מַעֲשֵׂר
a tenth; especially a tithe
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַעֲשֵׂר (maʻăsêr) fundamentally means 'a tenth part' or 'tithe.' It specifically refers to the religious practice of giving one-tenth of one's produce, livestock, or income as an offering to God, primarily for the support of the Levitical priesthood (Numbers 18:21-24). In some contexts, it can denote a simple mathematical tenth, as seen in the description of the spoils of war (Genesis 14:20). The laws in Leviticus 27:30-32 and Deuteronomy 14:22-29 detail the tithing of grain, fruit, and herds, establishing it as a sacred obligation.
Biblical Usage
The word is used almost exclusively in legal and narrative texts concerning Israel's worship and economic system. It appears frequently in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) where the tithing laws are established. Key passages include the foundational mention by Abraham giving a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20) and the detailed priestly legislation in Leviticus 27:30-32 and Numbers 18:21-28, which command tithes for the Levites. The later prophets, like Malachi 3:8-10, challenge the people for robbing God by withholding tithes.
Etymology
The word derives from the root עָשַׂר (ʻāśar, H6237), meaning 'to take a tenth' or 'to give a tenth.' It is directly related to the cardinal number עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235), meaning 'ten.' Thus, מַעֲשֵׂר is a noun formed from this root, concretely meaning 'a tenth part.' This etymological link underscores the word's inherent connection to the concept of a proportional tenth.
Semantic Range
The tithe is a central concept in biblical theology, representing God's ownership, human stewardship, and the principle of providing for religious ministry. It signifies acknowledgment that all blessings come from God (Deuteronomy 14:22-23) and is tied to covenant faithfulness, as emphasized in Malachi 3:10. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the tithe not merely as a tax but as a sacred act of worship and communal support for the Levites, who had no tribal inheritance.
In ancient Israelite society, the tithe functioned as a divine taxation system to support the tribe of Levi, which was dedicated to religious service and received no agricultural land (Numbers 18:21-24). A second tithe was also set aside for festival celebrations (Deuteronomy 14:22-27), and a third tithe every three years for the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29), embedding social welfare into the religious structure. This differs from modern voluntary giving, as it was a mandatory covenant obligation for all Israelites.
תְּרוּמָה (terûmâh, H8641) — a 'contribution' or 'heave offering'; a general sacred offering, not necessarily a tenth. קָרְבָּן (qorbān, H7133) — a general term for 'offering' or 'sacrifice,' broader than the specific proportional tithe.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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