King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Summon the tribe of Levi, and assign them to Aharon the cohen, so that they can help him.
Berean Standard Bible:
“Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.
American Standard Version:
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Bring{H7126} the tribe{H4294} of Levi{H3878} near{H7126}, and present{H5975} them before{H6440} Aaron{H175} the priest{H3548}, that they may minister{H8334} unto him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 18:1
- ¶ And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
Numbers 18:7
- 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.
Numbers 2:17
- Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.
Deuteronomy 10:8
- At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.
Numbers 16:9
- [Seemeth it but] a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
Numbers 16:11
- For which cause [both] thou and all thy company [are] gathered together against the LORD: and what [is] Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
Malachi 2:4
- And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 3:6
Numbers 3:6 is a verse set within the broader context of the organization of the ancient Israelite community as they camped in the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. The book of Numbers, where this verse is found, is the fourth book of the Pentateuch, traditionally ascribed to Moses, and is primarily concerned with the laws, censuses, and preparations for the Israelites' eventual entry into the Promised Land.
In Numbers 3:6, God commands Moses to bring the tribe of Levi close to Aaron, the high priest, so that they may serve him. This directive is part of the special role assigned to the Levites among the Israelite tribes. Unlike the other tribes who were allocated land in Canaan, the Levites were set apart to assist Aaron and his sons in the duties of the priesthood, including the care of the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites in the wilderness), the performance of sacred rites, and the transportation of the Tabernacle's components as the Israelites journeyed through the desert.
The historical context of this verse reflects the early stages of the formalization of the Israelite priesthood and religious practices. The Levites' service was not only a practical support for the priests but also a sacred duty, as they were responsible for maintaining the sanctity of worship and ensuring the proper conduct of religious ceremonies. This role was hereditary, and the Levites were thus consecrated to serve as intermediaries between God and the people of Israel.
The themes present in this verse include divine selection, sacred service, and the organization of community roles based on religious calling. It underscores the importance of the Levites in the religious life of ancient Israel and their unique status as servants to the priests, emphasizing the hierarchical structure of Israel's religious leadership. The verse also highlights the distinction between the secular and the sacred within the Israelite society, a theme that recurs throughout the Pentateuch.
*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: 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. - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H5975
There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמַד
Transliteration: ʻâmad
Pronunciation: aw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. - 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. - Strong's Number: H175
There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
Pronunciation: a-har-one'
Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron. - Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - 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.