Numbers 1:51 kjv
And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Numbers 1:51 nkjv
And when the tabernacle is to go forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall set it up. The outsider who comes near shall be put to death.
Numbers 1:51 niv
Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it. Anyone else who approaches it is to be put to death.
Numbers 1:51 esv
When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.
Numbers 1:51 nlt
Whenever it is time for the Tabernacle to move, the Levites will take it down. And when it is time to stop, they will set it up again. But any unauthorized person who goes too near the Tabernacle must be put to death.
Numbers 1 51 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:50-53 | "but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony... that there be no wrath upon the congregation." | Levites exempt from census for their specific holy duties. |
| Num 3:7-8 | "They shall keep charge of him and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting..." | Further detailing Levite duties of serving Aaron. |
| Num 3:10 | "You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood; but if a stranger comes near, he shall be put to death." | Priestly exclusion for non-Aaronic; danger of approaching without authorization. |
| Num 3:38 | "Moses and Aaron and his sons, to the east of the tabernacle... and the stranger who comes near shall be put to death." | Reiterates Levite role and death penalty for unauthorized access. |
| Num 4:15 | "...but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die." | Kohathites' specific instructions for carrying, warning against direct touch. |
| Num 4:18-20 | "Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites... so that they may not die when they approach..." | Further warnings on looking at or touching sacred things. |
| Num 8:19 | "...given to Aaron and his sons... so that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when they come near the sanctuary." | Levites protect Israel from God's wrath due to unauthorized approach. |
| Num 16:35 | "And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the two hundred fifty men who offered the incense." | Example of divine judgment on unauthorized approach (Korah's rebellion). |
| Num 18:3 | "...but they shall not come near the vessels of the sanctuary or the altar, lest they and you die." | Priests and Levites ensure people do not approach too closely. |
| Num 18:7 | "But you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar... and the outsider who comes near shall be put to death." | Emphasizes exclusivity of priestly function and consequence for infringement. |
| Lev 10:1-2 | "Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put unauthorized fire in it before the LORD... fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them..." | Illustrates "put to death" for unauthorized service. |
| Exod 19:12-13 | "And you shall set limits for the people all around... 'Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death.'" | Principle of setting boundaries around God's holy presence at Sinai. |
| Exod 30:20-21 | "When they go into the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die." | Priests require ritual purity to avoid death in service. |
| 2 Sam 6:6-7 | "And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand... and God struck him down there for his error..." | Uzzah's death for touching the Ark, illustrating immediate judgment. |
| 1 Chr 15:13 | "Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, for we did not inquire of him according to order." | Explicit reason for Uzzah's death was ignoring the prescribed Levite procedure. |
| Lev 22:9-10 | "...and a stranger shall not eat of the holy thing." | Sacred offerings reserved for priests, consequences for eating them unauthorized. |
| Heb 9:1-5 | Describes the Tabernacle's structure and the restricted access of the Old Covenant. | Highlights the limitations of access under the old covenant foreshadowing New Covenant access. |
| Heb 10:19-22 | "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus..." | Contrasts Old Covenant restricted access with New Covenant direct access through Christ. |
| Heb 12:28-29 | "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." | Exhortation for reverent worship, acknowledging God's holiness and destructive power. |
| Isa 6:5 | "And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!'" | Prophet Isaiah's fearful response to experiencing God's holiness. |
| Lev 19:2 | "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." | Underlying principle for all separation and holiness requirements. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" | Echoes Lev 19:2, applying the holiness principle to believers in the New Testament. |
| Deut 10:8 | "At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to him..." | Confirms the divine appointment of Levites for handling sacred objects. |
Numbers 1 verses
Numbers 1 51 Meaning
Numbers 1:51 outlines the exclusive and vital role of the Levites concerning the Tabernacle's movement. It dictates that only Levites are authorized to dismantle and set up the holy dwelling, emphasizing strict adherence to divine protocol. The severe consequence for any unauthorized person ("stranger") who approaches the Tabernacle during these processes, or generally, is death, underscoring the absolute holiness of God and His dwelling place. This decree protects both the sanctity of the Tabernacle and the people from divine wrath due to irreverence or trespass.
Numbers 1 51 Context
Numbers 1:51 is embedded within the detailed instructions for organizing the Israelite camp and preparing for their wilderness journey from Mount Sinai. The preceding verses (Numbers 1:49-50) specifically set the Levites apart from the general census of fighting men. Their divine appointment was not for military service but for the sacred task of ministering to the Tabernacle, Israel's portable sanctuary and the focal point of God's presence among them. Historically, ancient Near Eastern cultures had temples and specific classes of priests, but Israel's God demanded an unprecedented level of ritual purity, separation, and strict adherence to divine command for approaching His unique dwelling. The Tabernacle represented the very throne room of the Holy God in their midst, necessitating meticulously ordered access to prevent God's consuming holiness from bringing judgment upon an impure or irreverent people. This verse underscores that approaching God is not a casual endeavor but requires strict obedience to His revealed will, a concept crucial for understanding Israel's identity as a holy nation set apart by their God.
Numbers 1 51 Word analysis
- And when the Tabernacle is to be removed (וּבְנָסְעַ הַמִּשְׁכָּן - u-v'nasso'a ha-mishkan):
- וּבְנָסְעַ (u-v'nasso'a): "and when journeying/traveling/removing." The verb 'נסע' (nasa) signifies movement, journeying, breaking camp. It emphasizes the portability of God's dwelling and His readiness to move with His people.
- הַמִּשְׁכָּן (ha-mishkan): "the Tabernacle." From the root 'שכן' (shakan), meaning "to dwell." It represents God's dwelling place among His people. Its name underscores God's personal, immanent presence in the midst of Israel.
- the Levites shall take it down (יוֹרִידוּ אֹתוֹ הַלְוִיִּם - yoridu oto ha-l'viyim):
- יוֹרִידוּ (yoridu): "they shall bring down/lower." Implies careful, precise dismantling, highlighting the sacredness of each part.
- הַלְוִיִּם (ha-l'viyim): "the Levites." This tribe was chosen by God as His substitute for the firstborn of Israel, uniquely dedicated for sacred service and care of the Tabernacle. This was a non-negotiable, inherited privilege and responsibility.
- and when the Tabernacle is to be pitched (וּבַחֲנֹת הַמִּשְׁכָּן - u-va-chanot ha-mishkan):
- וּבַחֲנֹת (u-va-chanot): "and when encamping/pitching." The verb 'חנה' (chanah) means to pitch a tent, encamp, settle. This mirrors the previous phrase, indicating equal strictness for both dismantling and reassembling.
- the Levites shall set it up (יְקִימוּ אֹתוֹ הַלְוִיִּם - yekimu oto ha-l'viyim):
- יְקִימוּ (yekimu): "they shall establish/set up/raise up." This signifies rebuilding the structure with proper care and order.
- and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death (וְהַזָּר הַקָּרֵב יוּמָת - v'haz-zar ha-karev yumath):
- וְהַזָּר (v'haz-zar): "and the stranger." This word 'זר' (zar) does not necessarily mean a foreigner in nationality, but rather someone who is "unauthorized," "unconsecrated," or "profane" regarding specific holy duties. It signifies anyone who is not designated for this sacred service, regardless of their tribal affiliation, except for the specifically appointed Levites (or Aaron's line for priestly tasks).
- הַקָּרֵב (ha-karev): "the one who draws near/approaches." The verb 'קרב' (karav) means "to draw near," "to approach." It implies an intentional act of encroachment or an unauthorized attempt to fulfill a sacred duty. This isn't just accidental proximity but an act of entering restricted space or attempting sacred service without permission.
- יוּמָת (yumath): "he shall be put to death." This is a strong, definitive, passive verb, indicating a divine sentence or consequence. It refers to God's immediate judgment, often resulting in sudden death or plague, rather than necessarily execution by human hands. This extreme penalty underscores the ultimate holiness of God and the profound seriousness of disrespecting His sanctuary. It's a protection for both the holiness of God and the purity of the community, safeguarding them from potential wrath.
Words-group analysis:
- "And when the Tabernacle is to be removed... the Levites shall take it down; and when the Tabernacle is to be pitched... the Levites shall set it up": This chiastic structure (A-B-B'-A') highlights the consistent and exclusive role of the Levites in handling the Tabernacle, whether dismantling or erecting it. This reinforces the comprehensive nature of their sacred task.
- "the Levites shall... and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death": This juxtaposition presents a direct contrast between the authorized personnel and the forbidden. The strict definition of the "stranger" ensures clear boundaries, maintaining the sanctity of God's presence.
Numbers 1 51 Bonus section
The concept of the "stranger" (זר, zar) being put to death for drawing near to sacred objects/spaces applies not just to the Tabernacle itself but also to the priestly duties. For instance, in Numbers 3:10 and 18:7, the "stranger" (anyone not of Aaron's line) who performs priestly functions faces the same judgment. This underscores a tiered system of holiness and accessibility: the holiest place (Most Holy Place) accessible only to the High Priest, the Holy Place accessible to priests, and the Tabernacle structure itself handled by specific Levite families, all while the general Israelite public encamped around them. This spatial and functional segregation served as a tangible lesson in God's ordered holiness, providing both revelation of His nature and protection for the people until the time for greater access would be inaugurated through Christ. The meticulous details here also prefigure the careful ordering of the New Covenant church, emphasizing that service to God is not to be done presumptuously, but reverently according to His revealed will.
Numbers 1 51 Commentary
Numbers 1:51 is a foundational declaration of God's meticulous order and His absolute holiness. It establishes the exclusive custodial role of the Levites for the Tabernacle, both for its dismantling and assembly during Israel's journey. This segregation wasn't merely organizational convenience; it was a divine mandate rooted in the inherent danger of a sinful people encountering a holy God without proper mediation and adherence to His revealed will. The extreme penalty for unauthorized approach—"death"—serves as a stark reminder of God's consuming holiness and intolerance for casual or presumptuous access. This divine strictness safeguarded the Tabernacle's sanctity and, crucially, protected the very lives of the Israelites from divine wrath. It highlights that God is both transcendent and immanent, dwelling among His people yet requiring strict adherence to His laws to prevent their destruction by His glory. This principle echoes throughout the Scriptures, teaching that approach to God is always on His terms, fostering reverence and awe.