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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 18:7 But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/18-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/04_Num_18_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 18:7 - Duties of Priests and Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/18-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/18-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/18-6.htm" title="Numbers 18:6">◄</a> Numbers 18:7 <a href="/numbers/18-8.htm" title="Numbers 18:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/numbers/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/numbers/18.htm">New International Version</a> But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/numbers/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> But you and your sons, the priests, must personally handle all the priestly rituals associated with the altar and with everything behind the inner curtain. I am giving you the priesthood as your special privilege of service. Any unauthorized person who comes too near the sanctuary will be put to death.” <a href="/esv/numbers/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> And you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift, and any outsider who comes near shall be put to death.” <a href="/bsb/numbers/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.” <a href="/kjv/numbers/18.htm">King James Bible</a> Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. <a href="/nkjv/numbers/18.htm">New King James Version</a> Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.” <a href="/nasb_/numbers/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything that concerns the altar and inside the veil, and you are to perform service. I am giving you the priesthood as a service that is a gift, and the unauthorized person who comes near shall be put to death.” <a href="/nasb/numbers/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and inside the veil, and you are to perform service. I am giving you the priesthood as a bestowed service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/numbers/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and inside the veil, and you are to perform service. I am giving you the priesthood as a bestowed service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.” <a href="/lsb/numbers/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But you and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood in everything that concerns the altar and inside the veil, and you are to perform service. I am giving you the priesthood as a bestowed service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.” <a href="/amp/numbers/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar [of burnt offering and the altar of incense] and [of the Holy of Holies] within the veil, and you are to serve. I am giving you the priesthood as a bestowed service, but the stranger (outsider, layman) who approaches shall be put to death.” <a href="/csb/numbers/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But you and your sons will carry out your priestly responsibilities for everything concerning the altar and for what is inside the curtain, and you will do that work. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but an unauthorized person who comes near the sanctuary will be put to death.” <a href="/hcsb/numbers/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But you and your sons will carry out your priestly responsibilities for everything concerning the altar and for what is inside the veil, and you will do that work. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but an unauthorized person who comes near the sanctuary will be put to death.&#8221 <a href="/asv/numbers/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> And thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil; and ye shall serve: I give you the priesthood as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. <a href="/cev/numbers/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But only you and your sons can serve as priests at the altar and in the most holy place. Your work as priests is a gift from me, and anyone else who tries to do that work must be put to death. <a href="/erv/numbers/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> And thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priesthood for every thing of the altar, and for that within the veil; and ye shall serve: I give you the priesthood as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. <a href="/gwt/numbers/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Only you and your sons may do the work of priests-everything done at the altar and under the canopy. This is my gift to you: You may serve me as priests. Anyone else who comes near [the holy place to do this work] must die." <a href="/gnt/numbers/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> But you and your sons alone shall fulfill all the responsibilities of the priesthood that concern the altar and what is in the Most Holy Place. These things are your responsibility, because I have given you the gift of the priesthood. Any unqualified person who comes near the sacred objects shall be put to death." <a href="/isv/numbers/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now you and your sons with you are to maintain your priestly duties and all matters that concern the altar and what is housed within the veil. You are to perform these services. I'm giving you the priesthood as a gift of service, but any unauthorized person who approaches is to be put to death." <a href="/msb/numbers/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.? <a href="/net/numbers/18.htm">NET Bible</a> But you and your sons with you are responsible for your priestly duties, for everything at the altar and within the curtain. And you must serve. I give you the priesthood as a gift for service; but the unauthorized person who approaches must be put to death." <a href="/nheb/numbers/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> You and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for everything concerning the altar, and for that inside the veil; and you shall serve: I give you the priesthood as a service of gift: and the stranger who comes near shall be put to death." <a href="/wbt/numbers/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office to you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. <a href="/web/numbers/18.htm">World English Bible</a> You and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil. You shall serve. I give you the service of the priesthood as a gift. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/numbers/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and you and your sons with you keep your priesthood for everything of the altar and within the veil, and you have served; I make your priesthood a gift [for] service; and the stranger who is coming near is put to death.” <a href="/ylt/numbers/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and thou, and thy sons with thee, do keep your priesthood, for everything of the altar, and within the vail, and ye have served; a service of gift I make your priesthood; and the stranger who is coming near is put to death.' <a href="/slt/numbers/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And thou and thy sons with thee shall watch your priesthood for all the word of the altar, and to within the vail; and ye served: the services a gift I will give your priesthood; and the stranger coming near shall die.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/numbers/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But thou and thy sons look ye to the priesthood: and all things that pertain to the service of the altar, and that are within the veil, shall be executed by the priests. If any stranger shall approach, he shall be slain. <a href="/cpdv/numbers/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But as for you and your sons: guard the priesthood. For all that pertains to the service of the altar and of what is beyond the veil shall be exercised by the priests. If any outsider will approach, he shall be killed.” <a href="/nabre/numbers/18.htm">New American Bible</a> But you and your sons with you must take care to exercise your priesthood in whatever concerns the altar and the area within the veil. I give you your priesthood as a gift. Any unauthorized person who comes near shall be put to death. <a href="/nrsvce/numbers/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But you and your sons with you shall diligently perform your priestly duties in all that concerns the altar and the area behind the curtain. I give your priesthood as a gift; any outsider who approaches shall be put to death.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/numbers/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Therefore you and your sons with you shall keep your priest's office for everything of the altar and within the veil; and you shall serve; I have given your priest's office as a gift; and the stranger who comes near shall be put to death. <a href="/hpbt/numbers/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And you and your sons with you keep your priesthood and all its apparel of the altar and do the work inside the face of the door, the gift I have given to your priesthood; and the foreigner who comes near shall be killed.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/numbers/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priesthood in everything that pertaineth to the altar, and to that within the veil; and ye shall serve; I give you the priesthood as a service of gift; and the common man that draweth nigh shall be put to death.' <a href="/sep/numbers/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And thou and thy sons after thee shall keep up your priestly ministration, according to the whole manner of the altar, and that which is within the veil; and ye shall minister in the services as the office of your priesthood; and the stranger that comes near shall die. <a href="/parallel/numbers/18-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=5683" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/numbers/18.htm">Duties of Priests and Levites</a> …6Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting. 7<a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: wə·’at·tāh (Conj-w:: Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">But only you</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇā·ne·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">and your sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: tiš·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">shall attend</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3550.htm" title="3550: kə·hun·naṯ·ḵem (N-fsc:: 2mp) -- Priesthood. From kahan; priesthood.">to your priesthood</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">for everything</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇar (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">concerning</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: ham·miz·bê·aḥ (Art:: N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">the altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ū·lə·mib·bêṯ (Conj-w, Prep-l, Prep-m:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">and what is inside</a> <a href="/hebrew/6532.htm" title="6532: lap·pā·rō·ḵeṯ (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- A curtain. Feminine active participle of the same as perek; a separatrix, i.e. screen.">the veil,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">and you are to perform that service.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: ’et·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">I am giving</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5656.htm" title="5656: ‘ă·ḇō·ḏaṯ (N-fsc) -- Labor, service. Or mabowdah; from abad; work of any kind.">you the work</a> <a href="/hebrew/3550.htm" title="3550: kə·hun·naṯ·ḵem (N-fsc:: 2mp) -- Priesthood. From kahan; priesthood.">of the priesthood</a> <a href="/hebrew/4979.htm" title="4979: mat·tā·nāh (N-fs) -- A gift. Feminine of mattan; a present; specifically, a sacrificial offering, a bribe.">as a gift,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2114.htm" title="2114: wə·haz·zār (Conj-w, Art:: Adj-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn aside; hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically to commit adultery.">but any outsider</a> <a href="/hebrew/7131.htm" title="7131: haq·qā·rêḇ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Approaching. From qarab; near.">who comes near the sanctuary</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yū·māṯ (V-Hofal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">must be put to death.”</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hebrews/5-4.htm">Hebrews 5:4</a> No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. <a href="/exodus/28-1.htm">Exodus 28:1</a> “Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests. <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. <a href="/leviticus/10-8.htm">Leviticus 10:8-11</a> Then the LORD said to Aaron, / “You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come. / You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, ... <a href="/1_chronicles/23-13.htm">1 Chronicles 23:13</a> The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever. <a href="/hebrews/7-23.htm">Hebrews 7:23-28</a> Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. / But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. / Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. ... <a href="/exodus/29-9.htm">Exodus 29:9</a> Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you are to ordain Aaron and his sons. <a href="/1_samuel/2-28.htm">1 Samuel 2:28</a> And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites. <a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Hebrews 9:6-7</a> When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. <a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Deuteronomy 10:8</a> At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. <a href="/2_chronicles/26-18.htm">2 Chronicles 26:18</a> They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.” <a href="/leviticus/16-32.htm">Leviticus 16:32-33</a> The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments / and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly. <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a> Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” <a href="/2_corinthians/5-18.htm">2 Corinthians 5:18-20</a> All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: / that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. / Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. <a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4-7</a> Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. / True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Therefore you and your sons with you shall keep your priest's office for everything of the altar, and within the veil; and you shall serve: I have given your priest's office to you as a service of gift: and the stranger that comes near shall be put to death.Therefore thou.<a href="/numbers/18-5.htm">Numbers 18:5</a> And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.<a href="/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10</a> And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.within<a href="/leviticus/16-2.htm">Leviticus 16:2,12-14</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat… <a href="/hebrews/9-3.htm">Hebrews 9:3-6</a> And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; … as a service<a href="/numbers/16-5.htm">Numbers 16:5-7</a> And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him… <a href="/1_samuel/2-28.htm">1 Samuel 2:28</a> And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?<a href="/john/3-27.htm">John 3:27</a> John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.the stranger<a href="/numbers/18-4.htm">Numbers 18:4</a> And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.<a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">Numbers 3:38</a> 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.<a href="/numbers/16-40.htm">Numbers 16:40</a> To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/18-5.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/numbers/18-5.htm">Attend</a> <a href="/1_john/3-1.htm">Bestowed</a> <a href="/numbers/18-4.htm">Common</a> <a href="/numbers/18-3.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/3-10.htm">Draweth</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-23.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/numbers/18-4.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/numbers/4-16.htm">Office</a> <a href="/numbers/18-6.htm">Perform</a> <a href="/numbers/8-24.htm">Pertaineth</a> <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">Priesthood</a> <a href="/numbers/5-8.htm">Priest's</a> <a href="/numbers/18-2.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/numbers/18-6.htm">Service</a> <a href="/numbers/18-4.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/numbers/4-26.htm">Vail</a> <a href="/numbers/4-5.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/18-17.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-29.htm">Attend</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-32.htm">Bestowed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-30.htm">Common</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-11.htm">Draweth</a> <a href="/numbers/34-2.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-6.htm">Office</a> <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Perform</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-5.htm">Pertaineth</a> <a href="/numbers/25-13.htm">Priesthood</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-6.htm">Priest's</a> <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Service</a> <a href="/numbers/19-10.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/ruth/3-15.htm">Vail</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-14.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/numbers/30-3.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 18</div>1. <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">The charge of the priests and Levites</a> 8. <a href="/numbers/18-8.htm">The priests, portion</a> 21. <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">The Levites,</a> 25. <a href="/numbers/18-25.htm">The heave offering to the priests out of the Levites' portion</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood This phrase establishes the exclusive nature of the Aaronic priesthood. Aaron and his descendants were chosen by God to serve as priests, a role that was not open to others. This exclusivity underscores the holiness and separation required for those who serve directly in God's presence. The priesthood is a hereditary office, passed down through Aaron's lineage, emphasizing the importance of family and lineage in Israelite society. This also foreshadows the New Testament concept of Jesus as our High Priest, who fulfills and surpasses the Aaronic priesthood (<a href="/hebrews/4-14.htm">Hebrews 4:14-16</a>).for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil The altar and the veil are central elements of the tabernacle, representing the means of atonement and the separation between God and humanity. The altar is where sacrifices were made, symbolizing the need for atonement and reconciliation with God. The veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, signifying the holiness of God and the barrier sin creates between God and man. In the New Testament, the tearing of the veil at Jesus' crucifixion (<a href="/matthew/27-51.htm">Matthew 27:51</a>) signifies the removal of this barrier, granting believers direct access to God through Christ.and you are to perform that service This phrase highlights the active role of the priests in the worship and sacrificial system. The service of the priests was not just a privilege but a duty, requiring diligence and obedience. This service included offering sacrifices, maintaining the tabernacle, and teaching the people God's laws. It reflects the broader biblical theme of service to God as an act of worship and obedience, which is echoed in the New Testament call for believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices (<a href="/romans/12.htm">Romans 12:1</a>).I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift The priesthood is described as a gift from God, emphasizing that it is not earned or deserved but granted by divine grace. This gift comes with responsibilities and privileges, highlighting the concept of stewardship. The idea of the priesthood as a gift also points to the grace of God in choosing and equipping individuals for His service. In the New Testament, the concept of spiritual gifts given to believers for the edification of the church (<a href="/1_corinthians/12-4.htm">1 Corinthians 12:4-11</a>) parallels this idea.but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death. This severe warning underscores the holiness of God and the sanctity of the tabernacle. Only those consecrated and appointed by God could approach the sacred space, reflecting the seriousness of sin and the need for purity in worship. This restriction highlights the separation between the holy and the common, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the concept of holiness is expanded, with all believers called to be a royal priesthood (<a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a>), yet the reverence for God's holiness remains paramount.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a> The first high priest of Israel, chosen by God to lead the priestly duties and serve as a mediator between God and the Israelites. 2. <a href="/topical/a/aaron's_sons.htm">Aaron's Sons</a> The descendants of Aaron who were also appointed to serve as priests, continuing the priestly lineage. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a> A sacred place where sacrifices and offerings were made to God, central to the worship practices of Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_veil.htm">The Veil</a> The curtain in the Tabernacle that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, symbolizing the separation between God and humanity. 5. <a href="/topical/u/unauthorized_person.htm">Unauthorized Person</a> Anyone not appointed by God to perform priestly duties, highlighting the importance of divine appointment and order.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_appointment_and_order.htm">Divine Appointment and Order</a> God establishes specific roles and responsibilities within His community. Recognizing and respecting these roles is crucial for maintaining order and holiness. <a href="/topical/t/the_gift_of_service.htm">The Gift of Service</a> The priesthood is described as a gift, emphasizing that serving God and His people is a privilege and responsibility, not a right. <a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_holiness.htm">The Seriousness of Holiness</a> Approaching God requires reverence and obedience to His commands. Unauthorized approaches signify a lack of respect for God's holiness and order. <a href="/topical/c/christ_as_our_high_priest.htm">Christ as Our High Priest</a> Jesus fulfills the role of the ultimate high priest, granting believers direct access to God. This shifts the focus from a select group to the priesthood of all believers. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_sacred.htm">Guarding the Sacred</a> Just as the priests were to guard the sacred duties, believers today are called to guard their hearts and lives, ensuring they align with God's will and purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 18</a> <a href="/q/how_does_neh._6_10-13_align_with_sacred_laws.htm">How does the temple-advice incident in Nehemiah 6:10–13 align with other biblical laws forbidding unauthorized entry into sacred spaces? </a> <a href="/q/why_did_saul_sacrifice_early.htm">Why did Saul sacrifice without waiting for Samuel?</a> <a href="/q/what_supports_nehemiah's_claim_in_6_12.htm">In Nehemiah 6:12, what historical or textual basis supports Nehemiah’s claim that God revealed the prophet’s deception? </a> <a href="/q/how_did_nomads_manage_vast_wealth.htm">Numbers 7:85-88: How did a nomadic community manage the massive total of precious metals and livestock described in these verses?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) And within the vail.--i.e., the vail which separated the holy place from the most holy. The word which is employed in this place (parocheth) is used only of the second vail. (See <a href="/leviticus/16-12.htm" title="And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:">Leviticus 16:12</a>.) When the outer vail or hanging is designed to be understood, the word used is masak. The reference appears to be to the whole of the priestly duties which were discharged by Aaron and his sons, from those connected with the altar of burnt offering to those which were performed in the most holy place.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - Shall keep your priests' office for everything of the altar, and within the vail. That the Levites were made over to Aaron and his sons to relieve them of a great part of the mere routine and drudgery of their service was to be with them an additional and powerful motive for doing their priestly work so reverently and watchfully as to leave no excuse for sacrilegious intrusion. The altar (of burnt offering) and "that within the vail (cf. <a href="/hebrews/6-19.htm">Hebrews 6:19</a>) were the two points between which the exclusive duties of the priesthood lay, including the service of the holy place. A service of gift. A service which was not to be regarded as a burden, or a misfortune, or as a natural heritage and accident of birth, but to be received and cherished as a favour accorded to them by the goodness of God. <a href="/commentaries/numbers/18-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But only you וְאַתָּ֣ה (wə·’at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you and your sons וּבָנֶ֣יךָ (ū·ḇā·ne·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son shall attend תִּשְׁמְר֨וּ (tiš·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to to your priesthood כְּהֻנַּתְכֶ֜ם (kə·hun·naṯ·ḵem) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3550.htm">Strong's 3550: </a> Priesthood for everything לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every concerning דְּבַ֧ר (də·ḇar) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause the altar, הַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> An altar and for what is inside וּלְמִבֵּ֥ית (ū·lə·mib·bêṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house the veil, לַפָּרֹ֖כֶת (lap·pā·rō·ḵeṯ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6532.htm">Strong's 6532: </a> A separatrix, screen and you are to perform that service. וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֑ם (wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave I am giving אֶתֵּן֙ (’et·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set you the work עֲבֹדַ֣ת (‘ă·ḇō·ḏaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5656.htm">Strong's 5656: </a> Work of any kind of the priesthood כְּהֻנַּתְכֶ֔ם (kə·hun·naṯ·ḵem) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3550.htm">Strong's 3550: </a> Priesthood as a gift, מַתָּנָ֗ה (mat·tā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4979.htm">Strong's 4979: </a> A present, a sacrificial offering, a bribe but any outsider וְהַזָּ֥ר (wə·haz·zār) Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2114.htm">Strong's 2114: </a> To turn aside, to be a, foreigner, strange, profane, to commit adultery who comes near [the sanctuary] הַקָּרֵ֖ב (haq·qā·rêḇ) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> To come near, approach must be put to death.” יוּמָֽת׃ (yū·māṯ) Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/numbers/18-7.htm">OT Law: Numbers 18:7 You and your sons with you shall (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/18-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 18:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 18:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/18-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 18:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 18:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>