Numbers 18:4 kjv
And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.
Numbers 18:4 nkjv
They shall be joined with you and attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, for all the work of the tabernacle; but an outsider shall not come near you.
Numbers 18:4 niv
They are to join you and be responsible for the care of the tent of meeting?all the work at the tent?and no one else may come near where you are.
Numbers 18:4 esv
They shall join you and keep guard over the tent of meeting for all the service of the tent, and no outsider shall come near you.
Numbers 18:4 nlt
The Levites must join you in fulfilling their responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the Tabernacle, but no unauthorized person may assist you.
Numbers 18 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3:24 | He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed cherubim... | Exclusion from sacred presence |
| Ex 28:1 | "Bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to be priests to me..." | Priestly calling, Aaron's lineage confirmed |
| Ex 29:37 | ...the altar shall be most holy; whatever touches the altar shall be holy. | Holiness of the altar |
| Lev 10:1-3 | Nadab and Abihu...offered unauthorized fire before the Lord... | Wrath for unauthorized service |
| Lev 21:12 | He shall not go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God... | Holiness and restriction of high priest |
| Num 1:53 | ...the Levites shall encamp around the tabernacle of the testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. | Levites' protective role |
| Num 3:10 | You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. | Priestly responsibility |
| Num 16:40 | ...a memorial to the people of Israel, so that no outsider...might come near to offer incense before the Lord... | Korah's judgment, restriction on priesthood |
| Num 16:46-48 | Aaron stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. | Averting wrath through priestly action |
| Num 17:13 | "Everyone who comes near to the tabernacle of the Lord shall die." | Danger of unauthorized approach |
| 1 Sam 6:19 | He struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked into the ark of the Lord. | Wrath for desecrating sacred objects |
| 2 Sam 6:6-7 | Uzzah reached out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it...And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah... | Wrath for touching holy things improperly |
| 2 Chr 26:16-21 | ...Uzziah was leprous to the day of his death... | Wrath for usurping priestly office |
| Psa 106:29 | They provoked him to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. | Wrath and its cause |
| Isa 6:7 | "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." | Cleansing for priestly service |
| Eze 44:7-8 | You have brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart...to be in my sanctuary... | Defiling sanctuary by unauthorized entry |
| Heb 5:1 | For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God... | High Priest's representative role |
| Heb 9:6-7 | These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section...but into the second only the high priest goes... | Restricted access to holy places |
| Heb 10:19-22 | Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus... | New covenant access through Christ |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation... | Believer's priesthood in Christ |
| Rev 1:6 | and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father... | Believer's priestly identity |
Numbers 18 verses
Numbers 18 4 Meaning
Numbers 18:4 delineates the exclusive and vital responsibility of the Levitical priests and Aaron's descendants to meticulously guard and minister within the sanctuary and at the altar. This stringent regulation is mandated by God to prevent any further divine wrath from afflicting the people of Israel, explicitly linking priestly faithfulness to the well-being and preservation of the entire community. It reinforces the sacred boundary between the holy and common, and between appointed and unauthorized service.
Numbers 18 4 Context
Numbers 18:4 follows directly from a series of severe judgments demonstrating God's holiness and His definitive establishment of the Aaronic priesthood. Chapters 16 and 17 narrate the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who challenged Moses and Aaron's God-appointed authority, claiming that "all the congregation are holy." This defiance led to unprecedented divine wrath: the earth swallowed Dathan and Abiram, fire consumed 250 rebel leaders offering unauthorized incense, and a plague afflicted the Israelites, stopped only by Aaron's atoning intercession. Chapter 17 confirmed Aaron's divine appointment through the miraculous budding of his staff. Chapter 18 then begins by unequivocally defining the roles, responsibilities, and provisions for Aaron and his sons (the priests) and the Levites. Verse 4 serves as a foundational boundary, stating who has access to the most sacred areas and for what purpose—specifically, to prevent future outbreaks of divine judgment that had just decimated the community.
Numbers 18 4 Word analysis
- וְאַתָּה (v'attah) - "But you": The singular "you" directly addresses Aaron, representing the chief priestly line. This highlights the intensely personal and unique responsibility bestowed upon him and his descendants, distinguishing them from all others, including the rest of the Levites.
- תִּשְׁמְרוּ אֶת מִשְׁמֶרֶת (tishmeru et mishmeret) - "shall keep charge": Derived from the root shamar, meaning "to guard," "watch over," "observe," or "preserve." It signifies a careful, vigilant, and disciplined stewardship. It implies more than just holding a position; it's about actively protecting and maintaining the sacred order. This duty is non-transferable and requires continuous diligence.
- הַקֹּדֶשׁ (ha'kodesh) - "the sanctuary": Refers to the Holy Place within the Tabernacle, containing the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense. This is the designated space for priestly ministry and specific rituals, distinctly set apart for God's presence. Its sanctity demands exclusive access.
- וְאֶת מִשְׁמֶרֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (v'et mishmeret ha'mizbeach) - "and the charge of the altar": This specifies the altar of burnt offering in the outer court. It was the central point for Israel's sin atonement and communion with God. The charge included maintaining the fire, preparing sacrifices, and ensuring the ritual purity required for its function. Its distinct mention highlights its critical role in Israel's relationship with God.
- וְלֹא יִהְיֶה עוֹד קֶצֶף (v'lo yihyeh od ketsef) - "that there may never again be wrath": Ketsef signifies divine indignation, severe anger, or a sudden, devastating outpouring of judgment, often manifest as a plague or death. The phrase "never again" (od) explicitly references the recent lethal plagues and serves as a solemn warning, underscoring the severe consequences of dereliction or transgression of these duties. The entire framework of the priesthood and Levites, therefore, acts as a divinely appointed buffer.
- עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (al b'nei Yisrael) - "on the people of Israel": This emphasizes the corporate nature of the covenant. The consequences of priestly or lay violation are not limited to the individual transgressor but fall upon the entire community. This reinforces the interdependency of Israel's spiritual well-being on the strict observance of divine ordinances concerning the sanctuary and priesthood.
Numbers 18 4 Bonus section
The distinction between the common (Israelites), the appointed helpers (Levites), and the fully consecrated mediators (priests/Aaronic line) is a crucial theme throughout Numbers, especially here. This layered system of access and responsibility reflects God's infinite holiness and humanity's fallen state, requiring specific channels for reconciliation and worship under the Old Covenant. The severe consequences for transgression highlight that proximity to God’s holy presence is perilous if approached improperly. The "wrath" here is not capricious but a just response to the defilement of holiness, which threatens the very covenant relationship between God and His people. This system foreshadows the perfect mediation of Christ, who as our High Priest, allows believers to approach God's presence "with confidence" (Heb 4:16) through His once-for-all sacrifice, fulfilling the law's demands for access and atonement, and eliminating the fear of "wrath" for those in Him.
Numbers 18 4 Commentary
Numbers 18:4 serves as a stern theological declaration regarding the inviolable sanctity of God's dwelling and the indispensable role of His appointed priesthood. Following direct manifestations of divine wrath for disobedience, this verse makes it unmistakably clear that priestly vigilance and adherence to assigned boundaries are essential for national preservation. It outlines a protective measure, establishing a buffer against future outbreaks of divine judgment. The emphasis is on faithful stewardship—keeping a watchful "charge" of the most holy aspects of Israel's worship, both the sacred space (sanctuary) and the sacrificial function (altar). Any unauthorized entry or usurpation of priestly duties, whether from other Levites or common Israelites, directly jeopardizes the lives of the entire community, echoing the recent tragedies. This verse solidifies the divine imperative for order, separation, and the recognition of delegated authority as crucial for maintaining fellowship with a holy God.