Numbers 3:32 kjv
And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
Numbers 3:32 nkjv
And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the leaders of the Levites, with oversight of those who kept charge of the sanctuary.
Numbers 3:32 niv
The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.
Numbers 3:32 esv
And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the chiefs of the Levites, and to have oversight of those who kept guard over the sanctuary.
Numbers 3:32 nlt
Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, was the chief administrator over all the Levites, with special responsibility for the oversight of the sanctuary.
Numbers 3 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:9 | "And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel." | Levites given to Aaron for service. |
| Num 4:16 | "And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertained the oil for the light, and the sweet incense..." | Eleazar's specific duties concerning Tabernacle items. |
| Num 20:28 | "...and put them upon Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there in the top of the mount..." | Eleazar succeeds Aaron as High Priest. |
| Num 27:21 | "And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD." | Eleazar as conduit for divine guidance. |
| Josh 14:1 | "And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua..." | Eleazar's role in land distribution. |
| 1 Chr 6:3-4 | "...and Eleazar, and Ithamar, and Nadab, and Abihu... Aaron’s sons; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son..." | Lineage of High Priests through Eleazar. |
| 1 Chr 24:1-3 | "Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron... Eleazar and Ithamar... the priests were divided." | Eleazar's descendants formed priestly divisions. |
| Lev 10:1-5 | "And Nadab and Abihu... offered strange fire... Eleazar and Ithamar, they carried them out..." | Eleazar's faithfulness compared to brothers. |
| Num 1:53 | "But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation..." | Levites' duty to guard Tabernacle. |
| Num 4:1-49 | "Take the sum of the sons of Kohath... Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief..." | Detailed duties of Kohathites under Eleazar. |
| Num 8:19 | "And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle..." | Levites are given to priests for service. |
| Deut 10:8 | "At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD..." | Levites set apart for sacred service. |
| 1 Chr 23:24-32 | "These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers... to minister..." | Levitical roles in David's time. |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | "...how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God..." | Order in God's spiritual house. |
| Heb 5:1-4 | "For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God..." | Role of High Priest in mediating. |
| Heb 8:1-2 | "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne..." | Christ as our High Priest over the true sanctuary. |
| Exod 30:16 | "And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel... for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation..." | Resources for Tabernacle service. |
| 1 Cor 12:28 | "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles..." | God establishes order and leadership. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." | Principle of established authority. |
| Isa 6:1-4 | "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up..." | Vision of God's holy sanctuary (heavenly temple). |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people..." | God's ultimate dwelling with His people. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints..." | Leadership for equipping God's people. |
Numbers 3 verses
Numbers 3 32 Meaning
Numbers 3:32 details the specific supervisory role of Eleazar, Aaron's son, within the Levitical organization. He was appointed as the supreme leader over all the chiefs of the Levites, bearing direct responsibility for the oversight and administration of those Levites whose duty it was to maintain the Tabernacle and its sacred components. This established a clear hierarchy, positioning Eleazar as the chief administrator of the Tabernacle's operation and guarding its holiness, serving under the High Priest.
Numbers 3 32 Context
Numbers Chapter 3 focuses on the detailed numbering and organization of the Levites, who were chosen to serve the Tabernacle in place of the firstborn of Israel. Each Levitical family (Gershonites, Kohathites, Merarites) was assigned specific duties related to carrying and maintaining the Tabernacle's components. This precise division of labor underscored the holiness of God and the strict requirements for approaching His presence. Verse 32 specifically delineates Eleazar's elevated position as the overarching supervisor of all these Levitical leaders, emphasizing the hierarchical structure of Tabernacle service under the priesthood, which originated with his father, Aaron, the High Priest. Historically, this divine ordering was critical for the functioning of the wilderness tabernacle, ensuring that all tasks related to the sacred dwelling were carried out correctly and without offense to a holy God, in contrast to the more fluid and often idolatrous worship practices of surrounding pagan nations.
Numbers 3 32 Word analysis
- And (וְ / ve): Connects this verse to the preceding context of the Levitical census and family responsibilities, indicating a continuation of the administrative details.
- Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָר / 'El'azar): "God has helped." He was Aaron's third son. Significant as the one designated to succeed Aaron as High Priest, emphasizing a lineage and divine appointment.
- the son of Aaron (בֶּן־אַהֲרֹן / ben-’Aharon): Identifies his direct priestly lineage. Aaron was the first High Priest, establishing the line.
- the priest (הַכֹּהֵן / ha-Kohen): Specifically identifies his office and divine calling, which set him apart with unique authority and access to God's presence. The High Priest role implies unique sanctity and direct intercession.
- was chief (נְשִׂיא / nesi’): More accurately, "prince" or "leader." This term denotes a head or elevated status, indicating administrative authority rather than just a foreman. It implies responsibility over others who are also leaders.
- over the chiefs (נְשִׂיאֵי / nesiy'ey) of the Levites (הַלְוִיִּם / ha-Lewiyyim): This emphasizes a chain of command. Eleazar was above all the other designated leaders of the Levitical families (Gershonites, Kohathites, Merarites), signifying a supreme administrative role among them. The Levites were God's consecrated tribe for sanctuary service.
- and had the oversight (פְקֻדַּת / pequddath): Derived from the root פָּקַד (paqad), meaning to visit, number, appoint, or attend to. In this context, it implies direct supervision, visitation, accountability, and the authority to ensure correct execution of duties. It's a comprehensive charge of management and care.
- of them that kept the charge (מִשְׁמֶרֶת / mishmereth): Refers to the "keeping," "guarding," or "duty" of something precious or important. It highlights the serious responsibility entrusted to the Levites, demanding precision and vigilance. It encompasses the protection and execution of holy service.
- of the sanctuary (הַקֹּדֶשׁ / ha-Qodesh): Refers to "the holy thing" or "the sanctuary" itself (the Tabernacle). This signifies that Eleazar's ultimate responsibility was to ensure the sanctity and proper handling of all aspects related to God's dwelling place. The Tabernacle was the physical manifestation of God's presence among Israel, demanding ultimate reverence and adherence to divine law.
Numbers 3 32 Bonus section
This verse subtly reinforces the distinction between the priesthood (Aaron's sons) and the general Levites. While Levites perform vital services, the priestly family, specifically the High Priest's line, holds ultimate authority and oversight. This was a direct counterpoint to any potential human tendency to blur lines or assume roles not divinely appointed, a theme tragically illustrated earlier by Nadab and Abihu. Eleazar's later inheritance of the High Priesthood upon Aaron's death (Num 20:28) shows this verse to be a prophetic indication of his enduring importance in Israel's religious life, a constant witness to God's ordained leadership and His exacting standards for worship. His supervision extends to even the most minute details of the Tabernacle's care, signifying that no aspect of serving God is too small to be governed by divine order.
Numbers 3 32 Commentary
Numbers 3:32 is a pivotal verse illustrating the meticulous divine ordering of the wilderness Tabernacle's service. It places Eleazar, son of Aaron, at the apex of the Levitical administration, establishing a direct hierarchical link from the High Priest to the working Levites. His role was not merely advisory but supervisory, demanding a proactive pequddath (oversight/visitation) to ensure that the sacred mishmereth (charge/duty) of the sanctuary was performed with utmost precision and reverence. This comprehensive administrative structure ensured the sanctity of God's dwelling place and protected the community from divine wrath (Num 1:53). This system emphasized accountability, divine appointment over personal ambition, and the crucial nature of maintaining order in worship, principles that find resonance in the administration of God's people throughout salvation history, pointing to the importance of proper leadership and care in His house.