Numbers 18 3

Numbers 18:3 kjv

And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.

Numbers 18:3 nkjv

They shall attend to your needs and all the needs of the tabernacle; but they shall not come near the articles of the sanctuary and the altar, lest they die?they and you also.

Numbers 18:3 niv

They are to be responsible to you and are to perform all the duties of the tent, but they must not go near the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar. Otherwise both they and you will die.

Numbers 18:3 esv

They shall keep guard over you and over the whole tent, but shall not come near to the vessels of the sanctuary or to the altar lest they, and you, die.

Numbers 18:3 nlt

But as the Levites go about all their assigned duties at the Tabernacle, they must be careful not to go near any of the sacred objects or the altar. If they do, both you and they will die.

Numbers 18 verses

Numbers 18 3 Meaning

Numbers 18:3 reiterates the strict divine decree concerning the roles of the Levites and the Aaronic priesthood in serving the tabernacle. It explicitly prohibits the Levites from touching or even drawing near the holy furnishings within the sanctuary and the altar. This command carried the severe penalty of death for any who violated it, emphasizing that this consequence applied to both the offending Levite and the priest who was responsible for ensuring compliance. It underlines the critical importance of divine order, consecrated boundaries, and the profound holiness associated with God's dwelling place and service.

Numbers 18 3 Context

Numbers 18 is situated immediately after Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16 and 17, which directly challenged the unique authority of the Aaronic priesthood. Chapter 16 recounts Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with 250 prominent Israelites, attempting to usurp the priestly function, claiming "all in the congregation are holy." God's judgment swiftly and definitively crushed this rebellion, reaffirming Aaron's chosen status. Chapter 17 further solidifies Aaron's divine appointment through the miracle of his staff budding.

Numbers 18 then details the explicit and detailed division of labor and responsibility between the priests (descendants of Aaron) and the Levites (other members of the tribe of Levi). The core purpose is to prevent future encroachments on the holy things and roles. The verse itself sets the boundaries for the Levites: they are to assist the priests but under no circumstances are they to cross the threshold into functions reserved for the priesthood or touch the holiest articles of the tabernacle. The consequences of such trespass are fatal, highlighting the severe repercussions of disrespecting divine order and God's absolute holiness. This careful delineation ensured the purity and safety of the camp in the presence of a holy God, protecting Israel from His righteous judgment.

Numbers 18 3 Word analysis

• "but" (וְ / wĕ-) : A connective particle here implying contrast or a strong separation of duties, marking a clear distinction between the Levites' permitted proximity (mentioned in the preceding verse) and their forbidden contact with the holy.
• "they" (הֵם / hēm): Refers to the sons of Levi, those who assist the priests as outlined in Numbers 18:2. It emphasizes the collective responsibility and stricture upon the entire Levite tribe, distinguishing them from the Aaronic priests.
• "shall not come near" (לֹא יִקְרְבוּ / lo yiqqrĕvū): From the Hebrew root qarav (to draw near). The "not" (לֹא) indicates an absolute prohibition. The emphasis is on any proximity beyond what is specifically authorized, not just touching. This suggests that even unauthorized approach implies defilement or presumptuousness. It points to a carefully guarded boundary that must not be breached.
• "the furnishings of the sanctuary" (כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ / k'ley haqqodesh):
  • k'ley (כְּלֵי): Means "vessels," "utensils," "implements," or "instruments." It covers all the various articles used in the holy parts of the Tabernacle.
  • haqqodesh (הַקֹּדֶשׁ): Means "the holiness" or "the sanctuary." It refers to the most holy parts of the Tabernacle – the Holy Place (with the table of showbread, golden lampstand, altar of incense) and especially the Most Holy Place (with the Ark of the Covenant). These items are imbued with God's inherent holiness and presence, making them incredibly dangerous for the unauthorized to approach.
• "or the altar" (וְהַמִּזְבֵּחַ / w'hammizbēaḥ): Refers specifically to the bronze altar of burnt offering located in the outer courtyard of the Tabernacle. Even though it is outside the inner sanctum, it is central to Israel's worship and sacrifices, making it exceedingly holy. This shows the holy boundaries extended beyond the curtain to the objects related to God's presence.
• "lest both they and you die" (וְלֹא יָמֻתוּ גַם הֵם גַּם אַתֶּם / w'lo yamūthū gam hem gam attem):
  • lo yamūthū (לֹא יָמֻתוּ): "Lest they die." This indicates the severe consequence: immediate divine judgment resulting in death. It underscores the gravity of violating sacred boundaries.
  • gam hem gam attem (גַּם הֵם גַּם אַתֶּם): "Both them and you." This crucial phrase highlights shared responsibility and shared penalty. "They" refers to the Levites. "You" refers to Aaron and his sons, the priests. This means if the priests fail to prevent the Levites from crossing these boundaries, or if the Levites themselves willfully disobey, divine wrath will be poured out on both parties. This enforces meticulous oversight and obedience from leadership.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "but they shall not come near... lest both they and you die": This framing reveals a direct warning and the shared culpability. The negative injunction ("shall not come near") is followed immediately by the fatal consequence, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of the command and the profound spiritual danger involved. The inclusive "both they and you" underscores the intertwined nature of obedience and judgment within the tabernacle service, pointing to accountability across hierarchical roles.
• "the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar": This specifies the precise boundaries. These are the focal points of Israel's worship and divine communion. By designating these items and areas as off-limits to Levites, God draws a clear line between the "Most Holy" things handled by priests, and the assisting, but not consecrated to that ultimate degree, service of the Levites. This distinction guards the holiness of God against presumption and defilement.

Numbers 18 3 Bonus section

• The divine imperative of "drawing near" (קָרַב - qarav) appears throughout Scripture. While it often implies intimacy and worship, in contexts like Numbers 18:3, it emphasizes authorized approach. Only through divine permission can one approach the holy; unauthorized proximity leads to judgment.
• This verse indirectly defines the core distinction between the Levites (responsible for the Tabernacle's upkeep, disassembly, and transport of its less holy components) and the priests (Aaronic lineage, uniquely permitted to handle holy vessels, make offerings, and enter the inner Tabernacle chambers). This functional hierarchy was divinely established to manage access to a Holy God.
• The phrase "furnishings of the sanctuary" includes specific items like the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense (in the Holy Place), and potentially the Ark of the Covenant (in the Most Holy Place) when under the high priest's preparation for transport. The "altar" specifies the Bronze Altar of burnt offering in the outer court, the first point of contact for an Israelite coming with a sacrifice, yet still consecrated and deadly to touch for unauthorized individuals.
• The warning here serves as a theological anchor for understanding the concept of sin's deadly consequence and the seriousness of desecrating anything set apart by God. It foreshadows the New Testament concept that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" (Heb 9:22), and that direct access to God comes only through the perfect sacrifice and priesthood of Christ, fulfilling and surpassing the limited and dangerous access provided by the Old Covenant.

Numbers 18 3 Commentary

Numbers 18:3 serves as a pivotal decree within the comprehensive legislation concerning the Tabernacle and its service, deeply shaped by the preceding narratives of unauthorized access and divine judgment (Nadab and Abihu in Lev 10, Korah's rebellion in Num 16). The verse unequivocally states the boundary for Levites: they are forbidden from drawing near to the innermost furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar. This prohibition is not merely a ceremonial guideline but a life-or-death imperative. The explicit mention of both "they" (the Levites) and "you" (Aaron and his sons) dying emphasizes shared accountability. The priests bear the primary responsibility for maintaining the sanctity of God's house and ensuring that the Levites fulfill their roles without encroaching upon the holiest domains. This dual responsibility prevents both negligent leadership and rebellious insubordination.

The extreme penalty of death underscores the immense holiness of God and the inherent danger in His presence when His prescribed ways are not strictly followed. It highlights that unauthorized approach, even from those consecrated to serve Him, is an act of spiritual presumptuousness, effectively treating the holy as common. The Old Testament tabernacle system, with its rigid divisions and severe consequences for transgression, constantly reminded Israel of the vast chasm between human sinfulness and divine purity, and the absolute necessity of a divinely ordained mediator and atonement to bridge that gap. This rigid separation served as a type, pointing forward to the ultimate, perfect mediator, Jesus Christ, who uniquely, and without consequence of death, bridges the chasm, allowing all who believe to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" (Heb 4:16).