Bible Strands
Numbers 4:20
But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses relays the LORD's command to Aaron and his sons, instructing them to assign tasks to the Kohathites so they do not approach the holy objects.
The words — יָבֹאוּ (ya.vo'u) literally means "they will go," and לִרְאֹת (li'ro't) means "to see."
The thread — The lethal consequence of unauthorized gaze at sacred objects recurs in 1 Samuel 6:19 and Exodus 19:21, where divine warning precedes lethal consequences.
Why it lands — It requires readers to treat prescribed boundaries as non-negotiable when approaching the holy, prioritizing obedience over curiosity.
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
But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 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 10:2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.
- 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 4:19 In order that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry.
- Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
- Revelation 11:19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.