Numbers 3:6

6 "Bring near the tribe of Levi, and {set the tribe} {before Aaron} the priest, and they will minister to him.

Numbers 3:6 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:6

Bring the tribe of Levi near
Separate them from the rest, set them apart for special service about, the sanctuary, let them have a place nearer to it than the other tribes, or offer them, that is, to the Lord, as in ( Numbers 8:11 ) ; as well as bring them near to Aaron; so it follows:

and present them before Aaron the priest;
that he may receive them as a gift unto him, as servants to wait upon him; and! that he may appoint and declare unto them their work, and set them about it:

that they may minister unto him;
in guarding the tabernacle taking care of the vessels of it, taking it down, carrying it, from place to place, and setting it up as there was occasion for it.

Numbers 3:6 In-Context

4 Nadab and Abihu died {before Yahweh} when they presented a strange fire {before Yahweh} in the desert of Sinai, and {they had no children}. Eleazar and Ithamar served as priest during the presence of Aaron their father.

5 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

6 "Bring near the tribe of Levi, and {set the tribe} {before Aaron} the priest, and they will minister to him.

7 They shall observe his duties and the duties of the entire community before the tent of assembly, to do the work of the tabernacle.

8 And they will keep all the vessels of the tent of assembly and the responsibilities of the {Israelites}, to do the work of the tabernacle.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "cause it to stand"
• [b] Literally "in the presence of Aaron"