Bible Strands
Numbers 3:10
So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Moses during the wilderness camp organization. This directive follows the assignment of the Levites to Aaron and establishes the boundaries of priestly authority.
The words — The verb תִּפְקֹד (tif.Kod) literally means "you will appoint," indicating a formal commissioning. The noun כְּהֻנָּתָם (ke.hun.na.tam) translates to "their priesthood," specifying the exclusive office being transferred.
The thread — This restriction on priestly access appears in Numbers 1:51, Numbers 3:38, and Numbers 18:7. Each passage reinforces that only Aaron’s lineage may handle the sanctuary and its rites.
Why it lands — The text commands strict adherence to divinely assigned roles and warns of capital consequences for unauthorized approach. It requires readers to recognize that sacred authority is neither elective nor transferable.
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 thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Cross-references
- Numbers 1:51 Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death.
- Numbers 3:38 Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.
- Numbers 18:7 But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”
- Romans 12:7 if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
- Exodus 29:9 Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you are to ordain Aaron and his sons.
- Numbers 16:35 And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.
- 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 18:3 And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die.
- 2 Chronicles 26:16 But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
- Ezekiel 44:8 And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’