Numbers 4 19

Numbers 4:19 kjv

But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden:

Numbers 4:19 nkjv

but do this in regard to them, that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint each of them to his service and his task.

Numbers 4:19 niv

So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.

Numbers 4:19 esv

but deal thus with them, that they may live and not die when they come near to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint them each to his task and to his burden,

Numbers 4:19 nlt

This is what you must do so they will live and not die when they approach the most sacred objects. Aaron and his sons must always go in with them and assign a specific duty or load to each person.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 19 Meaning

Numbers 4:19 outlines the critical command from the Lord concerning the Kohathites' handling of the sacred tabernacle furnishings during Israel's wilderness journey. The instruction dictates specific procedures for Aaron and his sons to perform before the Kohathites approach these items. This divinely prescribed method ensures that the Kohathites can execute their duties without incurring divine judgment, allowing them to "live and not die." The verse underscores the profound holiness of God and His consecrated objects, emphasizing the necessity of absolute obedience and reverence when approaching anything associated with His divine presence, as even indirect contact with unmediated holiness would be lethal.

Numbers 4 19 Context

Numbers chapter 4 details the specific duties of the Levites, categorized by their family clans: the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites. The immediate context of verse 19 falls within the instructions for the Kohathites (vv. 4-20), who were uniquely responsible for carrying the tabernacle's most sacred articles—the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, the Altars, and the various vessels used in the Most Holy Place and Holy Place.

These regulations were given at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites had experienced the awe-inspiring manifestation of God's holiness. Having just received the Mosaic Law and the blueprint for the tabernacle, these instructions reinforced the sanctity of God's dwelling place and the absolute purity required in His service. The procedures ensured order and maintained the separation between the holy and the common, protecting both the sanctity of God and the lives of those serving Him. The chapter's emphasis is on precise, divine arrangement for sacred service, demonstrating God's sovereign control and meticulous attention to how He is to be approached.

Numbers 4 19 Word analysis

• But thus do to them: This phrase is crucial. "Thus" refers to the specific actions Aaron and his sons must perform first (described in Num 4:5-15) by covering all the holy objects. This is an imperative command, outlining the preventative measures required to avert tragedy. It signifies God's provision for life, rather than merely stating a prohibition that would lead to death. The structure indicates a divine solution offered for a deadly problem.
• that they may live, and not die: This expression highlights the severe consequence of deviation from divine protocol—death. Conversely, it promises life as the direct outcome of obedience. It underscores God's valuing of human life even in the face of His overwhelming holiness. The choice presented is stark: divine preservation or divine judgment. This theme is pervasive in the Mosaic Law, where obedience to God's commands often results in life and blessing, while disobedience leads to curses and death.
• when they approach: The Hebrew word for "approach" is qārab (קָרַב), meaning to come near, draw close, or present oneself. This word implies that the danger isn't merely in touching but in simply coming near these exceptionally holy items without the divinely ordained coverings applied by the priests. The very proximity to God's holiness, unmediated, is lethal. This underscores the intense power and sanctity emanating from the articles.
• the most holy things: The Hebrew is qōḏeš haqqoḏāšîm (קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים), literally "holiness of holinesses" or "holy of holies." This superlative construction emphasizes the supreme sanctity and untouchability of these objects (e.g., Ark of the Covenant, Table of Showbread, Golden Altar, Lampstand). They are set apart from all common things and embody God's intrinsic holiness. For the original audience, this designation would evoke ultimate reverence and a clear understanding of the sacred-profane divide. This designation also stood as a polemic against pagan practices, where cult objects were often extensions of human manipulation; here, the divine objects possessed an inherent, lethal holiness only God could mediate.

Numbers 4 19 Bonus section

The profound reverence for "the most holy things" in Numbers 4:19 reflects a core theological principle: the qualitative difference between the Creator and creation. The objects within the tabernacle were holy not due to their inherent material but because they were dedicated to and infused with God's presence, making them conduits and symbols of His absolute purity. This strict separation and the grave consequences for unauthorized access served to imprint upon the Israelites the awesome nature of the Holy One of Israel, training them in a reverential fear essential for true worship. This principle continues to resonate throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Covenant where access to God's "most holy place" is granted not through careful physical protocols or objects, but through the perfect sacrifice and eternal High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. While the manner of access changes, the underlying holiness of God and the necessity of proper approach remain immutable truths for the believer today, leading to worship offered "with reverence and awe" (Heb 12:28).

Numbers 4 19 Commentary

Numbers 4:19 stands as a pivotal verse, articulating God's solemn decree for protecting the lives of the Kohathites. It reflects the fundamental biblical truth of God's absolute holiness, which necessitates careful, divinely prescribed access for humanity. The specific measures of priestly covering for the tabernacle items (recounted in prior verses) were not arbitrary rituals but acts of divine grace designed to create a buffer between mortal man and the awesome, consuming holiness of God. The instruction "that they may live, and not die" powerfully demonstrates that God, though holy and demanding, is also a God who provides means for His people to serve Him safely. Without this divine provision and the mediating actions of Aaron and his sons, even dedicated service would lead to certain death, echoing the tragic lessons from Nadab and Abihu, and Uzzah. This foreshadows the ultimate need for a High Priest and a final sacrifice, enabling true and lasting access to God's presence, rather than temporary, ceremonial and life-preserving proximity. It emphasizes that while humanity must serve God, that service must be on His terms, rooted in humility, obedience, and reverence for His inherent nature.