Tithes in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What are Tithes?
TITHES or TENTHS
a form of tax known long before the time of Moses, Gen 14:20; Gen 28:22. and practised under the civil and religious government of heathen nations. It was introduced into the Levitical code, and consisted in rendering a fixed proportion of the produce of the earth, herds, etc., to the service of God their King, whom they were taught to consider as the proprietor of all. One-tenth of this produce went to the use of the Levites, who had no part in the soil, and of course were dependent on their brethren for the means of subsistence. One-tenth of their tenth they paid in their turn to the priests. Num 18:21-32. The nine parts were tithed again, and of this second tithe a feast was made in the court of the sanctuary, or in some apartment connected with it. If, however, the Jew could not with convenience carry his tithe thither, he was permitted to sell it and to take the money, adding one-fifth of the amount - that is, if he sold the tithe for a dollar, he should bring, in money, a dollar and twenty cents - and to purchase therewith what was required at the feast after he came to the sanctuary. Lev 27:31; Deut 12:17-18; Deut 14:22-27. At this feast of thanksgiving they entertained their families and friends, and also the Levites, It has been supposed by some, from Deut 14:28-29, that in every third year a third tithe was required, but it is more probable that in the third year the second tithe above mentioned was consumed at home, instead of at the sanctuary, so that the poor neighbors and friends, and especially such as were aged and infirm, might partake of it. The cattle were tithed by letting them pass out of an enclosure, under a rod held by some person, who touched every tenth beast, which thereupon became the property of the Levites; so that, if exchanged, both were forfeited. Lev 27:32-33. It does not appear that the tithe of herbs was demanded. The Pharisees, however, tithed their mint, anise, cummin, and rue; nor was it for this that our Saviour condemned them, but for neglecting weightier things, as mercy, judgment, and faith, while they were so scrupulously exact in matters of inferior moment. Matt 23:23.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'tithes' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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