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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 3:10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/3-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/04_Num_03_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 3:10 - The Duties of the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle 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/3-10.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/3-10.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/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 10</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="/ad10.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/3-9.htm" title="Numbers 3:9">◄</a> Numbers 3:10 <a href="/numbers/3-11.htm" title="Numbers 3:11">►</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"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood. But any unauthorized person who goes too near the sanctuary must be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood; but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons that they may keep their priesthood, but the layman who comes near shall be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons that they may keep their priesthood, but the layman who comes near shall be put to death.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons that they may keep their priesthood, but the layman who comes near shall be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons that they may keep their priesthood, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall observe <i>and</i> attend to their priesthood; but the layman (non-Levite) who approaches [the holy things] shall be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are to appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out their priestly responsibilities, but any unauthorized person who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are to appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out their priestly responsibilities, but any unauthorized person who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />who have been appointed to be priests. Anyone else who tries to perform the duties of a priest must be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. Anyone else who tries to do the priests' duties must be put to death."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; anyone else who tries to do so shall be put to death." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Appoint Aaron and his sons so that they are to take responsibility for their priesthood. Any unauthorized person who approaches it is to be put to death."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So you are to appoint Aaron and his sons, and they will be responsible for their priesthood; but the unauthorized person who comes near must be put to death." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood; but the unauthorized person who comes near shall be put to death."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood, but the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you appoint Aaron and his sons, and they have kept their priesthood, and the stranger who comes near is put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And Aaron and his sons thou dost appoint, and they have kept their priesthood, and the stranger who cometh near is put to death.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Aaron and his sons thou shalt set up, and they shall watch their priesthood; and the stranger coming near shall die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />To Aaron and to his sons, to whom they are delivered by the children of Israel. But thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons over the service of priesthood. The stranger that approacheth to minister, shall be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But you shall appoint Aaron and his sons over the service of priesthood. The outsider who approaches to minister shall be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But you will appoint only Aaron and his descendants to exercise the priesthood. Any unauthorized person who comes near shall be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But you shall make a register of Aaron and his descendants; it is they who shall attend to the priesthood, and any outsider who comes near shall be put to death.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office; and the stranger that comes near shall be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And command Ahron and his sons and they shall keep their Priesthood, and the foreigner who comes near to them will be killed.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, that they may keep their priesthood; and the common man that draweth nigh shall be put to death.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons over the tabernacle of witness; and they shall keep their charge of priesthood, and all things belonging to the altar, and within the veil; and the stranger that touches them shall die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/3-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=716" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm">The Duties of the Levites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>Assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they have been given exclusively to him from among the Israelites. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">So</a> <a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: tip̄·qōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To attend to, visit, muster, appoint. A primitive root; to visit; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.">you shall appoint</a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">Aaron</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bā·nāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">and his sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: wə·šā·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">to carry out</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·nā·ṯām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Priesthood. From kahan; priesthood.">the duties of the priesthood;</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 approaches the tabernacle</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> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/28-1.htm">Exodus 28:1</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/29-9.htm">Exodus 29:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/8-1.htm">Leviticus 8:1-3</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Take Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull of the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread, / and assemble the whole congregation at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-13.htm">1 Chronicles 23:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/26-18.htm">2 Chronicles 26:18</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/5-4.htm">Hebrews 5:4</a></span><br />No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-28.htm">1 Samuel 2:28</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-27.htm">1 Kings 2:27</a></span><br />So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-10.htm">2 Chronicles 13:10</a></span><br />But as for us, the LORD is our God. We have not forsaken Him; the priests who minister to the LORD are sons of Aaron, and the Levites attend to their duties.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Hebrews 7:11-14</a></span><br />Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Deuteronomy 10:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4-7</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-15.htm">Ezekiel 44:15-16</a></span><br />But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD. / They alone shall enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to minister before Me. They will keep My charge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18-20</a></span><br />Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. / 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.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that comes near shall be put to death.</p><p class="hdg">they shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7</a></b></br> 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 <i>unto you as</i> a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/6-32.htm">1 Chronicles 6:32</a></b></br> And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and <i>then</i> they waited on their office according to their order.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/44-8.htm">Ezekiel 44:8</a></b></br> And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.</p><p class="hdg">and the stranger</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">Numbers 3:38</a></b></br> But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, <i>even</i> before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, <i>shall be</i> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Numbers 1:51</a></b></br> And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-35.htm">Numbers 16:35,40</a></b></br> And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/3-9.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/1-50.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-3.htm">Approaches</a> <a href="/numbers/3-8.htm">Attend</a> <a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Common</a> <a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Draweth</a> <a href="/numbers/3-8.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Layman</a> <a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/numbers/3-4.htm">Office</a> <a href="/numbers/1-54.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/numbers/3-3.htm">Priesthood</a> <a href="/numbers/3-4.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/numbers/3-4.htm">Priest's</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-25.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/numbers/3-6.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/numbers/3-4.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/leviticus/12-5.htm">Wait</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/3-32.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/4-19.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-11.htm">Approaches</a> <a href="/numbers/8-13.htm">Attend</a> <a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">Common</a> <a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/18-7.htm">Draweth</a> <a href="/numbers/3-28.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/numbers/16-40.htm">Layman</a> <a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/numbers/4-16.htm">Office</a> <a href="/numbers/5-2.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/numbers/16-10.htm">Priesthood</a> <a href="/numbers/3-31.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/numbers/5-8.htm">Priest's</a> <a href="/numbers/3-28.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/numbers/3-31.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/numbers/14-3.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/numbers/4-23.htm">Wait</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-1.htm">The sons of Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-5.htm">The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-14.htm">Are numbered by their families</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-21.htm">The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-27.htm">Of the Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-33.htm">Of the Merarites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">The place and charge of Moses and Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">40. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">The firstborn are freed by the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-44.htm">The balances are refunded</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/3.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/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood;</b><br>This phrase establishes the divine appointment of Aaron and his sons as the exclusive priests of Israel. The priesthood was a hereditary office, passed down through Aaron's lineage, emphasizing the importance of family and lineage in ancient Israelite society. This appointment is rooted in <a href="/exodus/28.htm">Exodus 28:1</a>, where God calls Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. The priesthood involved performing sacrifices, maintaining the sanctuary, and interceding for the people, highlighting the mediatory role between God and Israel. This foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who mediates a new covenant (<a href="/hebrews/4-14.htm">Hebrews 4:14-16</a>).<p><b>but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”</b><br>This severe warning underscores the holiness of the tabernacle and the sanctity of the priestly office. The term "outsider" refers to anyone not of Aaron's lineage, emphasizing the exclusivity of the priesthood. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/10.htm">Leviticus 10:1-2</a>, where Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, are struck down for offering unauthorized fire. The death penalty for unauthorized access to the tabernacle underscores the seriousness of approaching God without proper mediation, pointing to the necessity of Christ's atoning work for access to God (<a href="/hebrews/10-19.htm">Hebrews 10:19-22</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>The brother of Moses, appointed as the first high priest of Israel. He and his descendants were given the exclusive role of serving as priests.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron's_sons.htm">Aaron's Sons</a></b><br>The descendants of Aaron who were also appointed to serve as priests. They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctuary.htm">The Sanctuary</a></b><br>The holy place where God's presence dwelt among the Israelites. It was a sacred space that required specific regulations and roles for service.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were given the Law and instructions for worship and community living.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levites.htm">The Levites</a></b><br>The tribe set apart to assist the priests and care for the tabernacle, but not to serve as priests themselves.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_holiness_of_god.htm">The Holiness of God</a></b><br>God's holiness demands reverence and obedience. The strict regulations for approaching the sanctuary highlight the need for purity and respect in worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_priests.htm">The Role of Priests</a></b><br>Priests were mediators between God and the people, a role fulfilled perfectly by Jesus Christ. Understanding this helps us appreciate the access we have to God through Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The severe penalty for unauthorized access to the sanctuary underscores the importance of following God's commands. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_divine_appointment.htm">The Importance of Divine Appointment</a></b><br>God chooses and appoints individuals for specific roles. Recognizing and respecting these divine appointments is crucial for maintaining order and fulfilling God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/our_role_as_a_royal_priesthood.htm">Our Role as a Royal Priesthood</a></b><br>As believers, we are called a royal priesthood (<a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a>), tasked with offering spiritual sacrifices and proclaiming God's excellencies. This calls us to live lives of holiness and service.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_levite_genealogies_match_history.htm">Numbers 3 - Do the Levite genealogies align with any known historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_the_high_priest_in_the_bible.htm">Who was the high priest in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_levite_genealogy_in_1_chr_6_feasible.htm">In 1 Chronicles 6:33–38, the chronicler cites specific Levite families serving in temple duties; if this record spans centuries, how feasible is it that the genealogy remained unbroken?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt appoint.</span>--Or, <span class= "ital">number. </span>The word is the same as that which is used for the numbering of the Israelites generally (<a href="/numbers/1-19.htm" title="As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.">Numbers 1:19</a>) and for the numbering of the Levites (<a href="/numbers/3-15.htm" title="Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shall you number them.">Numbers 3:15</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The stranger that cometh nigh.</span> This constantly recurring formula has not always quite the same meaning: in <a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Numbers 1:51</a> it signified any one not of the tribe of Levi; here it includes even the Levite who was not also a priest. The separation of the Levites for the ministry of the tabernacle was not to infringe in the least upon the exclusive rights of Aaron and his sons. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/3-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you shall appoint</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּפְקֹ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(tip̄·qōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6485.htm">Strong's 6485: </a> </span><span class="str2">To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Aaron</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲרֹ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·rōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and his sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּנָיו֙</span> <span class="translit">(bā·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to carry out</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשָׁמְר֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šā·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the duties of the priesthood;</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּהֻנָּתָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(kə·hun·nā·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3550.htm">Strong's 3550: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priesthood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but any layman</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַזָּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·haz·zār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2114.htm">Strong's 2114: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside, to be a, foreigner, strange, profane, to commit adultery</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who approaches [the tabernacle]</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקָּרֵ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qā·rêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must be put to death.”</span><br /><span class="heb">יוּמָֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(yū·māṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/3-10.htm">OT Law: Numbers 3:10 You shall appoint Aaron and his sons (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/3-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 3:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/3-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 3:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:11" /></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>