John Calvin Commentary Numbers 18:8

"And Jehovah spake unto Aaron, And I, behold, I have given thee the charge of my heave-offerings, even all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, as a portion for ever." — Numbers 18:8 (ASV)

And the Lord spoke to Aaron. He now proceeds to state more fully what he had recently been referring to, namely, the rights of the priests concerning the sacred oblations.

However, we must remember the contrast I mentioned between the priests of the higher order and the Levites. For while the family of Aaron is invested with unique honors, the other families of the tribe of Levi are humbled.

God, then, assigns to the priests alone all the offerings in which there was the greater consecration, called “the holy of holinesses.” ²⁰⁸

An exception will appear later: namely, that the whole offering was to be deposited with the priests as a mark of honor, from which they were to pay a portion to the Levites who were performing their duties in the service of the sanctuary.

He tells them that this privilege is given to them “by reason of the anointing,” so that the priests should not become proud or exalt themselves on this account; for God’s free generosity ought to teach us modesty and humility.

It is by this argument that Paul corrects and represses all vain boasting: “Why do you glory, as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Now, the sons of Aaron had obtained their anointing by no other right than that God had been pleased to choose them for it.

This is also indicated by their privilege being described as “a gift”; but God thus more expressly commends His grace, for He mentions His gift for another reason: that is, so that no one should enter into any dispute or controversy with the priests on this matter.

²⁰⁸ A. V. “The most holy things:” “the holy of holies:” Ainsworth, whose note is, ““The most holy things:” “the holy of holies:” Ainsworth, whose note is, “Heb. ‘of the holiness of holinesses,’ . ‘of the holiness of holinesses,’ i.e., of the most holy things; which the Greek translateth ‘of the hallowed (or sanctified) holy things.’ Some oblations in the sanctuary are called of the most holy things; which the Greek translateth ‘of the hallowed (or sanctified) holy things.’ Some oblations in the sanctuary are called holy, and, by the Hebrew doctors, and, by the Hebrew doctors, light holy things, some some holy of holies, i.e., most holy things,” etc.most holy things,” etc.