Numbers 1:50

The Exemption of the Levites · Numbers 1:47–54
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Translations

Modern
Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.
Traditional
But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
Literal
And you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all things that belong to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall attend to it, and around the tabernacle they shall camp.
Latin
…sed constitue eos super tabernaculum testimonii et cuncta vasa ejus, et quidquid ad cæremonias pertinet. Ipsi portabunt tabernaculum et omnia utensilia ejus: et erunt in ministerio, ac per gyrum tabernaculi metabuntur.

Original

Hebrew
English
Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.

Notes

tabernacle of the Testimony: This was a portable sanctuary. It symbolized the Lord’s presence and showed Israel’s covenant relationship with him.

The Levites had the job of setting up, taking down, moving, and guarding the tabernacle. They kept unauthorized people from coming too close or making it unclean. This protected the Israelites from the Lord's judgment.

The tribe of Levi did not serve in Israel's army like the other tribes. This part of Numbers explains how the Levites organized to serve in the tabernacle of the Testimony, which was their main duty.

People

Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites

Glossary

Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Glory Numbers, Book of Tribe of Levi

Topics

Armies: Who Were Exempt from Service In Israel: Number of, at Sinai, by Tribes Levites: Exempt from Enrollment for Military Duty Levites: Functions of had Charge of the Tabernacle in the Encampments and on the March Levites: Place of, in Encampments and the March Levites: Set Apart As Ministers of Religion Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Testimony or Witness Tabernacle: The Levites: Appointed Over, and had Charge of Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called of Testimony The Levites: Encamped Round the Tabernacle The Levites: Services of Taking Down, Putting Up, and Carrying the Tabernacle