Numbers 18:7

Translations

Modern

But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

Traditional

Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Literal

Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and behind the veil, and you shall serve. I give to you your priesthood as a service for a gift, and the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”

Latin

Tu autem et filii tui custodite sacerdotium vestrum: et omnia quæ ad cultum altaris pertinent, et intra velum sunt, per sacerdotes administrabuntur: si quis externus accesserit, occidetur.

Original

Hebrew

English

But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

Notes

Numbers 18:7

any outsider … must be put to death: This verse warned all Israelites to avoid areas where God did not allow them to be. God prohibited access to certain holy places for those not qualified in a religious sense. Only the holiest members of the community could access these holy areas. Ignoring this rule meant risking one's life because it violated God's holiness (see also 1:51, 53; 3:10, 29–38; 4:1–20).

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

Romans 15:15–16
However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me
John 3:27
John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.
Numbers 3:10
So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”
Numbers 16:5–7
Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses He will bring near to Himself.
Numbers 18:4–5
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.
Numbers 18:20
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.
Numbers 16:40
…just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.
Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
Numbers 3:38
Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.
Hebrews 5:4
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
Ephesians 3:8
Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

Glossary

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

Topics

Christian Minister: Charge Delivered To Priest: Duties of Responsible for the Sanctuary Priest: had Charge of the Sanctuary and Altar Priest: The Time of Moses Priest: The Time of Moses: Usurpations of office of Priests: All Except Seed of Aaron Excluded from Being Priests: Punishment for Invading the office of Priests: Services of Keeping the Charge of the Tabernacle The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Priests: Alone to Serve

Numbers 18:7

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