Leviticus 8 35

Leviticus 8:35 kjv

Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.

Leviticus 8:35 nkjv

Therefore you shall stay at the door of the tabernacle of meeting day and night for seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, so that you may not die; for so I have been commanded."

Leviticus 8:35 niv

You must stay at the entrance to the tent of meeting day and night for seven days and do what the LORD requires, so you will not die; for that is what I have been commanded."

Leviticus 8:35 esv

At the entrance of the tent of meeting you shall remain day and night for seven days, performing what the LORD has charged, so that you do not die, for so I have been commanded."

Leviticus 8:35 nlt

Now stay at the entrance of the Tabernacle day and night for seven days, and do everything the LORD requires. If you fail to do this, you will die, for this is what the LORD has commanded."

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 35 Meaning

Leviticus 8:35 instructs Aaron and his sons, after their consecration, to remain continuously at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting for seven full days. This command served as a period of sacred isolation, purification, and intense dedication before they began their active priestly service. It underscores the vital importance of guarding and fulfilling the specific duties and commands entrusted to them by the Lord. The severe consequence of death for disobedience highlights the absolute holiness of God and the strict requirements for those who minister in His presence.

Leviticus 8 35 Context

Leviticus chapter 8 details the solemn and meticulous consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons, Nadab and Abihu, as the first priests of Israel, performed by Moses under divine command. The chapter describes their washing, anointing, robing, and the specific sacrifices offered for their purification and inauguration into service at the newly erected Tabernacle. Following these extensive rituals, verse 35 outlines their crucial final instruction: a seven-day period of continuous stay and vigilance at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. This directive marked the transition from their personal cleansing and investiture to their public office, emphasizing absolute obedience and continuous preparedness for sacred duty, underscoring the gravity and sanctity of the newly established Aaronic priesthood.

Leviticus 8 35 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A simple connective particle, linking this command directly to the preceding actions of consecration in the chapter. It implies continuation and a direct consequence of what has just occurred.
• you shall stay (וִישַׁבְתֶּם - vi-yashavtem): From the root יָשַׁב (yashab), meaning "to sit, dwell, abide, remain." Here, it signifies a prolonged and continuous presence, not just a casual visit. It conveys the idea of taking up residence or maintaining a fixed presence, emphasizing the priestly candidates' required vigilance and readiness for service.
• at the entrance (פֶּתַח - pethach): Refers to the "opening" or "doorway." This location is highly significant as it's the liminal space where the ordinary meets the sacred, where access to God's presence is permitted and mediated. It signifies being ready for the entry and exit required for sacred duties.
• of the tent of meeting (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - ohel mo'ed): The "Tent of Meeting" or Tabernacle was the divinely designated place where God met with His people. It was the central point of Israel's worship and God's dwelling among them. Their constant presence at its entrance symbolized their primary function: facilitating communication and service between God and Israel.
• day and night (יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה - yomam va-laylah): This phrase emphasizes an unbroken, unceasing vigilance. It means constant duty, implying unwavering readiness and commitment without interruption, showcasing the demanding nature of their sacred role.
• for seven days (שִׁבְעַת יָמִים - shiv'at yamim): Seven days is a significant period in biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, often denoting completion, perfection, divine ordinance, or a full cycle of sanctification and inauguration (e.g., creation week, various festivals). For the priests, it marked a full week of purification, training, and transition into their sacred office.
• and keep (וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם - u-shemartem): From the root שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning "to keep, guard, observe, watch over, preserve." This signifies a careful, vigilant adherence and protective care of something entrusted to them.
• the charge (מִשְׁמֶרֶת - mishmereth): Refers to a "charge," "duty," "guard," "ordinance," or "responsibility." It implies a trust given, a set of instructions, or an assigned task that must be meticulously carried out. It encapsulates the full scope of the Lord's commands regarding their office and the sanctuary.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing that this command originates directly from the divine authority of the one true God, Israel's deliverer and covenant partner. His holiness underpins the severity of the command.
• lest you die (וְלֹא תָמֻתוּ - ve-lo tamutu): This is a strong, negative consequence. It highlights the life-or-death seriousness of their duty and the dire penalty for violating God's specific commands concerning sacred space and service. Disregard for divine commands regarding holiness carried an immediate and lethal consequence.
• for so (כִּי כֵן - ki ken): An emphatic phrase meaning "for thus indeed" or "for this is the case." It underscores the definitive nature of the command and its unalterable basis.
• I have commanded you (צֻוֵּיתִי אֶתְכֶם - tzuveiti etchem): Directly stated by God ("I"), indicating absolute divine authority. There is no room for questioning or deviation, only complete submission and obedience.

Words-Group Analysis

• "And you shall stay at the entrance of the tent of meeting day and night for seven days": This entire phrase delineates a very specific, intensive, and limited-time residency. It points to a unique period of dedicated spiritual apprenticeship and purification, demanding continuous physical presence and vigilance within the most sacred earthly space for an appointed duration. It’s not just about staying, but about remaining constantly vigilant within God’s appointed space for His specific period of inauguration.
• "and keep the charge of the Lord": This specifies the purpose of their continuous vigil. It is not merely physical presence but active, faithful adherence to their divinely mandated duties and responsibilities concerning the Tabernacle and its services. "The charge of the Lord" encapsulates the entire body of priestly law and responsibility.
• "lest you die": This phrase establishes the severe stakes. It highlights the grave consequences of unfaithfulness or disobedience concerning sacred matters. It underscores the profound holiness of God and the deadly seriousness of violating His established order and sacred boundaries for priestly service.
• "for so I have commanded you": This asserts divine imperative and sovereign will as the sole and sufficient reason for the command. It grounds the entire injunction in God's authority, emphasizing that the command is not negotiable or arbitrary but proceeds from God Himself, demanding absolute and immediate obedience.

Leviticus 8 35 Bonus section

The "seven days" of consecration also parallel other biblical narratives of establishment or completion, such as the creation week or the dedication of the temple. This period functioned as a divine apprenticeship or a "quarantine" period for transition, symbolizing a complete severance from their previous secular lives and a total dedication to their new sacred roles. It wasn't enough to just perform the ritual; the internal posture of dedication had to be cultivated over time. This continuous, unwavering presence prefigures the concept of abiding in Christ (John 15:4), where sustained closeness and submission to divine will are key to fruitfulness and faithfulness in our calling. The priestly vigil represents total immersion in the holy atmosphere and divine directives, shaping them into fit vessels for the service they were about to undertake.

Leviticus 8 35 Commentary

Leviticus 8:35 stands as a profound summary instruction at the climax of Aaron and his sons' consecration, marking their full entry into priestly office. The command for an unbroken, seven-day vigil at the Tent of Meeting underscores the solemnity and uniqueness of their newly bestowed authority and responsibilities. This period was not merely ceremonial; it was a time of intensive orientation and immersion in their holy duties, impressing upon them the holiness required for dwelling in the Lord's presence and ministering before Him.

The insistence on "day and night" illustrates the ceaseless commitment demanded by God, signifying total dedication and vigilance over God's holy dwelling place and the service therein. "Keeping the charge of the Lord" encompassed meticulous observance of all the divine laws concerning the Tabernacle, its vessels, sacrifices, and priestly conduct. It was a trust of immense spiritual weight.

The severe consequence, "lest you die," is a potent reminder of God's absolute holiness. This wasn't an empty threat, as later demonstrated by Nadab and Abihu in the next chapter. It establishes an early and vivid standard for the priests, signaling that divine service is not to be approached casually or negligently. Their very lives depended on unwavering obedience and purity. For us today, who are called a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9), this verse underscores that our service to God demands similar commitment, reverence, and faithful adherence to His word, not under threat of physical death, but out of recognition for His holiness and love. It serves as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and calls for diligence in our spiritual walk and service, always discerning God's will and abiding in His presence.