Numbers 18 6

Numbers 18:6 kjv

And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Numbers 18:6 nkjv

Behold, I Myself have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel; they are a gift to you, given by the LORD, to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting.

Numbers 18:6 niv

I myself have selected your fellow Levites from among the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to do the work at the tent of meeting.

Numbers 18:6 esv

And behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to the LORD, to do the service of the tent of meeting.

Numbers 18:6 nlt

I myself have chosen your fellow Levites from among the Israelites to be your special assistants. They are a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD for service in the Tabernacle.

Numbers 18 verses

Numbers 18 6 Meaning

This verse declares God's direct act of taking the Levites from the midst of the Israelites and giving them to Aaron and his sons, the priests, as a consecrated gift. Their explicit purpose is to perform the dedicated service of the tabernacle of the congregation, underscoring their unique role in assisting the priestly functions and maintaining the sacred space.

Numbers 18 6 Context

Numbers 18 immediately follows the profound confirmations of Aaron's unique priesthood through the blossoming staff (Num 17) and the dire judgment on Korah, Dathan, and Abiram's rebellion (Num 16) for attempting to usurp priestly authority. In this light, Numbers 18 re-establishes and clearly defines the distinct duties, responsibilities, and provisions for the Aaronic priests and the Levites. This verse specifically articulates God's precise designation of the Levites, who, while from the same tribal lineage as Aaron, are fundamentally distinguished from the priestly family in terms of their roles. Historically, during the wilderness wandering, the tabernacle was the central dwelling place of God, necessitating careful organization of its functions to ensure holiness, order, and protection for the congregation, preventing unauthorized approach to God's presence which had proven fatal.

Numbers 18 6 Word analysis

• And I, behold, I have taken:
  • Original Hebrew: וַאֲנִי הִנֵּה (Va'ani hinneh)
  • Va'ani (And I) – Emphasizes divine authority and initiative. God Himself is the one acting. This counters any human assumption of power or role.
  • Hinneh (behold) – A particle of emphasis, drawing attention to the divine declaration. It highlights the directness and certainty of God's statement and action.
  • taken – God's deliberate, sovereign act of selection. It reflects election and setting apart for a specific purpose. This reminds the Israelites that the Levites' role is not self-appointed but divinely ordained.
• your brethren the Levites:
  • Original Hebrew: אֶת־אַחֶיךָ הַלְוִיִּם (et-'aḥekha ha-Levi'im)
  • your brethren – Addresses Aaron (the priest), acknowledging the Levites as fellow members of the tribe of Levi. This emphasizes kinship and a shared lineage, yet establishes a clear hierarchical distinction in function compared to the priestly line.
  • the Levites – Descendants of Levi, the designated tribe for sacred service. This name itself identifies their origin and inherent connection to sanctuary duties from the time of Jacob's blessing/curse.
• from among the children of Israel:
  • Original Hebrew: מִתּוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (mi-tokh b'nei Yisrael)
  • Highlights their origin as part of the wider Israelite community but chosen out of it. This separation emphasizes their unique status as consecrated for the Lord's service, distinguishing them from the general populace.
• to you they are given as a gift for the Lord:
  • Original Hebrew: לָכֶם נְתוּנִים הֵמָּה מַתָּנָה לַיהוָה (lakhem netunim hemmah mattanah laYHWH)
  • to you – Directly addresses Aaron and his priestly descendants. It defines the recipient of this "gift" of service, establishing their oversight.
  • given (נְתוּנִים, netunim) – Literally "allotted" or "designated." This reinforces the concept of divine apportionment rather than acquisition.
  • as a gift (מַתָּנָה, mattana) – Implies that the Levites are not for personal use or gain by the priests but are a divine endowment given for a specific sacred purpose. It denotes a consecration and stewardship, meaning the priests are responsible for their deployment in service to God. The word implies sacred offering, not personal possession.
  • for the Lord (לַיהוָה, laYHWH) – The ultimate beneficiary and purpose of this "gift." The Levites' service is directed toward God Himself, supporting His tabernacle. Their allocation to the priests is for the purpose of serving God.
• to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:
  • Original Hebrew: לַעֲבֹד אֶת־עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (la'avod et-'avodat ohel mo'ed)
  • to do the service (לַעֲבֹד אֶת־עֲבֹדַת, la'avod et-'avodat) – Repetition of the root avad (to work, to serve) emphasizes the arduous, dedicated nature of their work. It signifies priestly or holy ministry, involving ritual care and maintenance.
  • the tabernacle of the congregation (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, ohel mo'ed) – Also known as the Tent of Meeting. This identifies the specific place and focus of their duties – the movable sanctuary where God met with His people. Their service involves setting up, dismantling, transporting, guarding, and general upkeep of this holy dwelling place.

Words-group analysis

• "And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel": This opening phrase asserts God's ultimate sovereignty and divine selection. It emphasizes that the distinct role of the Levites is not a human invention or convenience but a direct, deliberate act of the Creator, setting apart a specific group from the wider community of Israel. This underlines the sanctity and divine authority behind the Levitical ministry.
• "to you they are given as a gift for the Lord": This critical phrase clarifies the unique nature of the Levites' allocation. They are "given" to the priests, establishing a chain of command, but they are a "gift for the Lord." This signifies that the Levites are a sacred trust, a consecrated offering, intended to support divine service. They are not the personal property of the priests but stewards provided by God for His work, to be managed under priestly authority for His ultimate glory and purpose in the Tabernacle.
• "to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation": This provides the overarching mission statement for the Levites. Their function is highly practical and involves the hands-on operation and maintenance of the very center of Israelite worship. This "service" (avodah) encompasses guardianship, physical labor, ceremonial duties, and support roles that ensured the Tabernacle's functions were carried out properly and protected from unauthorized intrusion, safeguarding the holiness of God's dwelling and the lives of the people.

Numbers 18 6 Bonus section

The "gift for the Lord" aspect implies a stewardship. The priests were not to treat the Levites as personal servants but as God's sacred allocation, to be overseen in service to Him. This prevents arrogance or misuse of those given by God for ministry. Furthermore, the selection of the Levites as proxies for the firstborn (Num 3:12-13, 40-51) highlights their dedication to God. Their service protected both God's holiness by ensuring proper protocol and the people's lives by preventing their unauthorized approach to sacred things, fulfilling a crucial mediating role. This echoes a pattern of God setting apart specific groups or individuals for sacred service to maintain order and protect His presence.

Numbers 18 6 Commentary

Numbers 18:6 profoundly solidifies the divinely ordained roles within Israel's sanctuary service, stemming directly from God's decree. Following the rebellion of Korah, which challenged the unique priestly office of Aaron, this verse serves as a critical reinforcement of God's chosen order. It unequivocally states that the Levites, while Aaron's tribal "brethren," are subordinate in function, specifically "given" by God to the priests as a "gift" (a sacred endowment) for the solemn duty of ministering to the Tabernacle. This underscores a structured hierarchy: God's ultimate authority, flowing through the consecrated Aaronic priesthood, enabled by the support of the divinely provided Levites. Their combined service was not arbitrary but designed to maintain holiness, prevent sacrilege, and ensure the proper interaction between a holy God and His people, allowing for atonement and fellowship. It reflects the truth that all service within God's house, even supportive roles, is ultimately directed "for the Lord" and flows from His sovereign election and provision.