Numbers 1:53

53 forsooth the deacons shall set their tents by compass of the tabernacle, lest indignation be made on the multitude of the sons of Israel; and they shall (stand) watch in the keepings of the tabernacle of witnessing. (but the Levites shall pitch their tents around the Tabernacle, lest my indignation come upon all the multitude of the Israelites; and they shall keep charge of the Tabernacle of the Witnessing.)

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 When men shall go forth, or be removed, the deacons shall take down the tabernacle; when the tents shall be set (up), they shall set it up (again). Whoever of strangers nigheth (to it), he shall be slain (he shall be put to death).
52 Soothly the sons of Israel shall set tents, each man by his companies, and his fellowships, and his host; (And the other Israelites shall pitch their tents, each man in his company, and his fellowship, and his army;)
53 forsooth the deacons shall set their tents by compass of the tabernacle, lest indignation be made on the multitude of the sons of Israel; and they shall (stand) watch in the keepings of the tabernacle of witnessing. (but the Levites shall pitch their tents around the Tabernacle, lest my indignation come upon all the multitude of the Israelites; and they shall keep charge of the Tabernacle of the Witnessing.)
54 Therefore the sons of Israel did by all things which the Lord commanded to Moses. (And so the Israelites did all the things that the Lord commanded to Moses.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.