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Numbers 3:6

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 3:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
Numbers 3:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests that were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest`s office.
4And Nadab and Abihu died before Jehovah, when they offered strange fire before Jehovah, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children; and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest`s office in the presence of Aaron their father.
5And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
6Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
7And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle.
8And they shall keep all the furniture of the tent of meeting, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
9And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him on the behalf of the children of Israel.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bring the tribe of Levi near, etc.] Separate them from the rest, set them apart for special service about, the sanctuary, let them have a place nearer to it than the other tribes, or offer them, that is, to the Lord, as in (<040811>Numbers 8:11); as well as bring them near to Aaron; so it follows: and present them before Aaron the priest; that he may receive them as a gift unto him, as servants to wait upon him; and! that he may appoint and declare unto them their work, and set them about it: that they may minister unto him; in guarding the tabernacle taking care of the vessels of it, taking it down, carrying it, from place to place, and setting it up as there was occasion for it.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Present them - Offer them to the Lord for his special service. This was promised to them before, and now actually conferred. Numbers 3:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“The word hakraiv, here rendered bring near, 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 entirely given up to the service of the sanctuary, to be no longer their own, but the Lord's. Num 1:49-53, Num 2:17, Num 2:33, Num 8:6-15, Num 8:22-26, Num 16:9-11, Num 18:2-6; Exo 32:26-29; Deu 33:8, Deu 33:9; Mal 2:4 Numbers 3:7”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification