Numbers 18:6

Translations

Modern

Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting.

Traditional

And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Literal

And I, behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from the midst of the sons of Israel; to you they are a gift given by YHWH to do the work of the Tent of Meeting.

Latin

Ego dedi vobis fratres vestros Levitas de medio filiorum Israël, et tradidi donum Domino, ut serviant in ministeriis tabernaculi ejus.

Original

Hebrew

English

Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting.

Notes

Numbers 18:6–7

Levites … as a gift to you: Numbers 3–4 explains this phrase. See also 3:9; 8:16, 19.

Numbers 18:5–7

Only the priests, who were Aaron and his descendants, could perform holy duties inside the sanctuary or approach the altar. This altar was a holy area that deserved special honor. Only the high priest could serve in the Most Holy Place. The Levites could only serve in the courtyard, away from the altar. The exception was when it was time to assemble or disassemble the Tent of Meeting (chapter 4).

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).

Related verses

Numbers 3:9
Assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they have been given exclusively to him from among the Israelites.
Numbers 3:12
“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me,
Numbers 3:45
“Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites belong to Me; I am the LORD.
Genesis 6:17
And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish.
Numbers 8:16–19
For the Levites have been wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself in place of all who come first from the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel.
Isaiah 48:15
I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I have brought him, and he will succeed in his mission.
Exodus 14:17
And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. Then I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army and chariots and horsemen.
Ezekiel 34:11
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out.
Ezekiel 34:20
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.
Genesis 9:9
“Behold, I now establish My covenant with you and your descendants after you,
Exodus 31:6
Moreover, I have selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, as his assistant. I have also given skill to all the craftsmen, that they may fashion all that I have commanded you:
Isaiah 51:12
“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites

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 Levites: Subordinate to the Sons of Aaron Levites: Substituted in the Place of the Firstborn Children The Jews: had an Ecclesiastical Establishment

Numbers 18:6

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?