Bible Strands
Numbers 18:2
But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — YHWH instructs Aaron to bring his Levitical relatives to join him and his sons at the Tent of the Testimony. This command follows a declaration that Aaron and his line alone bear the iniquity of the priesthood.
The words — הַקְרֵב (hakrev) translates as "bring near," and שֵׁבֶט (shevet) means "tribe." These terms mark the Levites as those drawn into the sanctuary's operational sphere.
The thread — The directive to present Levites to Aaron appears in Numbers 3:6, where the Hebrew phrase לִפְנֵ֖י אַהֲרֹן indicates standing in his presence for service rather than establishing precedence. Their functional role continues in Numbers 4:15, which assigns Kohathites the duty of carrying the holy objects after Aaron and his sons cover them.
Why it lands — The text requires Aaron to integrate his extended family into sanctuary service while explicitly defining their operational boundaries. It establishes a structural model where delegated assistance is granted but strictly bounded by divine command.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.
Cross-references
- Genesis 29:34 Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.
- Numbers 3:6 “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.
- Numbers 4:15 When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.
- Numbers 8:19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the Israelites, to perform the service for the Israelites at the Tent of Meeting and to make atonement on their behalf, so that no plague will come against the Israelites when they approach the sanctuary.”
- Numbers 8:22 After that, the Levites came to perform their service at the Tent of Meeting in the presence of Aaron and his sons. Thus they did with the Levites just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- Numbers 16:40 just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.
- Numbers 17:7 Then Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.
- Numbers 18:4 They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.
- 1 Chronicles 16:39 And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon
- 2 Chronicles 30:16 They stood at their prescribed posts, according to the Law of Moses the man of God. The priests splattered the blood, which they received from the hand of the Levites.