Numbers 1:51

⁴⁹ “Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites.

⁵⁰ Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.

Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death.

⁵² The Israelites are to camp by their divisions, each man in his own camp and under his own standard.

⁵³ But the Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the congregation of Israel. So the Levites are responsible for the tabernacle of the Testimony.”

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death.
KJV: 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.
WEB: When the tabernacle is to move, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall set it up. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death.
ASV: 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.
DARBY: and when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle encampeth, the Levites shall set it up; and the stranger that cometh near shall be put to death.
BLB: And in the going forward of the tabernacle, the Levites shall take it down. And in the encamping of the tabernacle, the Levites shall set it up. And the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.

ÅB: Når tabernaklet skal bryte opp, skal levittene ta det ned, og når tabernaklet skal leire seg, skal levittene reise det opp; kommer noen fremmed[^1];
OTB: Når tabernaklet skal flyttes, skal levittene ta det ned, og når det skal settes opp, skal levittene gjøre det. Enhver fremmed som nærmer seg det, skal dø.
B1930: Når tabernaklet skal bryte op, skal levittene ta det ned, og når tabernaklet skal leire sig, skal levittene reise det op; kommer nogen fremmed; / < d.e. en som ikke er levitt.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Numbers 3:38
Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.
Read in context
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.”
Read in context
1 Samuel 6:19
But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter.
Read in context
2 Samuel 6:7
And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.
Read in context
Numbers 18:22
No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die.
Read in context
Numbers 4:1–33
Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
Read in context
Numbers 16:40
just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.
Read in context
Leviticus 22:10–13
No one outside a priest’s family may eat the sacred offering, nor may the guest of a priest or his hired hand eat it.
Read in context