Keraia
Numbers 18

Numbers 18:4

Duties of Priests and Levites · Numbers 18:1–7
Read Numbers 18

Translations

Modern
They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.
Traditional
And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.
Literal
And they shall be joined with you and attend to the needs of the Tent of Meeting for all the work of the tabernacle; and an outsider may not come near to you.
Latin
Sint autem tecum, et excubent in custodiis tabernaculi, et in omnibus cæremoniis ejus. Alienigena non miscebitur vobis.

Original

Hebrew
English
They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.

Notes

Numbers 18:3–4

  • all the duties: See 1:47–53; 3:5–38; 4:1–33.

  • they must not come near: The Levites could approach only after they had covered the holy objects for transport.

Numbers 18:1–4

The Lord gave special authority to Aaron, his sons (the priests), and his relatives (the Levites). They were responsible to God for offenses against the holy place. Yet, only the priests were responsible to God for their own violations of God's instructions for their service.

Numbers 18:1–32

The instructions here came from the need shown in chapter 17 for clear boundaries between the people, priests, and Levites. The Levites had special privileges and important responsibilities. One key part of their job was to protect the Tent of Meeting from unauthorized entry (chapter 16).

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of

Topics

Christian Minister: Charge Delivered To Levites: Functions of had Charge of the Tabernacle in the Encampments and on the March Tabernacle: The Levites: Appointed Over, and had Charge of