Numbers 3:3 kjv
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
Numbers 3:3 nkjv
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he consecrated to minister as priests.
Numbers 3:3 niv
Those were the names of Aaron's sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests.
Numbers 3:3 esv
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.
Numbers 3:3 nlt
These sons of Aaron were anointed and ordained to minister as priests.
Numbers 3 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 28:1 | "Bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him...that he may minister to Me as priest." | God chose Aaron's family for priesthood. |
| Exo 29:7 | "You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him." | Aaron's specific anointing for office. |
| Exo 29:9 | "And you shall dress them with sashes, Aaron and his sons, and bind caps on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever." | Priesthood established as a perpetual statute. |
| Exo 29:29 | "The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him to be anointed in them and ordained in them." | Garments passed on for ordination. |
| Lev 8:12 | "And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him." | Direct anointing for consecration. |
| Lev 8:30 | "Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood...and sprinkled it on Aaron and his garments, and also on his sons and their garments." | Anointing applied to Aaron's sons. |
| Num 3:10 | "You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood." | Reiteration of divine appointment. |
| Num 16:40 | "...a reminder to the people of Israel that no unauthorized person, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should come near to offer incense before the Lord." | Warning against unauthorized priesthood. |
| Num 18:7 | "As for you, and your sons with you, you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil, and you shall minister." | Responsibility and exclusive domain. |
| Deu 10:8 | "At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant...to minister to him and to bless in his name." | Context of Levi, priests subset of Levi. |
| Heb 5:1-4 | "For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed...And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was." | High priestly office by divine calling. |
| Heb 7:11 | "If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek...?" | Limitations of the Levitical priesthood. |
| Heb 7:23-24 | "The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever." | Contrast: Christ's unending priesthood. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." | New Testament: priesthood of all believers. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you..." | All believers share priestly access/duty. |
| Rev 1:6 | "And made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." | Believers as priests in Revelation. |
| Exo 40:15 | "And you shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to Me as priests. And their anointing shall be to them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations." | Priesthood perpetuity through anointing. |
| Isa 61:6 | "But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; you shall be spoken of as the ministers of our God." | Future priesthood mentioned by the prophet. |
| Jer 33:18 | "Nor shall the Levitical priests lack a man in my sight to offer burnt offerings..." | Perpetuity of priesthood mentioned. |
| Eze 44:15-16 | "But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok...shall come near to me to minister to me...they shall wear no wool when they minister at the gates..." | Post-exilic focus on legitimate priests. |
| Luk 1:5 | "In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah." | Example of an Aaronic priest in the New Testament. |
Numbers 3 verses
Numbers 3 3 Meaning
Numbers 3:3 establishes the exclusive and divinely ordained nature of the Aaronic priesthood within ancient Israel. It specifically identifies Aaron's sons as the only individuals authorized to perform priestly duties. Their legitimacy stemmed from two key processes: anointing with holy oil and a unique consecration ceremony that imparted upon them the authority and responsibility for priestly service before the Lord. This verse acts as a foundational statement, setting apart this specific lineage for a sacred, lifelong role of ministering within the Tabernacle and, later, the Temple.
Numbers 3 3 Context
Numbers chapter 3 introduces a comprehensive census of the Levites, who were chosen to serve the priests and care for the Tabernacle. This verse specifically introduces the context for understanding who the priests were within the Levitical tribe. It is positioned shortly after the narrative of the Tabernacle's completion and the initial anointing and consecration ceremonies described in Exodus and Leviticus. The immediate historical context is Israel's wilderness wandering, where a precise divine order was critical for managing the portable sanctuary and maintaining ritual purity. This divine establishment of the priesthood served to affirm God's authority in religious matters, distinguishing the true priests, chosen and consecrated by Him, from any self-appointed or humanly chosen individuals. This strongly counters any polytheistic pagan practices common in surrounding cultures, where priests often derived their authority from tribal leaders or self-proclaimed spiritual prowess, rather than a clear divine decree and formal ordination process.
Numbers 3 3 Word analysis
- These: Points directly to the previously established individuals, Aaron's male descendants. This highlights the specific and limited scope of who is under consideration for priestly duties, rather than a broad selection.
- are the names: Emphasizes personal identity and specific lineage. In ancient Israelite culture, names carried significance and connected individuals to their ancestry and destiny. The mention of "names" here confirms the genealogical basis of the priesthood, rooted in divine appointment and not elective processes.
- of the sons of Aaron: Specifies the exclusive lineage for the priesthood. This was not a transferable role, nor was it open to just any Levite or Israelite. This highlights the hereditary nature, reinforcing God's chosen family for this sacred service, setting a boundary for the sacred office.
- the anointed (מָשַׁח, mashach): Literally "smeared" or "rubbed with oil." This term refers to the application of holy anointing oil, signifying divine selection, separation, and empowerment for a specific sacred purpose. It set them apart as holy and invested them with the authority for their sacred duties, distinct from secular roles. The oil represented the Holy Spirit.
- priests (כֹּהֵן, kohen): Refers to those who mediate between God and man, performing rituals, sacrifices, and instruction. This designates their functional role as ministers of the holy things, ensuring the proper worship and access to God for the Israelites.
- whom he consecrated (מִילֵא יָדָם, mille yadâm): Literally "filled their hand" or "filled their hands." This unique Hebrew idiom refers to the specific ordination ceremony (Leviticus 8:27-29) where portions of sacrifices were placed in their hands. This act symbolized their reception of authority and responsibility, officially commissioning them for their priestly office. It signifies a complete, formal induction into service, implying an irreversible divine appointment. It's more than just an anointing; it's the investiture of authority for the specific tasks.
- to minister: Denotes the active, continuous service. This emphasizes that the priesthood was not merely a title but involved constant, dedicated performance of duties related to the Tabernacle and its ordinances.
- in the office of priest: Defines the specific sphere of their service, reinforcing their unique role as authorized functionaries of God's sanctuary, including offering sacrifices, making atonement, blessing the people, and teaching God's law. This was a divine institution, not a human invention.
Numbers 3 3 Bonus section
The ritual of "filling the hand" (מִילֵא יָדָם, mille yadâm) for priestly consecration is highly significant. It represents not only the reception of sacrificial portions for offerings but also the symbolic filling of the priest's hands with authority and responsibility for service to the Lord. This phrase distinctly highlights a deeper, more formal investiture than simply anointing alone, underscoring that the office of priest was an appointed duty and sacred trust. This exclusivity was pivotal in Old Testament theology, creating a specific channel for divine interaction and a framework for maintaining holiness within the Israelite community. The purity and authorized status of the priest were paramount for acceptable worship, pointing to the need for ultimate purity and authorization found in Christ.
Numbers 3 3 Commentary
Numbers 3:3 concisely underscores the divinely established nature of the Israelite priesthood. It reveals that priestly authority did not arise from human aspiration or popular vote but from God's explicit command and an unchangeable lineage descending from Aaron. The emphasis on "anointed" signifies God's setting apart and empowering these individuals with spiritual authority, akin to kings and prophets also being anointed. The phrase "consecrated" or "filled their hand" details the specific ritual investiture of authority, distinct from merely being called; it was a physical act that conveyed spiritual endowment for sacred duties. This verse served as a powerful declaration of legitimacy, protecting the priesthood from corruption by unauthorized persons, a critical lesson illustrated tragically later by Korah's rebellion. Ultimately, this rigid, hereditary, and divinely consecrated priesthood points forward to Jesus Christ, the perfect and eternal High Priest, whose self-offering eternally "filled His hand" with the ultimate sacrifice, opening direct access to God for all believers.