Exodus 29:28
“and it shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel; for it is a wave offering: and it shall be a wave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, even their wave offering to Yahweh.”
What does Exodus 29:28 mean?
This verse describes a practical arrangement for supporting the priests: when people brought peace offerings to God, a portion would be set aside and ceremonially presented (the "wave offering") as payment for Aaron and his descendants. It's God's way of ensuring the priests who served the community would be cared for by the community itself, rather than having to farm or work other jobs. The repetition about "wave offering" emphasizes that this wasn't just a casual handout, but a sacred, formal part of worship. If you've ever wondered how ancient priests ate and supported their families while serving full-time in the temple, this verse gives you part of the answer: their livelihood was woven directly into the people's acts of worship.