Numbers 3:6

Numbers 3:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
• New International Version (NIV)“Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.

Context of Numbers 3:6

4Nadab and Abihu died in the Lord’s presence because they offered unauthorized fire in his presence in the Desert of Sinai. They had no children. So only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron. 5The Lord said to Moses, “Bring the tribe of Levi, and have them stand in front of the priest Aaron to assist him. 7They will work for him and the whole community in front of the tent of meeting, doing what needs to be done for the inner tent. 8They will take care of all the furnishings in the tent of meeting and work for the Israelites, doing what needs to be done for the inner tent.

Numbers 3:6 word by word

הַקְרֵב֙ אֶת־מַטֵּ֣ה לֵוִ֔י וְֽהַעֲמַדְתָּ֣ אֹת֔וֹ לִפְנֵ֖י אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֑ן וְשֵׁרְת֖וּ אֹתֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Bringקָרַבqârab · to present: bringH7126
• the tribeמַטֶּהmaţţeh maţţâh · tribeH4294
• of Leviלֵוִיlêvîy · LeviH3878
• nearקָרַבqârab · to present: bringH7126
• and presentעָמַד‛âmad · to stand: standH5975
• them beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• Aaronאַהֲרֹן'ahărôn · AaronH175
• the priestכֹּהֵןkôhên · priestH3548
• that they may ministerשָׁרַתshârath · to ministerH8334

Cross-references for Numbers 3:6

• Numbers 1:49“Don’t register the tribe of Levi or include them in the census with the other Israelites.
• Numbers 2:17“When the tent of meeting is moved, the Levites will stay in the middle of the groups. The tribes will move out in the same order as they are in the camp, everyone in place under his own flag.
• Numbers 8:6“Separate the Levites from the rest of the Israelites, and make them clean.
• Numbers 16:9Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the community of Israel? The Lord has brought you near himself to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them.
• Numbers 18:2Bring the other Levites from your ancestor’s tribe to join you and help you and your sons serve in front of the tent of the words of my promise.
• Exodus 32:26he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “If you’re on the Lord’s side, come over here to me!” Then all the Levites gathered around him.
• Deuteronomy 33:8About the tribe of Levi he said, “Your Thummim and Urim belong to your faithful people. You tested your people at Massah. You quarreled with them at the oasis of Meribah.
• Malachi 2:4Then you will know that I sent you this warning so that my promise to Levi will continue,” says the Lord of Armies.

Commentaries on Numbers 3:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Bring the tribe of Levi near - The original word הקרב hakreb is properly a sacrificial word, and signifies the presenting of a sacrifice or offering to the Lord. As an offering, the tribe of Levi was given up entirely to the service of the sanctuary, to be no longer their own, but the Lord's property.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-13God chose the Levites to be assistants for the priests, represented by Aaron. They had a number of holy duties in their ministry service. They performed holy tasks to maintain the Tent of Meeting and its items (3:7,8; explained more in 4:1–33).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 5-105-10. Bring the tribe of Levi near--The Hebrew word "bring near" is a sacrificial term, denoting the presentation of an offering to God; and the use of the word, therefore, in connection with the Levites, signifies that they were devoted as an offering to the sanctuary, no longer to be employed in any common offices. They were subordinate to the priests, who alone enjoyed the privilege of entering the holy place; but they were employed in discharging many…Read the comment

Topics related to Numbers 3:6

• Levites
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Aaron
• Levi
• Levi, Levite
• Matthew, Levi
• Chief
• Conclude
• Custody
• Encamp
• O
• Secure

Commentaries on Numbers 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings