Numbers 3:6

6 ¹"Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to 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 died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.

5 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

6 "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.

7 They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle.

8 They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.

Cross References

• 1. Numbers 1:50; Numbers 8:6; Numbers 18:2