Numbers 3 38

Numbers 3:38 kjv

But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Numbers 3:38 nkjv

Moreover those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tabernacle of meeting, were Moses, Aaron, and his sons, keeping charge of the sanctuary, to meet the needs of the children of Israel; but the outsider who came near was to be put to death.

Numbers 3:38 niv

Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the tent of meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.

Numbers 3:38 esv

Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, guarding the sanctuary itself, to protect the people of Israel. And any outsider who came near was to be put to death.

Numbers 3:38 nlt

The area in front of the Tabernacle, in the east toward the sunrise, was reserved for the tents of Moses and of Aaron and his sons, who had the final responsibility for the sanctuary on behalf of the people of Israel. Anyone other than a priest or Levite who went too near the sanctuary was to be put to death.

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 38 Meaning

Numbers 3:38 outlines the specific location and duties of Moses, Aaron, and his sons within the Levitical encampment. They were uniquely positioned directly to the east of the Tabernacle, before the Tent of Meeting, signifying their role as primary custodians of the sacred space. Their responsibility encompassed all sacred duties on behalf of the Israelites. The verse also states a severe boundary: any unauthorized individual approaching the sanctuary was to be put to death, underscoring the extreme holiness of God's presence and the strict requirements for His service.

Numbers 3 38 Context

Numbers chapter 3 details the census of the Levites, distinct from the military census of the other tribes. It meticulously outlines their tribal divisions (Gershonites, Kohathites, Merarites), their respective ages for service, and their specific responsibilities regarding the Tabernacle's components, which they were tasked to dismantle, carry, and reassemble during the Israelites' wilderness journey. The chapter also assigns them their precise positions around the Tabernacle when the camp was set up, reinforcing the highly ordered nature of the Israelite community around God's dwelling. This structured arrangement reflected the sacredness of God's presence at the center and the need for designated roles to maintain the Tabernacle's integrity and prevent defilement. Verse 38 specifically concludes this detailed enumeration of Levitical duties and positions by focusing on the supreme leadership: Moses, Aaron, and his sons. They are given the most prominent position, signifying their unparalleled authority and proximity to God's presence, highlighting the exclusive nature of their mediatorial role between God and Israel. This precise ordering served to prevent the very chaos and unauthorized access that led to previous judgments in Israel's history, establishing clear boundaries of holiness and service.

Numbers 3 38 Word analysis

• But (וְ): Connects this verse as an addition or slight distinction from the preceding assignment of the three main Levite families. It sets apart the unique role and position of Moses and the Aaronic priesthood.

• those who were to encamp (הַחֹנִים, haḥonim): From the root חנה (chanah), meaning to pitch a tent, encamp, or settle. It implies a fixed, appointed position in the wilderness camp, emphasizing divine order.

• before the tabernacle (לִפְנֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן, lifnei hamishkan): Literally "to the face of the dwelling." Signifies direct proximity and oversight, underscoring their guardianship of the sanctuary. The "tabernacle" (mishkan) is God's dwelling place, implying extreme holiness.

• on the east (קֵדְמָה, qedmah): Eastward. This direction often holds significance in scripture. The Tabernacle's entrance faced east, indicating this was the primary and most accessible (though still restricted) side, where the High Priest would enter on Yom Kippur. This prominence positions Moses and Aaron as the first line of access and defense. East of Eden was where God placed guardians; here, east of the Tabernacle are the guardians.

• before the tent of meeting (לִפְנֵי אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, lifnei ohel mo'ed): The "tent of meeting" emphasizes it as the divinely appointed place where God would "meet" with Moses and where the people's worship and sacrifice would occur. This highlights their access to divine communication and ritual.

• toward the sunrise (מִזְרָחָה, mizraḥah): Reinforces "on the east," pointing towards the rising sun, symbolizing new beginnings, God's direction, or a significant gateway.

• were Moses and Aaron and his sons: Specifies the individuals appointed to this unique, central, and protected position. Moses as the prophet and leader, and Aaron and his sons as the ordained high priestly family, signifying the intertwining of civil/spiritual leadership for Israel.

• performing the duties of the sanctuary (שֹׁמְרֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ, shomrei mishmeret haqqodesh): "Keeping the charge/duty of the holiness/sanctuary." This signifies active, watchful guardianship of the holy objects, rituals, and purity of the sacred space itself, a weighty responsibility.

• whatever duties were owed by the people of Israel: Indicates the comprehensiveness of their priestly functions; they were to carry out all services, sacrifices, and rites necessary for the people to rightly relate to God, acting as mediators and intercessors on their behalf.

• and any outsider who came near: An "outsider" (זָר, zar) is someone not designated for priestly or Levitical service in the Tabernacle. This refers to a common Israelite, or anyone not part of the specifically consecrated groups, entering the designated forbidden areas.

• was to be put to death (יוּמָת, yumat): The Hophal (passive, causative) stem of מוּת (mut), meaning "to die." It signifies a sure, divinely decreed death sentence. This severe consequence underscores God's absolute holiness, the strict requirements for approaching Him, and the protective boundary around His presence. This also served as a polemic against common Near Eastern practices where deities might be casually approached or syncretistically integrated into worship. It affirmed YHWH's uniqueness and untouchable transcendence.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "But those who were to encamp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise": This lengthy description pinpoints the exact, divinely ordained physical location of the leaders. It highlights not just a spatial assignment, but a sacred one, reflecting the utmost importance of proximity and orientation to God's dwelling place. The repeated mention of "before" and "east/sunrise" emphasizes precision and divine command in setting up the holy order.
  • "were Moses and Aaron and his sons": This establishes the exclusive, appointed personnel. It underscores the concept of chosen, consecrated leadership. Moses, the lawgiver and prophet; Aaron and his sons, the priestly lineage. Their presence here is fundamental to maintaining the sacred order.
  • "performing the duties of the sanctuary, whatever duties were owed by the people of Israel": This phrase details the breadth and nature of their primary function. It's not just about guarding the place but about actively facilitating the entire nation's spiritual life and worship through the prescribed rituals. It signifies mediation and responsibility for the holy interface between God and man.
  • "and any outsider who came near was to be put to death": This forms a strict and clear prohibition, defining the severe boundaries of the holy. It emphasizes God's inaccessible holiness to the profane, establishing a fearsome deterrent. This stricture ensures reverence, prevents casual approach, and underscores the vital necessity of atonement and priesthood as the sole avenues of approach.

Numbers 3 38 Bonus section

The eastern side was symbolically significant. The entrance to the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) was always on the east. This positioning might subtly allude to humanity's original expulsion from the Garden of Eden, which also had cherubim guarding its east (Gen 3:24), signifying a continued barrier to divine presence after sin. Thus, Moses, Aaron, and his sons at the east were essentially the 'gatekeepers' protecting access, emphasizing the severe consequences of violating this boundary. Their role foreshadowed Christ's role as the "door" (Jn 10:7) and the ultimate High Priest, who broke down the barrier, granting believers bold access to God (Heb 10:19-20). The structured encampment not only provided order but physically manifested God's covenant relationship with His people—He dwells in their midst, but access is carefully controlled by His holy standards.

Numbers 3 38 Commentary

Numbers 3:38 provides a crucial detail in the divinely orchestrated setup of the Israelite camp around the Tabernacle, underscoring fundamental theological truths. The precise eastward positioning of Moses, Aaron, and his sons signifies their supreme role as both administrators and guardians of the divine presence. This specific location, aligned with the Tabernacle's entrance, symbolized their direct responsibility for managing access and ensuring the sanctity of the Holy of Holies. Their duties encompassed the entirety of priestly service required for the nation of Israel, illustrating their indispensable mediatorial function.

The severe warning against any "outsider" approaching on penalty of death highlights the absolute holiness of God and the rigid separation between the sacred and the common, life and death. This was not arbitrary punishment, but a direct consequence of violating the divine order established to protect God's glory and prevent His people from being consumed by His perfect righteousness. It served as a stark reminder that drawing near to God required a specific, appointed way and purified personnel, demonstrating humanity's unworthiness apart from divine provision. In this way, the verse vividly illustrates the inaccessibility of God under the Old Covenant, preparing the way for understanding the greater access and open invitation offered through the singular and sufficient sacrifice and high priesthood of Jesus Christ, who through His blood has removed the barrier of death for those who approach in faith.