Numbers 18:4

4 They shall join you, and attend to the tent of meeting, for all the service of the tent; and no one else shall come near you.

Numbers 18:4 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 18:4

And they shall be joined unto thee
As assistants in the sacred service: and keep the charge of tabernacle of the congregation, for all the
service of the tabernacle; (See Gill on Numbers 3:7) and (See Gill on Numbers 3:8); and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you;
not any of the other tribes, only such as were of the tribe of Levi; they only were to be brought with them, and joined unto them, and assist them, and minister to them, as in ( Numbers 18:2 ) ; though the Jews F8 understand by a stranger anyone that was not a priest.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 Maimon. in Misn. Zebachim, c. 2. sect. 1.

Numbers 18:4 In-Context

2 And with you bring your brethren also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you, and minister to you while you and your sons with you are before the tent of the testimony.
3 They shall attend you and attend to all duties of the tent; but shall not come near to the vessels of the sanctuary or to the altar, lest they, and you, die.
4 They shall join you, and attend to the tent of meeting, for all the service of the tent; and no one else shall come near you.
5 And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, that there be wrath no more upon the people of Israel.
6 And behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the people of Israel; they are a gift to you, given to the LORD, to do the service of the tent of meeting.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.