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(Matthew 22:5). Every Hebrew had a certain portion of land assigned to him as a possession (Numbers 26:33-56). In Egypt the lands all belonged to the king, and the husbandmen were obliged to give him a fifth part of the produce; so in Palestine Jehovah was the sole possessor of the soil, and the people held it by direct tenure from him. By the enactment of Moses, the Hebrews paid a tithe of the produce to Jehovah, which was assigned to the priesthood. Military service when required was also to be rendered by every Hebrew at his own expense. The occuptaion of a husbandman was held in high honour (1 Samuel 11:5-7; 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Chronicles 26:10). (see LAND LAWS; TITHE.)
