Revised Literal Translation

Numbers 18

1And Yhwhיְהוָה֙Yah.wehH3068saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559unto Aaronאַהֲרֹ֔ן'a.ha.RonH175,Thou and thy sonsוּבָנֶ֤יךָu.va.Nei.khaH1121and thy father’sאָבִ֙יךָ֙'a.Vi.khaH1houseוּבֵית־u.veit-H1004with thee shall bearתִּשְׂא֖וּtis.'UH5375the iniquityעֲוֹ֣ן'a.VonH5771of the sanctuaryהַמִּקְדָּ֑שׁha.mik.DashH4720:and thou and thy sonsוּבָנֶ֣יךָu.va.Nei.khaH1121with thee shall bearתִּשְׂא֖וּtis.'UH5375the iniquityעֲוֹ֥ן'a.VonH5771of your priesthoodכְּהֻנַּתְכֶֽם׃ke.hu.nat.KhemH3550.

2And thy brethrenאַחֶיךָ֩'a.chei.KhaH251also of the tribeמַטֵּ֨הma.TehH4294of Leviלֵוִ֜יle.ViH3878,the tribeשֵׁ֤בֶטShe.vetH7626of thy fatherאָבִ֙יךָ֙'a.Vi.khaH1,bringהַקְרֵ֣בhak.RevH7126thou with thee, that they may be joinedוְיִלָּו֥וּve.yi.la.VuH3867unto thee, and ministerוִֽישָׁרְת֑וּךָvi.sha.re.Tu.khaH8334unto thee: but thou and thy sonsוּבָנֶ֣יךָu.va.Nei.khaH1121with thee shall ministerbeforeלִפְנֵ֖יlif.NeiH6440the tabernacleאֹ֥הֶל'O.helH168of witnessהָעֵדֻֽת׃ha.'e.DutH5715.

3And they shall keepוְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙ve.sha.me.RuH8104thy chargeמִֽשְׁמַרְתְּךָ֔mish.mar.te.KhaH4931,and the chargeוּמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶתu.mish.Me.retH4931of all the tabernacleהָאֹ֑הֶלha.'O.helH168:only they shall not come nighיִקְרָ֔בוּyik.Ra.vuH7126the vesselsכְּלֵ֨יke.LeiH3627of the sanctuaryהַקֹּ֤דֶשׁha.Ko.deshH6944and the altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ha.miz.Be.achH4196,that neither they, nor ye also, dieיָמֻ֥תוּya.Mu.tuH4191.

4And they shall be joinedוְנִלְו֣וּve.nil.VuH3867unto thee, and keepוְשָֽׁמְר֗וּve.sha.me.RuH8104the chargeמִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙mish.Me.retH4931of the tabernacleאֹ֣הֶל'O.helH168of the congregationמוֹעֵ֔דmo.'EdH4150,for all the serviceעֲבֹדַ֣ת'a.vo.DatH5656of the tabernacleהָאֹ֑הֶלha.'O.helH168:and a strangerוְזָ֖רve.ZarH2114shall not come nighיִקְרַ֥בyik.RavH7126unto you.

5And ye shall keepוּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֗םu.she.mar.TemH8104the chargeמִשְׁמֶ֣רֶתmish.Me.retH4931of the sanctuaryהַקֹּ֔דֶשׁha.Ko.deshH6944,and the chargeמִשְׁמֶ֣רֶתmish.Me.retH4931of the altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַha.miz.Be.achH4196:that there be no wrathקֶ֖צֶףKe.tzefH7110any more upon the childrenבְּנֵ֥יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Yis.ra.'ElH3478.

6And I, behold, I have takenלָקַ֙חְתִּי֙la.Kach.tiH3947your brethrenאֲחֵיכֶ֣ם'a.chei.KhemH251the Levitesהַלְוִיִּ֔םhal.vi.YimH3881from amongמִתּ֖וֹךְmi.TokhH8432the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478: to you they aregivenנְתֻנִים֙ne.tu.NimH5414asa giftמַתָּנָ֤הma.ta.NahH4979for Yhwhלַֽיהוָ֔הla.Yah.wehH3068,to doלַעֲבֹ֕דla.'a.VodH5647the serviceעֲבֹדַ֖ת'a.vo.DatH5656of the tabernacleאֹ֥הֶל'O.helH168of the congregationמוֹעֵֽד׃mo.'EdH4150.

7Therefore thou and thy sonsוּבָנֶ֣יךָu.va.Nei.khaH1121with thee shall keepתִּשְׁמְר֨וּtish.me.RuH8104your priest’s officeכְּהֻנַּתְכֶ֜םke.hu.nat.KhemH3550for every thingדְּבַ֧רde.VarH1697of the altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַha.miz.Be.achH4196,and withinוּלְמִבֵּ֥יתu.le.mi.BeitH1004the vailלַפָּרֹ֖כֶתla.pa.Ro.khetH6532;and ye shall serveוַעֲבַדְתֶּ֑םva.'a.vad.TemH5647:I have givenאֶתֵּן֙'e.TenH5414your priest’s officeכְּהֻנַּתְכֶ֔םke.hu.nat.KhemH3550unto youas a serviceעֲבֹדַ֣ת'a.vo.DatH5656of giftמַתָּנָ֗הma.ta.NahH4979:and the strangerוְהַזָּ֥רve.ha.ZarH2114that cometh nighהַקָּרֵ֖בha.ka.RevH7131shall be put to deathיוּמָֽת׃ סyu.MatH4191.

8And Yhwhיְהוָה֮Yah.wehH3068spakeוַיְדַבֵּ֣רvay.da.BerH1696unto Aaronאַהֲרֹן֒'a.ha.RonH175,Behold, I also have givenנָתַ֣תִּֽיna.Ta.tiH5414thee the chargeמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶתmish.Me.retH4931of mine heave offeringsתְּרוּמֹתָ֑יte.ru.mo.TaiH8641of all the hallowed thingsקָדְשֵׁ֣יka.de.SheiH6944of the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Israelיִ֠שְׂרָאֵלYis.ra.'elH3478;unto thee have I givenנְתַתִּ֧יםne.ta.TimH5414them by reason of the anointingלְמָשְׁחָ֛הle.ma.she.ChahH4888,and to thy sonsוּלְבָנֶ֖יךָu.le.va.Nei.khaH1121,by an ordinanceלְחָק־le.chok-H2706for everעוֹלָֽם׃o.LamH5769.

9This shall be thine of the mostמִקֹּ֥דֶשׁmi.Ko.deshH6944holy thingsהַקֳּדָשִׁ֖יםha.ko.da.ShimH6944, reservedfrom the fireהָאֵ֑שׁha.'EshH784:every oblationקָ֠רְבָּנָםKa.re.ba.nomH7133of theirs, every grain offeringמִנְחָתָ֞םmin.cha.TamH4503of theirs, and every sin offeringחַטָּאתָ֗םcha.ta.TamH2403of theirs, and every trespass offeringאֲשָׁמָם֙'a.sha.MamH817of theirs, which they shall renderיָשִׁ֣יבוּya.Shi.vuH7725unto me, shall bemostקֹ֣דֶשׁKo.deshH6944holyקָֽדָשִׁ֥יםka.da.ShimH6944for thee and for thy sonsוּלְבָנֶֽיךָ׃u.le.va.Nei.khaH1121.

10In the mostבְּקֹ֥דֶשׁbe.Ko.deshH6944holyהַקֳּדָשִׁ֖יםha.ko.da.ShimH6944placeshalt thou eatתֹּאכֲלֶ֑נּוּto.kha.Le.nuH398it; every maleזָכָר֙za.KharH2145shall eatיֹאכַ֣לyo.KhalH398it: it shall be holyקֹ֖דֶשׁKo.deshH6944unto thee.

11And this isthine; the heave offeringתְּרוּמַ֣תte.ru.MatH8641of their giftמַתָּנָ֗םma.ta.NamH4976,with all the wave offeringsתְּנוּפֹת֮te.nu.FotH8573of the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֒Yis.ra.'ElH3478:I have givenנְתַתִּ֗יםne.ta.TimH5414them unto thee, and to thy sonsוּלְבָנֶ֧יךָu.le.va.Nei.khaH1121and to thy daughtersוְלִבְנֹתֶ֛יךָve.liv.no.Tei.khaH1323with thee, by a statuteלְחָק־le.chok-H2706for everעוֹלָ֑םo.LamH5769:every one that is cleanטָה֥וֹרta.HorH2889in thy houseבְּבֵיתְךָ֖be.vei.te.KhaH1004shall eatיֹאכַ֥לyo.KhalH398of it.

12All the bestחֵ֣לֶבChe.levH2459of the oilיִצְהָ֔רyitz.HarH3323,and all the bestחֵ֖לֶבChe.levH2459of the wineתִּיר֣וֹשׁti.Ro.oshH8492,and of the wheatוְדָגָ֑ןve.da.GanH1715,the firstfruitsרֵאשִׁיתָ֛םre.shi.TamH7225of them which they shall offerיִתְּנ֥וּyi.te.NuH5414unto Yhwhלַֽיהוָ֖הla.Yah.wehH3068,them have I givenנְתַתִּֽים׃ne.ta.TimH5414thee.

13Andwhatsoever is first ripeבִּכּוּרֵ֞יbi.ku.ReiH1061in the landבְּאַרְצָ֛םbe.'ar.TzamH776,which they shall bringיָבִ֥יאוּya.Vi.'uH935unto Yhwhלַיהוָ֖הla.Yah.wehH3068,shall be thine; every one that is cleanטָה֥וֹרta.HorH2889in thine houseבְּבֵיתְךָ֖be.vei.te.KhaH1004shall eatיֹאכֲלֶֽנּוּ׃yo.kha.Le.nuH398of it.

14Every thing devotedחֵ֥רֶםChe.remH2764in Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לbe.Yis.ra.'ElH3478shall be thine.

15Every thing that openethפֶּ֣טֶרPe.terH6363the matrixרֶ֠חֶםRe.chemH7358in all fleshבָּשָׂ֞רba.SarH1320,which they bringיַקְרִ֧יבוּyak.Ri.vuH7126unto Yhwhלַֽיהוָ֛הla.Yah.wehH3068, whether it beof menבָּאָדָ֥םba.'a.DamH120or beastsוּבַבְּהֵמָ֖הu.va.be.he.MahH929,shall be thine: nevertheless the firstbornבְּכ֣וֹרbe.KhorH1060of manהָֽאָדָ֔םha.'a.DamH120shalt thou surelyפָּדֹ֣הpa.DohH6299redeemתִפְדֶּ֗הtif.DehH6299,and the firstlingבְּכֽוֹר־be.khor-H1060of uncleanהַטְּמֵאָ֖הha.te.me.'AhH2931beastsהַבְּהֵמָ֥הha.be.he.MahH929shalt thou redeemתִּפְדֶּֽה׃tif.DehH6299.

16And those that are to be redeemedוּפְדוּיָו֙u.fe.du.YavH6299from a monthחֹ֣דֶשׁCho.deshH2320oldמִבֶּן־mi.ben-H1121shalt thou redeemתִּפְדֶּ֔הtif.DehH6299,according to thine estimationבְּעֶ֨רְכְּךָ֔be.'Er.ke.khaH6187,for the moneyכֶּ֛סֶףKe.sefH3701of fiveחֲמֵ֥שֶׁתcha.Me.shetH2568shekelsשְׁקָלִ֖יםshe.ka.LimH8255,after the shekelבְּשֶׁ֣קֶלbe.She.kelH8255of the sanctuaryהַקֹּ֑דֶשׁha.Ko.deshH6944, which istwentyעֶשְׂרִ֥ים'es.RimH6242gerahsגֵּרָ֖הge.RahH1626.

17But the firstlingבְּֽכוֹר־be.khor-H1060of a cowשׁ֡וֹרShorH7794,or the firstlingבְכ֨וֹרve.KhorH1060of a sheepכֶּ֜שֶׂבKe.sevH3775,or the firstlingבְכ֥וֹרve.KhorH1060of a goatעֵ֛ז'ezH5795,thou shalt not redeemתִפְדֶּ֖הtif.DehH6299; they areholyקֹ֣דֶשׁKo.deshH6944:thou shalt sprinkleתִּזְרֹ֤קtiz.RokH2236their bloodדָּמָ֞םda.MamH1818upon the altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ha.miz.Be.achH4196,and shalt burnתַּקְטִ֔ירtak.TirH6999their fatחֶלְבָּ֣םchel.BamH2459foran offering made by fireאִשֶּׁ֛ה'i.ShehH801,for a sweetנִיחֹ֖חַni.Cho.achH5207savourלְרֵ֥יחַle.Rei.achH7381unto Yhwhלַֽיהוָֽה׃la.Yah.wehH3068.

18And the fleshוּבְשָׂרָ֖םu.ve.sa.RamH1320of them shall be thine, as the waveהַתְּנוּפָ֛הha.te.nu.FahH8573breastכַּחֲזֵ֧הka.cha.ZehH2373and as the rightהַיָּמִ֖יןhai.ya.MinH3225shoulderוּכְשׁ֥וֹקu.khe.ShokH7785are thine.

19All the heave offeringsתְּרוּמֹ֣תte.ru.MotH8641of the holy thingsהַקֳּדָשִׁ֗יםha.ko.da.ShimH6944,which the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֮Yis.ra.'ElH3478offerיָרִ֥ימוּya.Ri.muH7311unto Yhwhלַֽיהוָה֒la.Yah.wehH3068,have I givenנָתַ֣תִּֽיna.Ta.tiH5414thee, and thy sonsוּלְבָנֶ֧יךָu.le.va.Nei.khaH1121and thy daughtersוְלִבְנֹתֶ֛יךָve.liv.no.Tei.khaH1323with thee, by a statuteלְחָק־le.chok-H2706for everעוֹלָ֑םo.LamH5769: it isa covenantבְּרִית֩be.RitH1285of saltמֶ֨לַחMe.lachH4417for everעוֹלָ֥םo.LamH5769beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlif.NeiH6440Yhwhיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068unto thee and to thy seedוּלְזַרְעֲךָ֥u.le.zar.'a.KhaH2233with thee.

20And Yhwhיְהוָ֜הYah.wehH3068spakeוַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559unto Aaronאַהֲרֹ֗ן'a.ha.RonH175,Thou shalt have no inheritanceתִנְחָ֔לtin.ChalH5157in their landבְּאַרְצָם֙be.'ar.TzamH776,neither shalt thou have any partוְחֵ֕לֶקve.Che.lekH2506amongבְּתוֹכָ֑םbe.to.KhamH8432them: I amthy partחֶלְקְךָ֙chel.ke.ChaH2506and thine inheritanceוְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ve.na.cha.La.te.khaH5159amongבְּת֖וֹךְbe.TokhH8432the childrenבְּנֵ֥יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ סYis.ra.'ElH3478.

21And, behold, I have givenנָתַ֛תִּיna.Ta.tiH5414the childrenוְלִבְנֵ֣יve.liv.NeiH1121of Leviלֵוִ֔יle.ViH3878all the tenthמַֽעֲשֵׂ֥רma.'a.SerH4643in Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לbe.Yis.ra.'ElH3478for an inheritanceלְנַחֲלָ֑הle.na.cha.LahH5159,forחֵ֤לֶףChe.lefH2500their serviceעֲבֹֽדָתָם֙'a.vo.da.TamH5656which they serveעֹֽבְדִ֔ים'oe.DimH5647, eventhe serviceעֲבֹדַ֖ת'a.vo.DatH5656of the tabernacleאֹ֥הֶל'O.helH168of the congregationמוֹעֵֽד׃mo.'EdH4150.

22Neither must the childrenבְּנֵ֥יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478henceforthע֛וֹדodH5750come nighיִקְרְב֥וּyik.re.VuH7126the tabernacleאֹ֣הֶל'O.helH168of the congregationמוֹעֵ֑דmo.'EdH4150,lest they bearלָשֵׂ֥אתla.SetH5375sinחֵ֖טְאchet'H2399,and dieלָמֽוּת׃la.MutH4191.

23But the Levitesהַלֵּוִ֜יha.le.ViH3881shall doוְעָבַ֨דve.'a.VadH5647the serviceעֲבֹדַת֙'a.vo.DatH5656of the tabernacleאֹ֣הֶל'O.helH168of the congregationמוֹעֵ֔דmo.'EdH4150,and they shall bearיִשְׂא֣וּyis.'UH5375their iniquityעֲוֹנָ֑ם'a.vo.NamH5771: it shall bea statuteחֻקַּ֤תchu.KatH2708for everעוֹלָם֙o.LamH5769throughout your generationsלְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םle.do.Ro.tei.KhemH1755,that amongוּבְתוֹךְ֙u.ve.toKhH8432the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478they haveיִנְחֲל֖וּyin.cha.LuH5157no inheritanceנַחֲלָֽה׃na.cha.LahH5159.

24But the tithesמַעְשַׂ֣רma'.SarH4643of the childrenבְּנֵֽי־be.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לYis.ra.'ElH3478,which they offerיָרִ֤ימוּya.Ri.muH7311asan heave offeringתְּרוּמָ֔הte.ru.MahH8641unto Yhwhלַֽיהוָה֙la.Yah.wehH3068,I have givenנָתַ֥תִּיna.Ta.tiH5414to the Levitesלַלְוִיִּ֖םlal.vi.YimH3881to inheritלְנַחֲלָ֑הle.na.cha.LahH5159:therefore I have saidאָמַ֣רְתִּי'a.Mar.tiH559unto them, Amongבְּתוֹךְ֙be.toKhH8432the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478they shall haveיִנְחֲל֖וּyin.cha.LuH5157no inheritanceנַחֲלָֽה׃ פna.cha.LahH5159.

25And Yhwhיְהוָ֖הYah.wehH3068spakeוַיְדַבֵּ֥רvay.da.BerH1696unto Mosesמֹשֶׁ֥הmo.ShehH4872,sayingלֵּאמֹֽר׃le.MorH559,

26Thus speakתְּדַבֵּר֮te.da.BerH1696unto the Levitesהַלְוִיִּ֣םhal.vi.YimH3881,and sayוְאָמַרְתָּ֣ve.'a.mar.TaH559unto them, When ye takeתִ֠קְחוּTik.chuH3947of the childrenבְּנֵֽי־be.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֜לYis.ra.'ElH3478the tithesהַֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֗רha.ma.'a.SerH4643which I have givenנָתַ֧תִּיna.Ta.tiH5414you from them for your inheritanceבְּנַחֲלַתְכֶ֑םbe.na.cha.lat.KhemH5159,then ye shall offerוַהֲרֵמֹתֶ֤םva.ha.re.mo.TemH7311up an heave offeringתְּרוּמַ֣תte.ru.MatH8641of it for Yhwhיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068, evena tenthמַעֲשֵׂ֖רma.'a.SerH4643partof the titheהַֽמַּעֲשֵֽׂר׃Ha.ma.'a.SerH4643.

27And thisyour heave offeringתְּרוּמַתְכֶ֑םte.ru.mat.KhemH8641shall be reckonedוְנֶחְשַׁ֥בve.nech.ShavH2803unto you, as though it werethe grainכַּדָּגָן֙ka.da.GanH1715of the threshingfloorהַגֹּ֔רֶןha.Go.renH1637,and as the fulnessוְכַֽמְלֵאָ֖הve.kham.le.'AhH4395of the winepressהַיָּֽקֶב׃hai.Ya.kevH3342.

28Thus ye also shall offerתָּרִ֤ימוּta.Ri.muH7311an heave offeringתְּרוּמַ֣תte.ru.MatH8641unto Yhwhיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068of all your tithesמַעְשְׂרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םma'.se.Ro.tei.KhemH4643,which ye receiveתִּקְח֔וּtik.ChuH3947of the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478;and ye shall giveוּנְתַתֶּ֤םu.ne.ta.TemH5414thereof Yhwh'sיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068heave offeringתְּרוּמַ֣תte.ru.MatH8641to Aaronלְאַהֲרֹ֖ןle.'a.ha.RonH175the priestהַכֹּהֵֽן׃ha.ko.HenH3548.

29Out of all your giftsמַתְּנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םma.te.No.tei.KhemH4979ye shall offerתָּרִ֕ימוּta.Ri.muH7311every heave offeringתְּרוּמַ֣תte.ru.MatH8641of Yhwhיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068,of all the bestחֶלְבּ֔וֹchel.BoH2459thereof, eventhe hallowed partמִקְדְּשׁ֖וֹmik.de.ShoH4720thereof out of it.

30Therefore thou shalt sayוְאָמַרְתָּ֖ve.'a.mar.TaH559unto them, When ye have heavedבַּהֲרִֽימְכֶ֤םba.ha.rim.KhemH7311the bestחֶלְבּוֹ֙chel.BoH2459thereof from it, then it shall be countedוְנֶחְשַׁב֙ve.nech.ShavH2803unto the Levitesלַלְוִיִּ֔םlal.vi.YimH3881as the increaseכִּתְבוּאַ֥תkit.vu.'AtH8393of the threshingfloorגֹּ֖רֶןGo.renH1637,and as the increaseוְכִתְבוּאַ֥תve.khit.vu.'AtH8393of the winepressיָֽקֶב׃Ya.kevH3342.

31And ye shall eatוַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤םva.'a.khal.TemH398it in every placeמָק֔וֹםma.KomH4725,ye and your householdsוּבֵֽיתְכֶ֑םu.veit.KhemH1004: for it isyour rewardשָׂכָ֥רsa.KharH7939forחֵ֥לֶףChe.lefH2500your serviceעֲבֹֽדַתְכֶ֖ם'a.vo.dat.KhemH5656in the tabernacleבְּאֹ֥הֶלbe.'O.helH168of the congregationמוֹעֵֽד׃mo.'EdH4150.

32And ye shall bearתִשְׂא֤וּtis.'UH5375no sinחֵ֔טְאChet'H2399by reason of it, when ye have heavedבַּהֲרִֽימְכֶ֥םba.ha.rim.KhemH7311from it the bestחֶלְבּ֖וֹchel.BoH2459of it: neither shall ye polluteתְחַלְּל֖וּte.cha.le.LuH2490the holy thingsקָדְשֵׁ֧יka.de.SheiH6944of the childrenבְנֵי־ve.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElH3478,lest ye dieתָמֽוּתוּ׃ פta.Mu.tuH4191.

Commentaries on Numbers 18