covenant, unless the disciples of the Lord? Of whom again Moses says, “They shall have no inheritance, for the Lord Himself is their inheritance.”
san Girolamo † 420 d.C. The Letters of St. Jerome 118.4
… but give everything to the poor and make to yourself friends of the mammon of unrighteousness that they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Obey the Master’s injunction “follow me,” and take the Lord of the world for your possession; that you may be able to sing with the prophet, “The Lord is my portion,” and like a true Levite
san Girolamo † 420 d.C. Against Jovinianus 2.10
… ye who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.” Why did two tribes and a half dwell on the other side of Jordan, a district abounding in cattle, while the remaining nine tribes and a half either drove out the old inhabitants from their possessions, or dwelt with them? Why did the tribe of Levi
sant'Agostino d'Ippona † 430 d.C. Expositions on the Book of Psalms 16.6
6. “The lines have fallen to me in glorious places” ( ver. 6 ). The boundaries of my possession have fallen in Thy glory as it were by lot, like as God is the possession of the Priests and Levites.
sant'Agostino d'Ippona † 430 d.C. Expositions on the Book of Psalms 68.16
… though this word is Greek, and the Testament is not so named, the reason is, because through a testament is given inheritance, which in Greek is called κληρονομία , and an heir κληρονόμος Now κλῆρος in Greek is the term for lot, and lots according to the promise of God are called those parts of the inheritance which were distributed to the people.
sant'Agostino d'Ippona † 430 d.C. Expositions on the Book of Psalms 76.1
… What we call tribes are as it were distinct houses and congregations of people. That people, I say, had twelve tribes, out of which twelve tribes one tribe was Judah, out of which were the kings; and there was another tribe, Levi, out of which were the priests. But because to the priests serving the temple no land was allotted,
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Origene † 254 d.C. Origen's Commentary on Matthew 13.30
… he who distinguishes between the brother and him who is called the brother, might teach that, in the case of the least of the sins of men, he who has not repented after the telling of the fault is to be reckoned as a Gentile and a publican, for sins which are “not unto death,” or, as the law has described them in the Book of Numbers, not “death-bringing.”
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sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Duties of the Clergy 1.50
… For your portion is God. For when their earthly possessions were portioned out by Moses to the people of our fathers, the Lord suffered not the Levites to have a share in that earthly possession,
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san Girolamo † 420 d.C. The Letters of St. Jerome 52.5
… Suppose, for instance, that he holds to gold or silver, or possessions or inlaid furniture; with such portions as these the Lord will not deign to be his portion. I, if I am the portion of the Lord, and the line of His heritage, receive no portion among the remaining tribes; but, like the Priest and the Levite, I live on the tithe,
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Giovanni Cassiano † 435 d.C. The Conferences of John Cassian 21.3
For indeed by the Lord’s command tithes were consecrated to the service of the Levites, but oblations and firstfruits for the priests.
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papa san Clemente I † 99 d.C. The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians 29
… His people Jacob became the portion of the Lord, and Israel the lot of His inheritance.” And in another place [the Scripture] saith, “Behold, the Lord taketh unto Himself a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man takes the first-fruits of his threshing-floor; and from that nation shall come forth the Most Holy.”
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1. TU ET FILII TUI PORTABITIS INIQUITATEM SANCTUARII, — q. d. Tu et tui posteri, utpote sacerdotes, dabitis poenas, si quid peccatum fuerit a quopiam e populo, in caeremoniis Sanctuarii, aut si externus quis eis se immisceat, vestra negligentia, aut timore et dissimulatione. Jam enim vos confirmavi in sacerdotio, auctoritatemque per duo miracula enarrata cap. xvi et xvii, apud populum vobis conciliavi: vestrum ergo est sacra Dei et sacerdotii jura animose tueri.
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2. ET SCEPTRUM PATRIS TUI SUME TECUM. — Sceptrum, id est tribum. Hebraeum enim שבט scebet et sceptrum et tribum significat. Quaelibet enim tribus suam habebat virgam sive sceptrum, uti dixi cap. xvii, 3. Unde Septuaginta vertunt, populum patris tui, scilicet Levitas oriundos ex Levi patre tuo.
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3. EXCUBABUNTQUE LEVITAE AD PRAECEPTA TUA, — ut ea impleant, ceu famuli vigiles, qui stant et quasi excubant, exspectantes herorum mandata et imperia; unde hebraice est: Custodiant custodiam tuam, id est exactissime et diligentissime custodient praecepta tua. Hoc enim studium et diligentiam significat haec repetitio custodiae. ET AD CUNCTA OPERA TABERNACULI, — ut scilicet ea custodiant et portent, cum movenda sunt castra; deponant et erigant, cum figenda sunt castra. NE ET ILLI MORIANTUR ET VOS. — Illi, propter transgressionem, puta contactum sacrorum eis vetitum; vos, propter omissionem et negligentiam, qua eos sacris non prohibuistis.
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4. Et in omnibus caeremoniis ejus. — Caeremoniae hic vocantur ministrationes religiosae Levitarum circa tabernaculum ejusque vasa, quas commemoravi vers. 3. Ubi nota: Idem, aut pene idem sunt haec quinque, scilicet excubiae, opera, ministrationes, custodiae, caeremoniae tabernaculi; haec enim omnia non aliud significant quam officia et ministeria, quae obeunda erant Levitis et sacerdotibus circa tabernaculum. In iis enim excubare debent sacerdotes, aeque ac milites in castris, atque in iis militare bonam militiam, ut ait S. Paulus.
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EXCUBATE IN CUSTODIA SANCTUARII ET MINISTERIO ALTARIS, NE ORIATUR INDIGNATIO SUPER FILIOS ISRAEL. — Nota: Deus hic minatur se negligentiam sacrorum et sacerdotum ulturum in populum, quia populus cum sacerdotibus unum facit corpus et rempublicam, et populi est alere sacerdotes, itaque curare, ut sacra rite ab eis obeantur. Sacerdotum ergo est rite sacra tractare, itaque mediatores se inter Deum et populum interponere, atque ab eo iram Dei avertere. Audiant haec Christiani et sacerdotes novi Testamenti, illudque quod sequitur: Tu et filii tui, custodite sacerdotium vestrum, et omnia quae ad cultum altaris pertinent; unde recte ait S. Paulus: Nemo militans Deo implicat se negotiis saecularibus, II Timoth. ii, 4, multo minus otio, ambitioni, desidiae et deliciis. Audiant vani, desides et delicati clerici probrum, quod eis intentat S. Bernardus scribens ad Eugenium Pontificem: Vides, inquit, nonnullorum in Ecclesia zelum omnem fervere pro dignitate tuenda; dignitati datur totum, sanctitati parum vel nihil: inter haec tu, Pastor, incedis circumdatus varietate, et quid interim faciunt oves? Hoc quippe fateor, pascua sunt daemonum, non hominum. Audiant Hugonem Cardinalem in Genes. xlvii, ex S. Bernardo haec in clericos molles, qui omnium statuum delicias, nullius vero onera et labores sibi accersunt, detonantem: Habent, inquit, singula hominum officia laboris aliquid, et aliquid quod delectet. Adverte quorumdam prudentiam, qui novo inter haec artificio discurrentes, totum quod delectat, eligunt et amplectuntur; quod molestum est, fugiunt et declinant. Cum militibus superbiae fastus, amplam familiam, phaleras, accipitres, aleas et hujusmodi frequentant. A mulierculis dependentes a collo murium pelles, ornatos thalamos, balnea et omnem mollitiem mutuantur. Caute omnino fugiunt loricae pondus, et insomnes in castris noctes, et incerta bellorum discrimina; atque muliebrem verecundiam et disciplinam, et, si quid sexus ille habet laboris, declinant. Cum resurgere coeperint homines in ordine suo, ubi putas generatio ista collocabitur? Si divertere voluerint ad milites, eos repellent pro eo quod secum minime labores et pericula tolerarunt: sic agricolae, sic vinitores et caeteri. Quid ergo restat, nisi quia omnis ordo eos expellit et accusat, ut illum sortiantur locum, ubi nullus ordo, sed sempiternus horror inhabitat. Dixit S. Paulus ex Mose: Non alligabis os bovi; cuinam bovi? numquid ludenti? numquid lascivienti? numquid otio vacanti? minime, sed trituranti, sed in area laboranti; nam, ut idem ait II Thessal. iii: Si quis non vult operari, nec manducet. Legant clerici qui fructus Ecclesiae carpunt, et laborem Ecclesiae non impendunt, S. Bernardum in illud: Ecce nos reliquimus omnia; et S. Gregorium, homil. 17 in Evang.
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6. Et tradidi donum Domino. — Domino, id est mihi; sunt enim haec verba Domini, qui hic more Hebraeo de se loquitur in tertia persona.
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7. OMNIA QUAE INTRA VELUM SUNT, PER SACERDOTES ADMINISTRABUNTUR. — Intra velum, id est intra Sanctum, et intra Sanctum sanctorum. Duplex enim erat velum: unum, dirimens Sanctum ab atrio; alterum, dirimens Sanctum a Sancto sanctorum. Levitae ergo hic arcentur ingressu tam Sancti quam Sancti sanctorum.
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8. Ecce dedi tibi (o Aaron) custodiam PRIMITIARUM MEARUM. — Primitiarum, id est oblationum; pro iis enim saepe capitur vox primitiae tam a Septuaginta quam a nostro Interprete. Unde sequitur explicationis causa: Omnia quae sanctificantur a filiis Israel, id est omnia quae mihi segregantur et offeruntur. Nam hebraice est, dedi tibi custodiam oblationum mearum, puta omnium sanctitatum, id est sanctificatorum filiorum Israel, ut videlicet et custodias, id est custodiri jubeas, et cures omnia quae filii Israel Deo offerunt et consecrant; sed ea limitatione et determinatione quae sequitur, ut scilicet ea inter filios tuos, id est inter minores sacerdotes, dividas et distribuas. LEGITIMA SEMPITERNA, — ut scilicet tibi tuisque sacerdotibus cedant, quasi legitima et jura tibi et sacerdotibus lege perpetua debita: unde hebraice est lege, sive statuto aeterno.
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9. OMNIS OBLATIO ET SACRIFICIUM, ET QUIDQUID PRO PECCATO ATQUE DELICTO REDDITUR MIHI, ET CEDIT (cedere solet et debet) IN SANCTA SANCTORUM, TUUM ERIT ET FILIORUM TUORUM, — q. d. Quidquid mihi offertur et sacrificatur, ideoque est sanctum sanctorum, id est, est sanctissimum, hoc cedet solis sacerdotibus, non Levitis. Prima haec est lex, et primum donum, quasi stipendium a Deo consignatum sacerdotibus, scilicet victimae quaelibet, et sacrificia ex legis praescripto oblata.
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10. In Sanctuario (in atrio Sanctuarii sive tabernaculi, juxta altare holocaustorum) comedes ILLUD. — Omnia enim sacrificia sive victimae comedi debebant in atrio tabernaculi; alia vero dona sive oblationes, ut primitiae et decimae, poterant domi comedi. MARES TANTUM EDENT EX EO, — scilicet sacrificio pro peccato et delicto, quod proxime praecessit, quodque, ut dictum est, est sanctum sanctorum, id est, est sanctissimum. Nam ex hostia pacifica, etiam feminae comedebant, ut patet Levit. x, 14, Deuter. xii, 18, et xvi, 11. QUIA CONSECRATUM EST TIBI. — Hebraice, sanctitas erit tibi, id est tibi segregata erit, et ad te pertinebit haec oblatio, utpote sancta ad sanctum, id est consecrata Deo.
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11. PRIMITIAS AUTEM QUAS VOVERINT ET OBTULERINT FILII ISRAEL, TIBI DEDI, ET FILIIS TUIS. — Primitias, id est oblationes; ita enim habent Hebraea: Oblationem doni eorum, omnes oblationes quas obtulerint filii Israel, dedi tibi, q. d. Dedi etiam tibi, o Aaron, et filiis tuis sacerdotibus, quidquid ad immolandum dono dederint et obtulerint filii Israel. Nam de sacrificiis hic agi patet ex eo quod sequitur: Omnis mundus vescetur ex eo; ex primitiis enim, decimis et aliis sponte oblatis, nec tamen immolatis, poterant vesci etiam immundi. Haec est secunda lex, et secundum donum a Deo consignatum sacerdotibus, scilicet omnes victimae sponte oblatae.
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12. OMNEM MEDULLAM OLEI ET VINI AC FRUMENTI, QUIDQUID OFFERUNT PRIMITIARUM DOMINO, TIBI DEDI. — Medullam, hebraice pinguedinem, q. d. Quod pinguissimum et optimum est inter frumenta, vina et oleum, dedi tibi. Nam Hebraei pro primitiis debebant offerre, non pessima, sed optima, uti praecipitur vers. 29 et 32. Est haec tertia lex et tertium donum sacerdotum, scilicet primitiae frugum.
Nota tertio: Est tamen solutio primitiarum, uti et decimarum, juri et rationi naturali valde consentanea. Ratio enim naturalis dictat decens esse ut Deo prima quaeque offeramus. Hinc etiam apud veteres Romanos, non gustabant novas fruges aut vina, antequam sacerdotes primitias libassent, ut ait Plinius, lib. xviii, cap. ii. Pari modo Ethnici decimas solvebant. Vide Plinium, lib. xix, cap. xiv, et Plutarchum in Lucullo, et in Problemat. cap. xvi. Pluribus idipsum ostendam in fine capitis. Hinc et ante legem, Abraham, ex Dei et naturae instinctu, decimas dedit Melchisedecho, Genes. xiv; et Jacob vovit decimas cunctorum quae ab eo acciperet, Genes. xxviii. Recta enim ratio dictat ut justa et decens portio bonorum offeratur Deo; talis autem est decima. Cui adde causam symbolicam: denarius enim significat perfectionem, est enim terminus numerorum simplicium, omnes illos continens; caeteri enim ex ipso semel vel saepius repetito, et ex alio simplici componuntur. Itaque qui decimam Deo in ministris solvit, sibi novem retinens, significat se esse imperfectum, et exspectare perfectionem a Deo per ipsius ministros.
Ita tropologice, Christianos non tantum vitae et studiorum, sed et operum et actionum singularum primordia, Deo offerre decet. Hinc et ab olim Imperatores mox a creatione sua, officium et obsequium suum Romano Pontifici, quasi primitias imperii deferebant. Fecit id inter alios Justinus Imperator, ad quem rescribens Hormisda Pontifex: Debitas, inquit, B. Petro Apostolo imperii vestri primitias reddidistis.
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13. Universa frugum initia (initia, id est primitiae), QUI MUNDUS EST IN DOMO TUA, VESCETUR EIS, — si videlicet aliquid ex hisce primitiis fuerit Deo immolatum et sacrificatum; nam alias, si soli sacerdoti illae offerrentur, poterant a quibusvis, etiam immundis, comedi.
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14. OMNE QUOD EX VOTO REDDIDERINT FILII ISRAEL, TUUM ERIT, — si scilicet voverint illud Deo, non ad immolationem, sed tantum ad oblationem. Est hoc quartum donum sacerdotum, scilicet vota, id est ex voto oblata.
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15. Quidquid primum erumpit e vulva, etc., TUI JURIS ERIT. — Est hoc quintum donum et stipendium sacerdotum, scilicet primogenita animalium. OMNE ANIMAL QUOD IMMUNDUM EST, REDIMI FACIAS. — Immundum intellige, non secundum speciem, uti est equus, mulus, camelus, sed per accidens, uti est ovis clauda, manca, caeca, etc., quae proinde Deo immolari non potest; nam Hebraei tantum animalium mundorum, puta ovis, bovis, caprae et hominis, non autem immundorum, nisi solius asini, primogenita Deo offerebant, uti ostendi Exod. xiii, 12 et 13. Hominis ergo solius primogenitus post mensem offerri debebat Deo, et redimi pretio statuto, scilicet quinque siclis argenti, id est quinque florenis Brabanticis. Hinc patet infantem primogenitum potuisse offerri Deo et redimi ante purificationem matris (haec enim fiebat quadragesima die a partu), imo debuisse offerri et redimi, si mater in partu, vel paulo post moriebatur. Communiter tamen exspectabant matres suam purificationem, ut cum ea simul suos infantes primogenitos offerrent et redimerent, uti fecit B. Virgo cum puero Jesu, Luc. II, 22.
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17. PRIMOGENITUM AUTEM BOVIS ET OVIS ET CAPRAE NON FACIES REDIMI, QUIA SANCTIFICATA SUNT, — quia scilicet Deo consecrata sunt, ut ei immolentur juxta legem; ideo redimi non possunt, uti redimuntur alia quae Deo non sunt immolanda. Primogenita ergo bovis, ovis et caprae Deo immolari debebant, ita scilicet ut sanguis eorum funderetur super altare, atque adeps eorum Deo in altari cremaretur, carnes vero eorum cederent in usum et esum sacerdotum.
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18. SICUT PECTUSCULUM CONSECRATUM, — q. d. Sicut pectusculum et armus dexter ex hostia pacifica, ita tuus est, ut quivis mundus ex tua familia ex iis comedere possit; ita erunt et tuae, et ad te pertinebunt hae carnes primogenitorum mihi immolatorum, ut a quovis mundo tuae familiae comedi possint: patet ex sequenti.
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19. PACTUM SALIS EST SEMPITERNUM CORAM DOMINO, TIBI AC FILIIS TUIS, — q. d. Haec dona et oblationes tibi do et consigno, quasi ex promissione et pacto sempiterno. Nota primo: Haec donatio Dei vocatur pactum, quia erat conditionata, et cum onere donatarii; vicissim enim sacerdotes haec dona recipientes, obligabantur servire Deo et tabernaculo. Nota secundo: Pactum salis vocatur pactum sempiternum, quia sal est symbolum aeternitatis, uti dixi Levit. II, 13.
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20. DIXITQUE DOMINUS AD AARON: IN TERRA EORUM (Hebraeorum, fratrum vestrorum) NIHIL POSSIDEBITIS, NEC HABEBITIS PARTEM (haereditatis) INTER EOS, — scilicet agros, vineas, prata, etc.; possidebant tamen Levitae urbes 48, sed tantum ad habitandum; et suburbana eorum, ad alendum et pascendum sua pecora, ut patebit cap. XXXV, et Josue XIV. Inepte ergo Wiclef hinc probare nisus est quod non liceat jam clericis ullas habere possessiones; nam haec lex caeremonialis est, et jam abolita. Rursum Levitae, praeter urbes et suburbana, habebant decimam partem frugum terrae, cum ipsi vix essent sexagesima pars totius populi. EGO PARS, ET HAEREDITAS TUA IN MEDIO FILIORUM ISRAEL, — id est, ego sum pars tua, o Aaron, o pontifex, o sacerdos, et sors haereditatis tuae, quam habiturus es inter filios Israel, hoc est, ut explicatur Josue XIII, 14, sacrificia, victimae et oblationes, quae mihi offeruntur, sunt tua haereditas, nec aliam te habere volo, tum quia haec abunde tibi sufficit; tum ne culturae agrorum et vinearum impliceris, sed totum te mihi meisque ministeriis impendas. Nam, ut ait S. Ambrosius, libro De Fuga saeculi, cap. II: Cui Deus portio est, nihil debet curare nisi Deum, ne alterius impediatur necessitatis munere: quod enim ad alia officia confertur, hoc religionis cultu, atque huic nostro officio decerpitur, q. d. Ego Deus vobis, o sacerdotes, ero arva, vineta, oliveta, segetes, uvae, olivae. Ego absque vomere et aratro, absque fossione et pastinatione, absque labore et cura ulla vestra vobis proferam ac reddam, quae pinguissima gleba ulla, vitis fertilissima, olea fructuosissima, ingenti labore et cultura reddere posset. Ego ero vobis ager simul et fructus; ego vobis semper, et certo, et abunde procurabo ac largiar necessaria omnia; bono estote animo, in me spes omnes vestras figite, a me bona manant omnia; vobis ne quidquam desit, cura erit mea: imo efficiam ut multo plus vobis, quam fratribus vestris, scilicet caeteris tribubus, quae terram divident, supersit et redundet; uni ergo mihi vacate. Secunda hujus sanctionis causa fuit, ut magna veneratione et charitate caeterae tribus prosequerentur sacerdotes; et vicissim sacerdotes in eorum salutem acrius incumberent: hinc effecit ut, in spiritualibus et sacris, omnes penderent a sacerdotibus; hi vero in corporalibus vitae subsidiis, penderent ab aliis tribubus, q. d. Vultis, o Israelitae, me Deum vestrum venerari, sacerdotibus meis date quae ad victum et vestitum requiruntur, date ea quae mihi a vobis debentur; vultis vicissim, o sacerdotes, ab Israelitis pingues hostias, primitias et oblationes, sacris operamini gnaviter, populum meum sedulo leges meas docete, ipsum vobis vestra religione, doctrina, sedulitate et exemplo devincite, ipsorum liberalitatem ac munificentiam, impietate, inertia, otio, lascivia ne retundite: eorum mens vobis, vestrum iis corpus a me commendatum est. Tertia causa fuit, quod Deus vellet suos ministros populo dare speciem vitae coelestis, ut non nimis terrae terrenisque bonis more suo inhiaret, sed ea tantum haberet in usu, coelestia vero haberet in voto et desiderio. Nam, ut ait S. Augustinus, homil. 23 De Verbis Apostoli: Temporalia bona non cessant nos inflammare ventura, corrumpere venientia, torquere transcuntia; concupita inardescunt, adepta vilescunt, amissa vanescunt; et S. Bernardus: Nolite, ait, diligere ea quae amata inquinant, possessa onerant, amissa cruciant. Huc alludit David, Psalm. XV, 5, dicens: Dominus pars haereditatis meae, et calicis mei; tu es qui restitues haereditatem meam mihi, q. d. Deus mihi est omne bonum, et omnia; praeter Deum nihil requiro, ait S. Augustinus: hanc haereditatem, quae tu ipse es, Domine, nemo mihi auferet. Tu enim illam mihi confirmas hic per gratiam, in coelo vero reipsa confirmabis per gloriam. Hoc imitantur nostri Clerici, qui ideo dicuntur κλῆρος, sive clerus, id est sors et portio Domini, et vicissim quorum sors et haereditas est Dominus. Ita S. Paulinus Nolae Episcopus, Nola a Barbaris expugnata, captus precabatur: Domine, non excrucier propter aurum et argentum; ubi enim mea sint omnia, tu nosti, nimirum tu es sors mea, et portio mea in terra viventium. Ita S. Augustinus, lib. I De Civit. cap. X.
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21. FILIIS AUTEM LEVI DEDI OMNES DECIMAS ISRAELIS. — Hucusque sacerdotibus Deus pro eorum ministerio dedit victimas, primitias, aliasque oblationes votivas et spontaneas: hic vero Levitis dat decimas. Hinc patet decimas non fuisse datas Levitis et sacerdotibus, ut vult Ribera, lib. III De Templo, cap. II, sed solis Levitis: nam Levitae ex iis rursum dabant decimas sacerdotibus, uti hic dicitur, docetque Josephus et Nehemias, capite X, vers. 37 et 38; quod enim ibi dicit: Erit autem sacerdos filius Aaron cum Levitis, in decimis Levitarum; mox explicat subdens: Et Levitae offerent decimam partem decimae suae, in domo Dei nostri ad gazophylacium, in domo thesauri, ut scilicet in eo custodiatur, indeque distribuatur sacerdotibus. Narrat R. Eliezer quod Levi fuerit decimus filiorum Jacob, incipiendo a Benjamin, ideoque oblatus sit per S. Michaelem Deo, ut huic Levitae servirent in terra, sicut in coelo angeli: tumque dixisse S. Michaelem Deo, aequum esse ut suos famulos alat rex, sicque Deum decimas Levitis dedisse. An historice ita factum sit, novit Deus: alioqui pia et acuta est haec contemplatio.
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22. NEC COMMITTANT PECCATUM MORTIFERUM, — quod sit illis causa mortis, tam praesentis quam aeternae. 23. SOLIS FILIIS LEVI, MIHI IN TABERNACULO SERVIENTIBUS, ET PORTANTIBUS PECCATA POPULI. — Peccata, id est poenas peccatorum populi, si videlicet populus insinuet se ministerio tabernaculi, scilicet si id fiat per negligentiam Levitarum. Levitis enim commissa est custodia tabernaculi: unde si ipsi permittant populum ad illud, puta ad Sanctum accedere, ipsos puniam pro peccato hoc populi, quia tabernaculi curam a populo in eos transtuli, eisque commisi, et pro hac cura decimas populi eis assignavi: unde quod in hac re peccatum erit, non a populo, sed a Levitis exigam. Et hoc est quod dixit Deus ad Aaron, vers. 1: Tu et filii tui portabitis iniquitatem Sanctuarii, et sustinebitis peccata sacerdotii vestri, id est patiemini, et puniemini, si permiseritis aliquem e populo, qui non est ex genere vestro, puta ex genere sacerdotali, ministrare praeter vos, q. d. Nemo caeterorum de filiis Israel accedat ad tabernaculum, quia soli filii Levi in eo debent ministrare, et portare peccata populi; ideoque si quid populus in hoc genere peccet, Levitae peccatum hoc populi ferent et sustinebunt, quia illud non impediverunt, sed dissimulaverunt. LEGITIMUM, — lex et sanctio haec erit sempiterna.
18:26
26. PRAECIPE LEVITIS: CUM ACCEPERITIS A FILIIS ISRAEL DECIMAS, QUAS DEDI VOBIS, PRIMITIAS (id est decimas) EARUM OFFERTE DOMINO (unde sequitur), ID EST DECIMAM PARTEM DECIMAE. — Jubet hic Deus ut Levitae decimarum suarum decimas offerant Deo, id est Dei sacerdotibus, idque ad hoc, ut in hisce decimis Levitae pares essent aliis tribubus, quae ex labore suo offerebant decimas Domino, uti mox planius dicam.
18:27
27. UT REPUTETUR VOBIS IN OBLATIONEM PRIMITIVORUM, TAM DE AREIS, QUAM DE TORCULARIBUS, — q. d. Vos, o Levitae, ex decimis Israel quas assignavi versu 21, dabitis decimam earum partem pontifici et sacerdotibus, eamque primo illis separabitis, antequam vos inde quidquam vobis sumatis. Ideoque hae erunt verae decimae et primitiae vestrae tam frugum, quam uvarum et vini, quas offeretis mihi, dando eas sacerdotibus; easque ego ita accipiam a vobis, ac si vos essetis Israelitae laici, et penderetis mihi primitias et decimas agrorum et vinearum vestrarum. Putant aliqui, ut Lyranus et Abulensis, hanc decimam decimae, id est, centesimam omnium fructuum totius Israelis, a Levitis datam fuisse summo pontifici. Hoc enim videtur dici vers. 28: Date ea Aaron pontifici. Quod si ita est, fuit sane pontifex ditissimus, utpote quotannis recipiens centesimam partem frugum totius Judaeae. Atque hinc D. Thomas, II-II, Quaest. LXXXVII, art. 4, ad 3, et alii docent par esse ut Clerici omnes, etiam Episcopi, decimas bonorum suorum dent Romano Pontifici. Pontifex vero eas non exigit, sed loco earum, in majoribus beneficiis annatas, id est fructus primi anni, cum illud alicui confert, exposcit. Verum melius censent alii hanc decimam decimae a Levitis datam fuisse, non soli pontifici, sed omnibus sacerdotibus. Alioqui enim pontifex valde dives, et sacerdotes, utpote plurimi, valde pauperes fuissent. Ita docet Josephus, oculatus testis, lib. IV Antiquit. cap. IV, et S. Hieronymus in cap. XLV Ezech., et Philo, lib. De Honoribus sacerdotum, in fine, atque ex iis Ribera, lib. III De Templo, cap. II. Verisimile tamen est, ex hac decima decimae, bonam partem, pro dignitate tantae personae, cessisse pontifici.
18:28
28. QUORUM ACCIPITIS PRIMITIAS, — id est decimas: ita Chaldaea; hae enim cedebant Levitis: primitiae vero proprie dictae cedebant sacerdotibus, ut patet vers. 11 et sequentibus. DATE EA AARON SACERDOTI, — ut ille ea inter sacerdotes distribuat: est enim ipse sacerdotum caput et princeps.
18:29
29. OMNIA QUAE OFFERETIS EX DECIMIS, ET IN DONARIA DOMINI SEPARABITIS, OPTIMA ET ELECTA ERUNT. — Jubet Deus optima dari in decimas. Notent hoc Christiani ii, qui in decimis, primitiis aliisque oblationibus vilissima dant Deo, ac proinde et vilissima ab eo recipiunt, meritoque frugum sterilitate et paupertate puniuntur, sicut puniti sunt Judaei, uti testatur Malachias, cap. 1, vers. 14, et cap. II, vers. 2; atque in simili casu eosdem punitos esse docet Aggaeus, cap. 1, vers. 6 et sequent. E contrario Deus solventibus decimas tales, quales oportet, rependere solet fertilitatem. Audi S. Augustinum, homil. 48 inter 50: Majores, inquit, nostri ideo omnibus copiis abundabant, quia Deo decimas dabant, et Caesari censum reddebant: modo autem, quia discessit devotio Dei, accessit indictio fisci; noluimus cum Deo partiri decimas, modo autem totum tollitur: hoc tollit fiscus, quod non accipit Christus. Et serm. 219 De Tempore: Haec est Domini justissima consuetudo, ut si tu illi decimas non dederis, tu ad decimam revoceris. Vide eum toto illo sermone.
18:31
31. QUIA PRETIUM EST PRO MINISTERIO QUO SERVITIS IN TABERNACULO. — Pretium est, hebraice, merces est, scilicet laboris quo quasi famuli et bajuli, vos, o Levitae, laboratis in portando, disponendo et dirigendo tabernaculo, etc. Hoc enim ministerium in se corporale erat, merebaturque pretium et mercedem corporalem; esto referretur ad finem spiritualem, scilicet ad cultum Dei: quae relatio spiritualis erat, nec vendi poterat sine simonia. Secundo, pretium, id est stipendium sustentationis; hoc enim etiam in lege nova, ex justitia debitum est parochis aliisque Ecclesiae ministris.
18:32
32. NE POLLUATIS OBLATIONES FILIORUM ISRAEL (quod faceretis, si, cum illi optimas decimas vobis dant, vos inde decimam partem pessimam seligatis, ut eam detis sacerdotibus), ET MORIAMINI, — q. d. Si id feceritis, occidemini a me. Unde patet quam severe exegerit Deus, non tantum decimas, sed etiam ex iis meliora sibi offerri.
Decimae apud Gentiles Circa hoc caput de decimis nota primo, Gentiles quoque suis diis perennes dedisse decimas. Id docet Cicero, libro III De Natura Deorum: Herculi, inquit, quisquam decimam vovit unquam, si sapiens factus esset? et Plautus: Ut decimas Herculi solveret; et Herodotus in Clio: Siste, inquit, ad singulas portas aliquot ex tuis satellitibus custodes, qui vetent exportari opes, ut eorum decimae Jovi necessario reddantur. Haec Craesus ad Cyrum regem Persarum; et Xenophon: Agis, inquit, Delphos profectus est, ac decimam Deo obtulit.
Philo de honore sacerdotum Notat secundo Philo, lib. De Sacerdotum honore, sacerdotibus perinde ac regibus, Dei judicio, tributa esse pendenda: unde judicio legis, sacerdotes aequiparari honore ac majestate regibus, imo praeferri; nam regibus coacte et invite tributa dant subditi: At haec gens (Judaica), inquit, debitam pecuniam lubens gaudensque depromit, quasi non daret, sed acciperet, addens faustas ominationes et gratiarum actiones.
S. Hieronymus de decimis legis novae Notat tertio S. Hieronymus in Malach. III, primitias et decimas datas Levitis et sacerdotibus legis veteris, adambrasse et praelusisse, quod eaedem dandae essent sacerdotibus legis novae; nam, ut ait Origenes hic, hom. 11: Impium est ut qui Deum colit, et scit ejus ministros assistere altari, et verbo Dei, aut ministerio Ecclesiae deservire, de fructibus terrae quos dat Deus, solem suum producendo, et pluvias suas ministrando, primitias sacerdotibus non offerat; non enim videtur talis anima Dei habere memoriam, nec cogitare, nec credere, quia Deus dedit fructus quos cepit. Hinc jam olim Romanum Concilium sub Damaso sanxit, ut decimae ac primitiae a fidelibus darentur, et qui detrectarent, anathemate ferirentur. Quin et S. Chrysostomus, homil. 43 in 1 ad Cor., jubet ut sutores aliique artifices, cum calceos aliaque suae artis vendunt, aut emunt, decimam saltem pretii partem Deo dependant. Vis exempla?
Exempla de decimis Meliapore in India a Lusitanis inventum est templum, et sepulcrum S. Thomae Apostoli, cui priscis litteris inscriptum erat, templum hoc a sancto Dei Apostolo Thoma quondam exstructum esse; in templo tuendo colendoque mercium, quae in urbem importarentur decimam, ab Sagamo rege attributum: accesserat obtestatio ad posteros, ne quid ex eo vectigali donatione imminutum vellent. Ita refert noster Maffeius, libro VIII Histor. Indic. Cum Carolus Martellus decimas Ecclesiae in militum stipendia contra Saracenos convertere vellet, restitit ei S. Eucherius Aurelianensis Episcopus, ideoque ab eo in exilium relegatus est, ut habet Joannes Molanus Doctor Lovaniensis in Annal. Sanctorum Belgii, 20 februarii. Cum S. Stephanus Hungariae rex Hungaros debellasset et convertisset ad fidem, mox ab eo manubiae S. Martino, qui fuit Hungarus, cujus invocatione victoriam obtinuerat, et decimae Ecclesiae addictae sunt, ut patet ex ejus Vita, quae exstat apud Surium, 20 augusti, cap. iv et v. Audi quid de decimis referat Joannes Archiepiscopus Upsalensis in Historia Gothorum, lib. XVIII, cap. XIII, Saxo Grammaticus, lib. XI Histor. Danor., Martyrol. Usuardi 6 Idus julii, Joannes Molanus, orat. 2 et 3 De Decimis, Jacobus Meyerus, lib. III Histor. Flandror., anno Christi 1088. Canutus rex, cum summo ac pio studio contenderet, ut Christi ministris liberalius et commodius de decimis et primitiis provideretur, insigni cujusdam Blacconis perfidia traditus, ab insana plebe trucidatur. Quo facto, tanta frumentorum penuria universam Daniam invasit, ut maxima populi pars alimentorum inops, inedia consumeretur. Enimvero abunde seges finitimis erat, ut privata gentis, non publica terrarum ultio videretur. Nec prius Danicis agris fecunditas restituta est, quam populus ad cor conversus, paenitentiam ageret, se tam sanctum regem occidisse, qui tam justa et honesta pro Christi ministris postulasset. Jamque experimento didicerant se juste novem frumentorum partes amisisse, qui decimam ex eis Deo et Dei ministris reddere noluissent. De Polonis refert Longinus Cracoviensis Canonicus, et ex eo Baronius, tom. XI, anno Christi 1022, quod, cum nonnulli eorum nobiles ob onerosam decimarum solutionem a Christianismo resilire, et ad gentilismum redire, ideoque decimas non solvere, nec ecclesias frequentare, sed sacerdotes de ecclesiis pellere cogitarent; Boleslaus pius rex auctores sceleris comprehenderit, eosque partim morte, partim verberibus multctarit. De Italis refert ex Crantzio, Usuardo et aliis Joannes Molanus, 26 novembris, S. Bellinum Episcopum Paduanum, cum divitem quemdam nomine Thomam Capivacium cogeret ad solvendas decimas, ab eo in itinere interfectum, atque, cum post mortem miraculis multis claresceret, ab Eugenio IV catalogo Martyrum ascriptum esse; homicidam autem a Deo punitum, ad summam egestatem redactum, et ab omnibus derelictum, in carcere misere vitam finiisse: posteros vero ejus templum in honorem S. Bellini Deo dicatum nunquam ingredi potuisse, quin et paulo post omnino defecisse. De Scotis scribit Hector Boetius, libro XIII, et Joannes Magnus, lib. IV De Gestis Scotorum, cap. X, Catanenses Episcopum suum Adamum, decimas de more exigentem, et ad eas anathemate cogentem, in culina ejus combussisse; id audiens rex Scotiae Alexander, collectis copiis, auctores sceleris comprehendit, et supra quadringentos extremo supplicio affecit; Comitem vero Catanensium, quod Adamo opem ejus invocanti non succurrisset, Comitatu privavit. Sed Deus gravius eum punivit; nam famuli ejus, quod eos asperius aequo tractasset, post paucos annos noctu trucidatum, ac in grabatum impositum (quo facinus occultum maneret) accensis aedibus cremarunt. Periit ergo ille eodem supplicii genere, quo sui Adamum Episcopum affecerant. De Saxonibus audi Lambertum Scafnaburgensem anno Christi 1059. Halberstadiensis Episcopus Burcardus, decimationes Saxoniae, quae ad monasterium Hersveldense pertinebant, sibi vindicabat ratione Episcopalis regiminis. Abbas ejus coenobii Meginherus jubet Episcopo per Fredericum Palatinum indicari, cum ad furta restituenda nullo jure adduci posset, brevi instare tempus, quo coram Deo esset haec causa dijudicanda. Moritur paulo post Abbas. Et cum Episcopus ejus rei gratia Synodum indixisset, in itinere lapsus de equo domum relatus est: ubi tum suos domesticos, tum Episcopos se visitantes rogavit, ut decimas istas absque mora coenobio restituerent, se enim injustitiae poenas jam luere. De Noricis fame punitis, ob non solutas decimas, dicam Deuter. xiv, in fine.
18:2
… Regola le compere e le vendite durante l'anno settimo, l'uso del prodotto campestre spontaneo, la remissione dei debiti ed il prozbūl). Gēmārā' palestinese. f) Tērāmōth («offerte »): tratta (cf. Num. 18, 2 sgg.) delle offerte dovute al sacerdote, di chi non è atto a compiere tale dovere, di quali prodotti ne sono esenti. …
18:5
MESA (EBR. MĚŠA', II REG. 3; STELE: MEŠA')
… «E si scatenò una grande collera (da parte di Jahweh; cf. Num. 1, 53; 18,5; ecc.) contro gl'Israeliti, che si allontanarono da lui (M.) e fecero ritorno alla loro terra» (II Reg. 3, 4-27). Comunque si spieghi questa frase misteriosa, essa attesta il fallimento …
18:6
… si avvicinano a me » (qērōbhaj: Lev. 10, 3; qērōbhim: Ex. 42, 13); Dio li ha scelti per farli avvicinare a sé (Num. 16, 5; Ex. 44, 13) e ad essi consegna i leviti « donati a Jahweh, perché facciano il lavoro del tabernacolo di riunione » (Num. 18, 6). Era quindi gravissimo delitto arrogarsi le funzioni sacerdotali: « l'estraneo (hae-sār) che si avvicini (haq-qārēb) morrà » (Num. 3, 10); terribile infatti fu il castigo del …
18:13
Tutte le p. spettarono sempre ai sacerdoti (Num. 18, 13, 19; Deut. 18, 4; Neh. 10, 36[37]; Ez. 44, 30). Nessuna offerta è così attestata e raccomandata come questa delle p. (I Sam. 2, 29; II Par. 31, 5: Ezechia la rimette in onore; Neh. …
18:14
HEREM (SETTANTA ἈΝΆΘΡΗΣ) (Μ.Α.)
… La trasgressione del h. costituiva un peccato gravissimo. 2) Un voto con il quale si consacravano a Dio uomini, campi, animali, ecc., rinunziando al diritto di riscatto (Lev. 27, 28). Poiché diventavano « cose santissime », i campi e le cose appartenevano ai sacerdoti (Num. 18, 14; Lev. 27, 21; ecc.). …
18:15
… La soggezione alla Legge fu mostrata nell'adempire, quaranta giorni dopo la nascita, l'ordine di riscattare i primogeniti (Num. 18, 15-16) dopo averli consacrati al Signore (Ex. 13, 2). G. assume il carattere di vittima offerta al Padre (cf. il senso sacrificale della parola παραστῆσαι di Lc. 2, 22 in Rom. 12, 1; M.-J. …
… animali malati o destinati al culto pagano, il precetto di Lev. 22, 28 e di Ex. 23, 19; 34, 26; Deut. 14, 21 e Deut. 22, 6. d) Bēkhōrōth «primo-geniti», in 9 capp.: riguarda i precetti di Ex. 13, 2.12 sg.; 34, 19 sg.; Lev. 27, 26 sg.; Num. 8, 16 sg.; 18, 15 sg. e Deut. 15, 19 sg. e) 'Arākhīn «stime»: concernenti i voti (Lev. 25, 25 sg.; 17, 2-20) e le persone che compiono i voti. f) Tēmūrāth «cambio», 7 capp.: sostituzione nell'offerta di …
… In Num. 18, 15-19 Jahweh trasmette tutti i suoi diritti sui p. ai sacerdoti, cui spettano integralmente; adattamento, sembra,
PURIFICAZIONE (CANDELORA), FESTA DELLA
narrazione biblica (Lc. 2, 22 sgg.), che Maria S.ma portò Gesù 40 giorni dopo la sua nascita al Tempio di Gerusalemme, per riscattarlo secondo la Legge (Lev. 12, 2 sgg., e Num. 18, 15 sgg.), incontrandosi in questa occasione con il vecchio Simeone il quale predisse la gloria del Figlio e i dolori della Madre. …
18:19
… benedetta speciale detta « acqua gregoriana »; c) nella benedizione detta « maggiore », « ad omnia valde necessaria et maxime pro peste animalium » o « ad pecora » o « pro mortalitate », in uso dal sec. x. Mangiare il s. è simbolo di unione e di fedeltà (Num. 18, 19 e II Par. 13, 5) sia presso gli Ebrei che presso i popoli orientali ancora oggi.
18:20
Il volume ed il modo di prelevare tale tributo non erano sempre uguali (Lev. 27, 30-33; Num. 18, 20-32; Deut. 12, 6, 11; 14, 22-29; 17-19; 26, 12-15; cf. Am. 4, 4). I Numeri e il Deuteronomio considerano grano, mosto ed olio soggetti alla d. L'insegnamento farisico estende l'obbligo …
LEVITI (EBR. LĒWĪ, PLUR. LĒWĪJĪM; GR. LĒWĪJĪ, PLUR. - AI)
… I L. poi dovevano a loro volta una decima ai sacerdoti (Num. 18, 20-32; Neh. 10, 38-39). Di alcune incertezze nella primitiva organizzazione levitica e sacerdotale è eco nell'episodio di Iud. 17, 7-12.
18:21
LEVITI (EBR. LĒWĪ, PLUR. LĒWĪJĪM; GR. LĒWĪJĪ, PLUR. - AI)
di guerra (Num. 31, 30) e con le decime (ibid. 18, 21-24; cf. Lev. 27, 30). In Deut. 12, 19; 14, 27, ecc. si fa esortazione al popolo di non lasciar mancare loro il necessario. …
… In 11 capp. Gēmārā' soltanto palestinese. g) Ma'airōth: «decime» dovute (Num. 18, 21 sgg.) ai leviti. …
18:27
ABELE (EBR. HÉBEL; GRECO DEI SETTANTA ἈΒΕΛ)
… Allo scadere di un certo tempo, forse a fine d'anno, entrambi offrirono le primizie a Dio; ma il Signore rifiutò l'offerta di Caino ed espresse gradimento per il sacrificio (olocausto o, piuttosto, offerta delle parti grasse dei capi scelti: Gen. 4, 4; cf. Num. 18, 27; Lev. 3, 3) di A., facendo forse cadere, secondo l'interpretazione di Teodozione, il fuoco dal cielo (ἐνετύριεν). …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · Douay-Rheims originale (Douai 1609-10), trascrizione EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Pubblico dominio.