Bible Strands
Numbers 4:18
“Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be cut off from among the Levites.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks to Moses and Aaron in Numbers 4:17 to establish protocols for handling sacred objects. This directive immediately precedes instructions to prevent the Kohathite clans from being cut off from the Levites.
The words — The Hebrew אַל־ (ʾal-) paired with תַּכְרִיתוּ (takh.rî·ṯû) forms a negative command meaning “may not cut off.” It directly targets the preservation of the Kohathite clans within the Levitical tribe.
The thread — The prohibition against losing Kohathite members parallels warnings against divine judgment for unauthorized approach in Exodus 19:21, Leviticus 10:1, and Numbers 16:32. These texts collectively establish that violating holy boundaries results in death.
Why it lands — The text demands strict adherence to prescribed boundaries to preserve life. It requires readers to recognize that sacred duties require protected access rather than unrestricted participation.
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
Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:
Cross-references
- Exodus 19:21 and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish.
- Leviticus 10:1 Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command.
- Numbers 16:32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions.
- Numbers 17:10 The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.”
- Numbers 18:5 And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again.
- 1 Samuel 6:19 But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter.
- 2 Samuel 6:6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled.
- Jeremiah 38:23 All your wives and children will be brought out to the Chaldeans. And you yourself will not escape their grasp, for you will be seized by the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned down.”