tithe

Everyday

1. (church) A tithe is one tenth of what a person earns or grows, given to the church or to God. tree →
2. (history) Long ago, farmers had to give a tithe of their crops to the local church. tree →
3. To tithe is to give a tithe. tree →
4. A tithe can also mean one tenth of any amount, not only of money or crops given to the church. tree →

In the lessons

In religious education, some Christians today still give a tenth of their income to their church; the idea comes from the Old Testament. In history lessons, tithe barns stored the grain farmers gave to the church. In maths, a tithe is ten per cent. Phrases: «pay a tithe», «tithe barn», «give a tithe».

Examples

• A tithe is one tenth of what you have. tree →
• Long ago, farmers gave a tithe of their crops to the church. tree →
• The village still has an old tithe barn. tree →
• Some Christians tithe their wages. tree →
• If Lucy has thirty pounds and gives a tithe, she gives three pounds. tree →
• The Bible tells of Abraham giving a tithe to the priest Melchizedek. tree →
• Tithes were stored in big barns. tree →
• What Campbell has published represents only a tithe of what he collected. tree →

Note

Countable noun; regular verb, past «tithed». Rhymes with «scythe». Maths: a tithe = 1/10 = 10 per cent; divide by 10.

In Jewish tradition

A tenth part of produce or animals set apart as holy to God, to support the Levites and the poor.

Interpretation. Tradition has several tithes: for the Levites, for eating in Jerusalem, and for the poor; an animal tithe was counted by passing under the rod.

Examples

• And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it the fifth part thereof. (Torah LEV.27.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which is brought forth in the field year by year. (Torah DEU.14.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• And all the tithe of the herd or the flock, whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. (Torah LEV.27.32, JPS 1917) tree →
• But ye say: 'Wherein have we robbed Thee?' In tithes and heave-offerings. (Prophets MAL.3.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the wine and the oil unto the treasuries. (Writings NEH.13.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Come to Beth-el, and transgress, to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices in the morning, and your tithes after three days; (Prophets AMO.4.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun; regular verb, past «tithed». Rhymes with «scythe». Maths: a tithe = 1/10 = 10 per cent; divide by 10.

Early Modern English

Meaning

One tenth of what is produced or earned, given as a due, especially to the church or to God. tree →

Then and now

Today it is mainly used in a church sense. In these texts it was a tenth of produce owed as a duty, and the second sentence uses it for "a small part."

Examples

• And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it the fifth part thereof. (Torah LEV.27.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• What Campbell has published represents only a tithe of what he collected. (Celtic Fairy Tales) tree →
• Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which is brought forth in the field year by year. (Torah DEU.14.22, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: a tenth part.