Tithe is one of the offerings and donations given to God, referring to giving one-tenth of one's income.
The Law presents this tithe.
Lev 27:30A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.Lev 27:31If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it.Lev 27:32Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord.
Deut 14:22Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.
This word is also emphasized in Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament.
Mal 3:8“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings.Mal 3:9You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.
The Israelites gave tithes to the Levites.
Num 18:21I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.Num 18:22From now on the Israelites must not go near the Tent of Meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and die.Num 18:23It is the Levites who are to do the serving at the Tent of Meeting and who are to bear the responsibility for offenses against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites.Num 18:24Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’ ”
Then the Levites, in turn, offered one-tenth of what they received to God.
Num 18:26“Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as a heave offering to the Lord.
This tithe was first offered by Abraham to Melchizedek in Genesis, before the Law was given through Moses.
Gen 14:18Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,