Numbers 18:22

22 From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die.

Numbers 18:22 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.
English Standard Version (ESV)
22 so that the people of Israel do not come near the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin and die.
New Living Translation (NLT)
22 “From now on, no Israelites except priests or Levites may approach the Tabernacle. If they come too near, they will be judged guilty and will die.
The Message Bible (MSG)
22 Starting now, the rest of the People of Israel cannot wander in and out of the Tent of Meeting; they'll be penalized for their sin and the penalty is death.
American Standard Version (ASV)
22 And henceforth the children of Israel shall not come nigh the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin, and die.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
22 The other Israelites must never again come near the tent of meeting. Otherwise, they'll suffer the consequences of their sin and die.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
22 The Israelites must never again come near the tent of meeting, or they will incur guilt and die.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
22 From now on the people of Israel must not go near the Tent of Meeting. If they do, they will be punished for their sin. They will die.

Numbers 18:22 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 18:22

Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the
tabernacle of the congregation
To do any part of the priest's office, as to burn incense, as Korah and his company had done; or to do any part of the work of the Levites, by watching in the tabernacle, by taking it down and setting it up, and bearing the vessels of it; otherwise they might come to it, to bring their sacrifices, to pay their vows, and for their purification when necessary, and such like things:

lest they bear sin and die;
lest sin be charged upon them, and punishment be inflicted, even the punishment of death; for it was death to intrude into the priest's office.

Numbers 18:22 In-Context

20 The LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.
21 “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.
22 From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die.
23 It is the Levites who are to do the work at the tent of meeting and bear the responsibility for any offenses they commit against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites.
24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’ ”

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Exodus 28:43; Leviticus 22:9; Numbers 1:51
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