Numbers 3:6

6 "Bring forward the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron so they can help him.

Numbers 3:6 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:6

Bring the tribe of Levi near
Separate them from the rest, set them apart for special service about, the sanctuary, let them have a place nearer to it than the other tribes, or offer them, that is, to the Lord, as in ( Numbers 8:11 ) ; as well as bring them near to Aaron; so it follows:

and present them before Aaron the priest;
that he may receive them as a gift unto him, as servants to wait upon him; and! that he may appoint and declare unto them their work, and set them about it:

that they may minister unto him;
in guarding the tabernacle taking care of the vessels of it, taking it down, carrying it, from place to place, and setting it up as there was occasion for it.

Numbers 3:6 In-Context

4 But Nadab and Abihu fell dead in the presence of God when they offered unauthorized sacrifice to him in the Wilderness of Sinai. They left no sons, and so only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father, Aaron.
5 God spoke to Moses. He said,
6 "Bring forward the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron so they can help him.
7 They shall work for him and the whole congregation at the Tent of Meeting by doing the work of The Dwelling.
8 Their job is to be responsible for all the furnishings of The Dwelling, ministering to the affairs of The Dwelling as the People of Israel come to perform their duties.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.