Priests’ and Levites’ Duties
Numbers 18:1-7
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Num.18.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ובניך: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:2,ms
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- תשאו: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- עון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המקדש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- ובניך: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:2,ms
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- תשאו: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- עון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כהנתכם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,prsuf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Num.18.7 (verbal): Immediate continuation in the same chapter: repeats and clarifies that Aaron and his sons are liable for any offense against the sanctuary (same language of 'bear iniquity').
- Num.3.10 (structural): Earliest assignment of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood ('thou shalt set Aaron and his sons apart'), establishing their special charge and custodial responsibility over sanctuary duties.
- Lev.4:3-4 (thematic): If the anointed priest sins he must bring a sin offering — shows the priestly obligation to answer for sin and to make atonement on behalf of the sanctuary/people.
- Lev.10:3 (thematic): After Nadab and Abihu's death God declares He will be sanctified among those near Him, emphasizing the grave accountability of priests who serve in proximity to the sanctuary.
- 1 Sam.2:29-31 (allusion): God condemns Eli for failing to restrain his sons and declares the iniquity of Eli's house will not be wiped away — a parallel motif of a priestly house bearing responsibility for offenses.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying: You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
- And the LORD said to Aaron: You and your sons and the house of your father with you shall bear the guilt of the sanctuary; you and your sons with you shall bear the guilt of your priesthood.
Num.18.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- אחיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- מטה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לוי: PROPN,m,sg
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- הקרב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- וילוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- וישרתוך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- ובניך: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:2,ms
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- העדת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 3:6–10 (verbal): Directly parallels the assignment of the Levites to serve ‘before the Tent of Meeting’ and to minister to Aaron and his sons—establishing the Levites’ role described in Num 18:2.
- Numbers 8:14–19 (structural): Explains the transfer of service from the firstborn to the Levites and the ordination of the Levites for ministry at the sanctuary, closely related to Num 18’s allocation of Levites to Aaron’s service.
- Deuteronomy 18:1–2 (thematic): Treats the Levites’ special status and provision from the community and their dedication to cultic service—theological and social background to the duty noted in Num 18:2.
- 1 Chronicles 23:25–32 (thematic): Post‑exilic/monarchical reorganization of Levites for temple service and specific ministerial duties echoes and expands the ministerial role assigned in Num 18:2.
- Exodus 32:26–29 (allusion): The Levites’ rallying to Moses and separation from the people after the golden calf prefigures their special attachment and service to the sanctuary community described in Num 18:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And also your kinsmen the Levites, the tribe of your father, shall come near to you; they shall be joined to you and serve you; and you and your sons with you shall attend before the tent of meeting.
- And your brethren, the tribe of Levi—the tribe of your father—shall draw near to you; they shall attach themselves to you and minister to you, and you and your sons shall stand before the Tent of Meeting.
Num.18.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- משמרתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss=2m
- ומשמרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- כל: DET
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אך: PART
- אל: NEG
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- הקדש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- יקרבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- ימתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- גם: ADV
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- גם: ADV
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 3:10 (verbal): Same injunction assigning the priestly charge to Aaron and his sons and warning that a non‑priest who draws near shall be put to death — closely mirrors the restriction on approaching holy vessels and the altar.
- Leviticus 10:1-3 (allusion): The death of Nadab and Abihu for offering 'strange fire' exemplifies the lethal consequence of unauthorized or improper approach to sacred service, reinforcing the warning in Num 18:3.
- Leviticus 16:2 (thematic): God's restriction on Aaron's entry into the holy place (only at the appointed time, with prescribed rites) parallels Num 18:3's delineation of who may approach the sanctuary and altar.
- Deuteronomy 18:1-2 (thematic): Sets apart priests/Levites with distinct duties and provisions (their 'portion' being the LORD's offerings), thematically related to Num 18:3's assignment of exclusive sanctuary service to Aaron's household.
- 2 Chronicles 26:16-18 (allusion): King Uzziah's attempt to burn incense (a priestly act) and the priestly rebuke/penalty (leprosy) provides a historical/example parallel of punishment for unauthorized performance of sacred duties.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall keep your charge and the charge of the whole tent, but they shall not come near the holy things or the altar, lest they die—neither they nor you.
- They shall guard your charge and the charge of the whole Tabernacle; but they shall not come near the holy vessels or the altar, lest they die—both you and they.
Num.18.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונלוו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- ושמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- משמרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- עבדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יקרב: VERB,qal,impr,3,m,sg
- אליכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
Parallels
- Num.3.8 (verbal): Essentially the same injunction earlier in the narrative: Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle and perform its service; strangers must not perform this work.
- Num.4.15 (thematic): Regulation for the Kohathite Levites about handling holy things and the prohibition on unauthorized contact—parallels the warning that strangers must not approach the sanctuary work.
- Deut.10.8 (thematic): Deuteronomy’s summary of God’s separation of the Levites to serve the LORD echoes the purpose behind assigning them to guard and attend the tabernacle.
- 1 Chron.23.28 (structural): A later administrative recapitulation of Levitical duties: guarding/serving the house of the LORD and caring for holy things, reflecting the same division of sanctuary labor and exclusion of outsiders.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall be attached to you and keep the charge of the tent of meeting for all the service of the tent; a stranger shall not come near you.
- They shall be joined to you and keep the charge of the Tent of Meeting for all the service of the Tabernacle; a stranger shall not come near you.
Num.18.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- משמרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הקדש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- משמרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולא: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 3:7-8 (verbal): Levites are commanded to 'keep all the instruments of the tabernacle' and 'keep the charge' of the congregation—same phrasing and function as guarding the sanctuary to prevent divine judgment.
- Exodus 28:36-38 (verbal): The priestly forehead plate is declared 'holy to the LORD' so that Aaron may 'bear the iniquity of the holy things'—language and idea of priests bearing responsibility for the sanctuary closely parallel Numbers 18:5.
- Exodus 29:43-46 (thematic): God promises to sanctify the tent, altar, and priests and to dwell among Israel; links proper priestly service/sanctification with God's presence and the averting of wrath on the people.
- Leviticus 10:3 (thematic): In the wake of Nadab and Abihu's deaths God stresses that He must be sanctified among those who draw near—underscores priestly conduct and its relation to preventing God's anger.
- Leviticus 10:10-11 (thematic): Priests are commanded to distinguish holy from unholy and to teach Israel the statutes—an explicit statement of priestly duties aimed at guarding holiness and averting punishment on the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall keep the charge of the sanctuary and the charge of the altar, so that there shall be no more wrath upon the people of Israel.
- You shall keep the charge of the sanctuary and the charge of the altar, so that there shall be no more wrath against the people of Israel.
Num.18.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- הנה: PART
- לקחתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אחיכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,pl
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מתוך: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- מתנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נתנים: VERB,niphal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- לעבד: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 3:12-13 (verbal): God declares He has taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the firstborn and given them to Aaron to do the service of the tabernacle—language and claim parallel to Num 18:6.
- Numbers 8:14-19 (verbal): Describes the purification and formal setting apart of the Levites and their assignment to Aaron and the service of the Tent of Meeting, closely matching the purpose and wording of Num 18:6.
- Deuteronomy 10:8-9 (verbal): States that the LORD separated the tribe of Levi and gave them to Aaron the priest to minister and to teach Israel the statutes—echoes the idea of Levites being given for priestly/tabernacle service.
- 1 Chronicles 23:26-32 (thematic): David arranges and assigns the Levites to duties in the house of the LORD, elaborating the institutional role of Levites set apart for temple/tabernacle service as in Num 18:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, I have taken your kinsmen the Levites from among the people of Israel; to you they are given as a gift—given to the LORD to do the service of the tent of meeting.
- Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel for you as a gift; they are given to the LORD to do the work of the service of the Tent of Meeting.
Num.18.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- ובניך: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:2,ms
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- תשמרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כהנתכם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולמבית: PREP
- לפרכת: PREP
- ועבדתם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- עבדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- מתנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כהנתכם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והזר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הקרב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יומת: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 28:41 (verbal): Both passages set Aaron and his sons apart for the priesthood and describe their consecration/appointment to minister at the sanctuary (similar language about putting on/officiating roles).
- Leviticus 16:2 (verbal): Explicit warning that unauthorized entry into the holy place brings death—parallels the clause that a foreigner who approaches will be put to death.
- Leviticus 10:1-3 (thematic): The death of Nadab and Abihu for unauthorized/ improper cultic action underscores the priestly monopoly on certain sanctuary duties and the deadly risk of improper approach.
- Deuteronomy 18:1-2 (thematic): Speaks of the Levites/priestly class having exclusive cultic duties and their provision/maintenance—parallels Numbers’ assignment of sanctuary service and priests’ exclusive role.
- 2 Samuel 6:6-7 (thematic): Uzzah’s death for mishandling/approaching a holy object illustrates the same principle that unauthorized proximity to sacred things incurs lethal sanction.
Alternative generated candidates
- You and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for every matter of the altar and for the inner sanctuary; and you shall serve—I give your priesthood to you as a gift-service; and any outsider who comes near shall be put to death.
- And you and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for every matter of the altar and for the inner place behind the veil; and you shall serve. I give you the priesthood as a gift; but the outsider who draws near shall be put to death.
And the LORD spoke to Aaron: You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the guilt of the sanctuary; you and your sons with you shall bear the guilt of your priesthood.
Moreover your brothers, the Levites, of the tribe of your father shall come near to you; they shall be joined to you and minister to you, and you and your sons with you shall minister before the Tent of Meeting.
They shall keep your charge and the charge of the whole tent; but they shall not come near the holy things or to the altar, that they may not die—neither they nor you.
They shall be joined to you and shall keep the service of the Tent of Meeting; and a foreigner shall not come near you.
You shall keep the charge of the sanctuary and the charge of the altar, so that there shall no longer be wrath against the sons of Israel.
Behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the sons of Israel; behold, I have given them to you as a gift—consecrated to the LORD—to do the service of the Tent of Meeting. And you and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for everything pertaining to the altar and to the inner sanctuary; you shall perform the priestly service—I give your priesthood as a gift—and any foreigner who comes near shall be put to death.