Numbers 1:53

53 But the Levites will encamp around the tabernacle of the testimony,^[a] and there will not be wrath on the community of the {Israelites};^[b] and the Levites will keep the requirements of the tabernacle of the testimony."^[c]

Numbers 1:53 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 1:53

But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of
testimony
Between the tabernacle and the camps of Israel, to guard the tabernacle and preserve the things in it, and to keep persons from going into it that should not, to pollute or plunder it: these were placed in like manner as the four living creatures round the throne, ( Revelation 4:6 ) ; where the allusion seems to be to this situation of the Levites:

that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of
Israel;
that is, from the Lord, should any of them approach too near, or meddle with and touch what they had nothing to do with, or go where they should not; such wrath as came upon Uzzah for his error and transgression before observed:

and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony;
the several things in it committed to their charge; see ( Numbers 3:8 ) .

Numbers 1:53 In-Context

51 And when the tabernacle is set out, the Levites will {take it down}, and when encamping the tabernacle the Levites will set it up; the stranger that approaches [it] will be put to death.

52 The {Israelites} will encamp, each in their own camp, and each by their own banner according to their divisions.

53 But the Levites will encamp around the tabernacle of the testimony, and there will not be wrath on the community of the {Israelites}; and the Levites will keep the requirements of the tabernacle of the testimony."

54 And the {Israelites} did thus; they did everything that Yahweh commanded Moses.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other modern translations read "tabernacle of the covenant"
• [b]. Literally "sons/children of Israel"
• [c]. Other modern translations read "tabernacle of the covenant"