Numbers 3 7

Numbers 3:7 kjv

And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.

Numbers 3:7 nkjv

And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle.

Numbers 3:7 niv

They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the tent of meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle.

Numbers 3:7 esv

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle.

Numbers 3:7 nlt

They will serve Aaron and the whole community, performing their sacred duties in and around the Tabernacle.

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 7 Meaning

This verse outlines a crucial aspect of the Levites' service: to meticulously carry out both the divinely given duties ("His charge") and the responsibilities related to the spiritual well-being of the entire Israelite community ("the charge of the whole congregation"). These duties were performed in the sacred vicinity of the Tabernacle of Meeting, specifically for the purpose of maintaining the holy service of the Tabernacle itself. This encompasses guarding its sanctity, attending to its components, and ensuring all tasks prescribed for its functioning were executed properly.

Numbers 3 7 Context

Numbers chapter 3 details the census and assignment of specific roles to the Levites. This verse introduces the primary function of the Levites, who were chosen by God in place of Israel's firstborn sons to serve at the Tabernacle. This was a direct command given to Moses to formalize the structured divine service. The chapter distinguishes the priestly line of Aaron (responsible for the altar and holy things) from the rest of the Levites, whose duties revolved around assisting the priests, transporting, assembling, disassembling, and guarding the Tabernacle components, as elaborated in Numbers 4. This divine arrangement ensured that only designated individuals handled the holy objects, thereby protecting the sanctity of God's dwelling and preventing accidental defilement or presumptuous acts by the wider congregation, which could incur divine wrath.

Numbers 3 7 Word analysis

• And they shall keep (וְשָׁמְרוּ - wěšāmrū): From the root שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning "to watch, guard, preserve, observe." This verb conveys diligence, responsibility, and faithfulness. It implies not just passively holding but actively maintaining and upholding the specified duties. The Levites were tasked with being vigilant guardians of the divine order.
• His charge (מִשְׁמֶרֶת לוֹ - mišmeret lô):
  • מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mišmeret): A derivative of shamar, meaning "a charge, custody, an office, duty." It refers to a specific, divinely imposed assignment or obligation.
  • לוֹ (lô): "to Him" or "His." This possessive emphasizes that the charge originates directly from God. It highlights the divine authority and sacred nature of their task. This charge concerns God's holiness and His specific requirements for the Tabernacle.
• and the charge (וּמִשְׁמֶרֶת - ûmišmeret): The repetition of mišmeret signals a dual aspect or emphasis on the comprehensive nature of their duty. It connects the divine command directly to its practical impact.
• of the whole congregation (כָּל הָעֵדָה - kāl hā‘ēdâ):
  • כָּל (kāl): "all, every, whole."
  • הָעֵדָה (hā‘ēdâ): "the congregation, the assembly." This signifies that the Levites' duty, while sacred and focused on the Tabernacle, was ultimately for the benefit and spiritual protection of the entire community of Israel. They served as a barrier and facilitators, ensuring proper access to God and preventing the congregation from inadvertently incurring wrath through unholy interaction with sacred space.
• before the tabernacle of meeting (לִפְנֵי אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - lip̄nē ’ōhel mô‘ēd):
  • לִפְנֵי (lip̄nē): "before, in the presence of." This specifies the location and immediate focus of their duties. Their work was intrinsically tied to the physical sacred structure.
  • אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (’ōhel mô‘ēd): "Tent of Meeting" or "Tabernacle of Meeting." This is the central dwelling place where God communed with Moses and where the covenant rituals were performed. Their service was precisely in relation to this divine abode.
• to do (לַעֲבֹד אֶת - la‘ăvōd ’eṯ): From the root עָבַד (‘āvaḏ), meaning "to serve, to work, to labor, to minister." This infinitive phrase denotes active performance and ministry. Their charge was not merely custodial but involved active, hands-on participation.
• the service (עֲבֹדַת - ‘ăvōdaṯ): A noun from the same root as "to do" (‘āvaḏ), referring to the actual work or ministry.
• of the tabernacle (הַמִּשְׁכָּן - hammiškan): מִשְׁכָּן (miškān): "dwelling place, tabernacle." This further defines the scope of their "service," reiterating that it concerned every aspect of the divine dwelling.

• "His charge and the charge of the whole congregation": This dual "charge" underscores the multifaceted responsibility. It signifies their duty both directly to God's holiness (guarding His commandments for the sanctuary) and indirectly for the congregation (ensuring they could approach God in a structured, safe manner without incurring judgment due to their own unholiness or negligence). Their protection of the Tabernacle's holiness also protected the congregation from divine wrath (Num 1:53; 8:19).
• "before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle": This phrase precisely defines the where and the what of the Levites' function. Their role was entirely centered on the holy space, not for their own glory or self-aggrandizement, but to facilitate the ongoing divine service and presence among Israel.

Numbers 3 7 Bonus section

The careful demarcation of roles for the Levites, as exemplified in this verse, stands in stark contrast to the religious practices of surrounding pagan nations. In many ancient Near Eastern cultures, priestly functions could sometimes be more fluid or inherited by various noble lines without such precise divine designation and internal checks. The highly ordered Levitical system, rooted in a specific tribe chosen by YHWH, was a clear theological statement against human attempts to arbitrarily control divine interaction or mimic cultic practices without divine sanction. Their distinct duties underscored God's sovereign right to determine how He is to be approached and served, emphasizing holiness, order, and mediated access for a covenant people. This system foreshadowed the ultimate and singular mediation of Christ, who perfectly fulfills the "charge" of God and ensures perfect access for the "congregation" of believers.

Numbers 3 7 Commentary

Numbers 3:7 succinctly captures the essence of the Levites' sacred calling: to be vigilant stewards of God's Tabernacle. This was a divinely mandated "charge," demanding absolute fidelity to God's instructions regarding His dwelling place. This charge encompassed a responsibility both directly to God (ensuring the sanctity of the sacred space and objects) and implicitly for the entire Israelite community. By meticulously guarding and ministering around the Tabernacle, the Levites acted as divinely appointed assistants to the Aaronic priesthood, thereby ensuring proper protocol and preventing any unauthorized or defiling approach that could bring judgment upon the people. Their continuous active "service" maintained the operational sanctity of the Tabernacle, which was the very locus of God's presence and Israel's atonement. It exemplified ordered worship, where specific roles ensured the maintenance of holiness and protected both the sacred and the profane.

• Practical usage: This verse illustrates the importance of defined roles and diligent execution within spiritual service, whether in an ancient tabernacle or a modern congregation, reminding believers of their call to "guard" or "keep" God's Word and their own service for His glory (e.g., in ministry, prayer, personal holiness), always for the benefit of the community and the reverence of God.