Numbers 18:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee [shall minister] before the tabernacle of witness.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But you are to bring your kinsmen, the tribe of Levi, along with yourselves, to work together with you and help you - you and your sons with you - when you are there before the tent of meeting.

Berean Standard Bible:

But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony.

American Standard Version:

And thy brethren also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou near with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall be before the tent of the testimony.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thy brethren^{H251} also of the tribe^{H4294} of Levi^{H3878}, the tribe^{H7626} of thy father^{H1}, bring^{H7126} thou with thee, that they may be joined^{H3867} unto thee, and minister^{H8334} unto thee: but thou and thy sons^{H1121} with thee shall minister before^{H6440} the tabernacle^{H168} of witness^{H5715}.

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Commentary for Numbers 18:2

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Roles and Responsibilities:** The verse emphasizes the special role of the Levites, particularly the family of Aaron (the high priest), in serving at the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place of God among the Israelites.
- **Hierarchy and Cooperation within the Priesthood:** It outlines a hierarchy within the Levitical priesthood, with Aaron and his sons at the top, having direct duties before the Tabernacle, while other Levites support them.
- **Purity and Service:** The verse underscores the importance of ritual purity and dedicated service to God, as the Levites are set apart to perform sacred duties.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings:** This verse is set in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The Tabernacle had just been constructed according to God's instructions as a central place of worship.
- **Establishment of the Priesthood:** God is organizing the tribe of Levi to serve as priests and caretakers of the sanctuary. This is part of the broader narrative where God establishes the religious and social structures of the Israelite community.
- **Distinction from Other Tribes:** The Levites were chosen from among the twelve tribes of Israel to serve God in place of the firstborn males of Israel, who were originally designated for this role. This change occurred after the incident with the Golden Calf, where the Levites demonstrated their loyalty to God.

In summary, Numbers 18:2 is a directive to Moses concerning the Levites' roles in the religious life of Israel. It reflects the themes of divine service, priestly hierarchy, and the unique status of the Levites, while also being rooted in the historical context of the Israelites' formation as a nation under God's guidance during their wilderness journey.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4294
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַטֶּה
   Transliteration: maṭṭeh
   Pronunciation: mat-teh'
   Description: or (feminine) מַטָּה; from נָטָה; a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread); rod, staff, tribe.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3878
   There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵוִי
   Transliteration: Lêvîy
   Pronunciation: lay-vee'
   Description: from לָוָה; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob; Levi. See also לֵוִי, לֵוִיִּי.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7626
   There are 178 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁבֶט
   Transliteration: shêbeṭ
   Pronunciation: shay'-bet
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan; [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1
   There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָב
   Transliteration: ʼâb
   Pronunciation: awb
   Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7126
   There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרַב
   Transliteration: qârab
   Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
   Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3867
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָוָה
   Transliteration: lâvâh
   Pronunciation: law-vaw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (caus.) to lend; abide with, borrow(-er), cleave, join (self), lend(-er).
   
8. Strong's Number: H8334
   There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁרַת
   Transliteration: shârath
   Pronunciation: shaw-rath'
   Description: a primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to; minister (unto), (do) serve(-ant, -ice, -itor), wait on.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6440
    There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּנִים
    Transliteration: pânîym
    Pronunciation: paw-neem'
    Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
    
11. Strong's Number: H168
    There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֹהֶל
    Transliteration: ʼôhel
    Pronunciation: o'-hel
    Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.
    
12. Strong's Number: H5715
    There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵדוּת
    Transliteration: ʻêdûwth
    Pronunciation: ay-dooth'
    Description: feminine of עֵד; testimony; testimony, witness.