Malachi 3:8-12 – Tithing

BIBLE TEXT

Malachi 3:8-12

SUMMARY

Malachi admonishes the people to return the tithe to the Lord (one-tenth of the yield of their land and flocks). Failure to do so is to rob God, but giving the tithe will “pour down for you an overflowing blessing.”

ANALYSIS

The tithe was among the laws given in the Torah (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21-27; Deuteronomy 12:6, 14:22-29; see also Nehemiah 13:12). The tithes were given for the maintenance of the priests (descendants of Aaron) and Levites (non-Aaronic descendants of Levi, whose tasks were the maintenance of the Temple), since they were not allotted land as a source of income (Numbers 18:21-24). Tithes were also used to fund community meals shared with the poor, the foreigners, and the Levites (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:12-15). 

The tithe discussion is a continuation of the previous discussions in Malachi about who is responsible for justice in the community. The answer, according to the prophet, is both the people and God. The people must not steal from God [and their landless neighbors] by withholding the tithe. God must not withhold rain or protection for crops.