Numbers 18:5

KJV

And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall keep {H8104} the charge {H4931} of the sanctuary {H6944}, and the charge {H4931} of the altar {H4196}: that there be no wrath {H7110} any more upon the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You will take charge of all the holy things and the altar, so that there will no longer be anger against the people of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again.

American Standard Version

And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar; that there be wrath no more upon the children of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 18:5 delivers a solemn divine mandate to the Aaronic priesthood and the Levites, underscoring their exclusive and meticulous responsibility to guard and maintain the sanctity of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings. This charge was not merely administrative but existential, serving as a crucial safeguard to prevent the recurrence of divine wrath upon the Israelite community, a judgment recently witnessed through the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. The verse thus highlights the profound holiness of God, the gravity of approaching Him, and the vital role of divinely appointed mediation in preserving the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 18:5 is situated within a larger section (Numbers 18:1-7) that meticulously details the specific duties and responsibilities assigned to Aaron and his sons (the priests) and the Levites. This passage immediately follows the dramatic and severe judgment on Korah’s rebellion in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion") and the subsequent divine confirmation of Aaron’s priesthood through the miraculous budding of his staff in [Numbers 17](/numbers/17 "Numbers 17 - Aaron's Staff Buds"). The preceding events underscored the absolute necessity of respecting God's divinely established order for worship and service, particularly regarding who could approach the holy things. Thus, Numbers 18:5 serves as a direct, explicit command to prevent future unauthorized encroachments that could provoke God's wrath, reinforcing the boundaries and the unique, indispensable role of the priestly and Levitical families in mediating between a holy God and His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the wilderness encampment of Israel, with the Tabernacle—God's portable dwelling place—at its very center. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, temples were considered the dwelling places of deities, and access to the inner sanctums was highly restricted, often to the highest priestly classes. Israel's Tabernacle, however, was unique in its divine design and the explicit, detailed instructions for its operation, reflecting the unparalleled holiness of Yahweh. The "charge of the sanctuary" and "charge of the altar" refers to the specific tasks of guarding the Tabernacle precincts, dismantling and setting up the structure, transporting its holy vessels, and performing sacrificial rites. This was a matter of ritual purity, national identity, and the very survival of the community, as any defilement or unauthorized approach was seen as a direct affront to God's holiness, inviting immediate and severe judgment, as seen in the recent deaths of Uzzah [2 Samuel 6:6-7](/2_samuel/6-6-7 "2 Samuel 6:6-7 - Uzzah's Death for Touching the Ark") and Nadab and Abihu [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphasizes the **holiness of God** and the absolute necessity of approaching Him on His terms. The Tabernacle was the locus of God's presence, and its sanctity demanded meticulous care and strict adherence to divine protocol. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **divine order and appointed mediation**. God Himself established the Aaronic priesthood and the Levites as the exclusive mediators between Himself and the people, ensuring proper worship and averting judgment. Their role was to "keep the charge," acting as a protective barrier to maintain ritual purity and prevent unauthorized access, as commanded in [Numbers 1:53](/numbers/1-53 "Numbers 1:53 - Levites Guard the Sanctuary"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **consequences of disobedience and the averting of wrath**. The phrase "that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel" explicitly links the diligent performance of priestly duties to the prevention of divine judgment. This demonstrates God's justice in punishing sin but also His mercy in providing a means—through the divinely ordained system—to maintain a relationship with a sinful people, thus preventing future outbreaks of His "wrath."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Keep (Hebrew, _shâmar'_):** This primitive root means to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., to guard. More broadly, it signifies to protect, attend to, be circumspect, take heed, observe, preserve, or watch. In Numbers 18:5, it conveys the active, diligent, and protective responsibility of the priests and Levites to safeguard the sanctity of the Tabernacle and its ordinances, ensuring strict adherence to divine protocol to prevent defilement or unauthorized access.
* **Charge (Hebrew, _mishmereth'_):** This term denotes a watch, guard, custody, or specific responsibility. It implies a diligent, active, and protective oversight of something precious and vulnerable. In this context, it signifies the sacred duty of the priests and Levites to meticulously safeguard the Tabernacle, its holy objects, and its operational protocols from defilement, unauthorized access, or neglect. It is a responsibility that carries immense weight and consequences.
* **Wrath (Hebrew, _qetseph'_):** This word conveys strong displeasure, indignation, or divine anger, often leading to swift and destructive consequences. Its usage here highlights the grave danger posed by violating God's holy ordinances and the importance of strict adherence to His established order. The "wrath" referred to is a direct, punitive manifestation of God's holiness against sin, as vividly demonstrated in the recent plague following Korah's rebellion [Numbers 16:46](/numbers/16-46 "Numbers 16:46 - The Plague After Korah's Rebellion").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary,"**: This initial clause addresses Aaron and his sons, the priests, commanding them to guard and maintain the sanctity of the entire Tabernacle complex. This includes the Holy Place, the Most Holy Place, and all their sacred furnishings (e.g., the Ark of the Covenant, the altar of incense, the menorah, the table of showbread). Their responsibility was to ensure that only authorized personnel entered specific areas and that all rituals were performed according to divine instruction, preventing any defilement or unauthorized approach that would violate God's holiness.
* **"and the charge of the altar:"**: This specifies a particular focus on the altar, referring primarily to the bronze altar of burnt offering in the outer court and, by extension, the golden altar of incense within the Holy Place. The altar was central to Israel's worship, the place where sacrifices were offered to atone for sin and where God's presence was often manifested. The priests were responsible for its proper use, maintenance, and the handling of the sacrificial blood and fire, ensuring that the sacrificial system functioned as God intended for the expiation of sin and the maintenance of covenant purity.
* **"that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel."**: This final clause explicitly states the profound purpose and consequence of the priests' diligent service. Their faithful execution of duties acted as a crucial protective measure, mediating between a holy God and a sinful people. By upholding the sanctity of the Tabernacle and its rituals, they prevented further outbreaks of divine judgment or plagues upon the entire community, which had recently experienced such wrath due to unauthorized approaches to God's holiness. It underscores the communal impact of individual or corporate sin and the vital role of the priesthood in maintaining the nation's covenant relationship with God.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 18:5 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its urgent and significant message. **Repetition** is evident in the phrase "the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar," which emphasizes the dual, yet interconnected, aspects of the priests' comprehensive responsibility—the entire holy dwelling and the central place of sacrifice. This repetition underscores the comprehensive and non-negotiable nature of their duties. The verse also functions as a clear example of **Divine Mandate**, as it is a direct command from God, highlighting His supreme authority and the non-negotiable nature of His instructions for worship and order. Furthermore, it presents a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship: the priests' diligent "keeping of the charge" is the cause, and the prevention of "wrath any more upon the children of Israel" is the direct effect. This cause-and-effect structure reinforces the critical importance of obedience and the severe consequences of its neglect. The underlying **Covenant Language** is also present, as the faithful performance of these duties is essential for the continued well-being and existence of Israel within their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 18:5 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding holiness and the meticulous care required to approach Him. It reveals that sin, particularly the irreverent or unauthorized approach to God's presence, provokes divine wrath, a concept consistently woven throughout Scripture. The priestly system, with its strict regulations and divinely appointed mediators, was God's gracious provision to allow a sinful people to dwell in the presence of a holy God without being consumed by His holiness. This system foreshadowed the ultimate need for a perfect mediator and a final atonement, highlighting that human effort alone could never fully bridge the gap created by sin. The verse thus speaks to the enduring theological truths of God's transcendence, humanity's fallenness, and the necessity of divine intervention for reconciliation, ultimately pointing to the perfect solution found in Christ.

* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire")
* [Hebrews 9:7](/hebrews/9-7 "Hebrews 9:7 - The High Priest Enters the Holy of Holies")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific priestly duties of Numbers 18:5 have been fulfilled and superseded in Christ, the underlying principles offer profound lessons for believers today. We are called to approach God with reverence and awe, recognizing His infinite holiness, not with fear of immediate physical wrath, but with a deep respect for His character and commands. As a "royal priesthood" [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood"), believers have spiritual responsibilities to guard the sanctity of the church, uphold sound doctrine, and live lives that honor God's presence within us and among us. Neglecting our spiritual duties, treating God's Word lightly, or allowing sin to fester within the community can still have serious consequences, impacting our fellowship with God and our witness to the world. This verse reminds us that faithful stewardship of our spiritual callings is not just for our individual benefit but for the health and purity of the entire body of Christ, ensuring that God's presence is honored and His purposes are advanced, and that we do not bring reproach upon His holy name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, as modern believers, inadvertently treat God or spiritual matters with a lack of reverence, similar to the unauthorized approaches of old?**
* **What does "keeping the charge" of our spiritual responsibilities look like in our daily lives and within our faith communities?**
* **How does understanding God's holiness and His past wrath motivate us to live in greater obedience and appreciation for Christ's mediation?**

### FAQ
**How is the "wrath" mentioned in Numbers 18:5 relevant to Christians today, given that Christ has atoned for sin?**

Answer: While Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross has definitively removed God's eternal wrath from those who believe in Him, ensuring "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus"), the concept of God's wrath remains relevant. In the Old Testament, "wrath" often manifested as temporal judgments or consequences for disobedience, even among God's covenant people. For believers today, while we are saved from eternal condemnation, unconfessed sin, rebellion, or irreverence can still lead to temporal discipline from God [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline of His Children"), broken fellowship, or a loss of spiritual vitality. The principle of God's holiness and His intolerance for sin remains constant. Numbers 18:5 reminds us that God takes His holiness seriously, and while Christ has dealt with the ultimate penalty of sin, our conduct still matters in our relationship with Him and in the health of the church. It underscores the seriousness with which we should approach God and our spiritual responsibilities, not out of fear of damnation, but out of reverence and love for the One who saved us from all wrath.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 18:5, with its emphasis on the priests guarding the sanctuary to avert wrath, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Tabernacle, with its altars and priestly duties, was a shadow of the true heavenly sanctuary and the perfect High Priest to come [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Christ, Minister of the True Tabernacle"). Jesus is the perfect "keeper of the charge," not merely of a physical sanctuary, but of God's eternal holiness and the very covenant between God and humanity. As our Great High Priest, He entered the true sanctuary—heaven itself—not with the blood of animals, but with His own precious blood, securing an eternal redemption for us [Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption"). Through His singular, perfect sacrifice on the cross, Jesus definitively dealt with the issue of divine wrath, taking upon Himself the judgment due to humanity's sin. For all who believe, there is now truly "no wrath any more" [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood, Saved from Wrath"), as Christ has fully satisfied God's righteous demands. He is the ultimate mediator who stands between a holy God and sinful humanity, not to prevent temporary plagues, but to grant eternal life and direct access to the Father's presence, making us a "holy priesthood" in Him [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Holy Priesthood") and enabling us to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" [Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Drawing Near to God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 27:21

In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which [is] before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: [it shall be] a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

Numbers 16:46

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

Leviticus 24:3

Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: [it shall be] a statute for ever in your generations.

Jeremiah 23:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

1 Timothy 5:21

I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Numbers 8:2

Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.

Leviticus 10:6

And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.