King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They will work together with you in your duties related to the tent of meeting, whatever the service in the tent may be; but an unauthorized person is not to come near you.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tent of meeting, for all the service of the Tent: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And they shall be joined{H3867} unto thee, and keep{H8104} the charge{H4931} of the tabernacle{H168} of the congregation{H4150}, for all the service{H5656} of the tabernacle{H168}: and a stranger{H2114} shall not come nigh{H7126} unto you.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 6:19
- ¶ And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten [many] of the people with a great slaughter.
Numbers 3:10
- And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
2 Samuel 6:6
- ¶ And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth [his hand] to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook [it].
2 Samuel 6:7
- And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for [his] error; and there he died by the ark of God.
Numbers 1:51
- And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 18:4
1. **Themes:**
- **Priestly Duties and Responsibilities:** The verse emphasizes the roles of the Levites in assisting the Aaronic priests with the duties related to the Tabernacle, which was the central place of worship for the Israelites during their time in the wilderness.
- **Divine Order and Organization:** It reflects the structured hierarchy established by God for the operation of the Tabernacle, with specific roles assigned to different groups within the tribe of Levi.
- **Exclusivity and Holiness:** The instruction that "a stranger shall not come nigh unto you" underscores the sacredness of the priestly duties and the need for the priests and Levites to be set apart for their holy tasks, maintaining the purity of worship practices.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The book of Numbers covers a period of about 39 years, from the second year after the Exodus from Egypt to the 40th year, just before the Israelites were to enter the Promised Land.
- **Wilderness Wanderings:** This verse is set during the time when the Israelites were wandering in the Sinai Peninsula, having received the Law from God through Moses.
- **Tabernacle Construction:** The Tabernacle had been constructed according to God's instructions, and the organization of the priestly duties was part of establishing the religious life of the Israelite community.
- **Tribal Roles:** The tribe of Levi was not given a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but was instead set apart for the service of the Lord in the Tabernacle. This verse outlines the Levites' role in supporting the priests (from the family of Aaron) in their sacred duties.
In summary, Numbers 18:4 is a directive from God to Moses concerning the roles of the Levites in maintaining the Tabernacle and its services, highlighting the importance of their assistance to the priests and the need to preserve the sanctity of the worship space by restricting access to those who were consecrated for this purpose.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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). - Strong's Number: H8104
There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַר
Transliteration: shâmar
Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). - Strong's Number: H4931
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁמֶרֶת
Transliteration: mishmereth
Pronunciation: mish-mer'-reth
Description: feminine of מִשְׁמָר; watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e. (abstractly) duty or (objectively) a usage or party; charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. - 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. - Strong's Number: H4150
There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹעֵד
Transliteration: môwʻêd
Pronunciation: mo-ade'
Description: or מֹעֵד; or (feminine) מוֹעָדָה; (2 Chronicles 8:13), from יָעַד; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally ayear; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand); appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed). - Strong's Number: H5656
There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבֹדָה
Transliteration: ʻăbôdâh
Pronunciation: ab-o-daw'
Description: or עֲבוֹדָה; from עָבַד; work of any kind; act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. - Strong's Number: H2114
There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זוּר
Transliteration: zûwr
Pronunciation: zoor
Description: a primitive root; to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery; (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange(-r, thing, woman). - 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.