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Numbers 4:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 4:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
Numbers 4:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp is set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
16And the charge of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the continual meal-offering, and the anointing oil, the charge of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, the sanctuary, and the furniture thereof.
17And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
18Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
19but thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden;
20but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.
21And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
← Numbers 4:17Numbers 4:19 →
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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
“Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites.] Or give no occasion, as the Targum of Jonathan; or be not the cause of their cutting off, as Jarchi, through negligence or inadvertency of theirs, in packing up the above things, and delivering them to them.”
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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
“Cut not off - Do not by your neglect provoke God to cut them off for touching the holy things. Numbers 4:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Eleazar and the priests would be chargeable with the death of the Kohathites, if they failed to give them proper cautions and directions; or permitted them to gaze with irreverence or curiosity upon the holy things, which they might carry, but not see ( Num 4:20). Num 16:32, Num 17:10, Num 18:5; Exo 19:21; Lev 10:1, Lev 10:2; Sa1 6:19; Sa2 6:6, Sa2 6:7; Jer 38:23 Numbers 4:19”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification