Numbers 18:2

1 So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood.

But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony.

3 And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die.

4 They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.

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
But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony.
KJV
And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.
WEB
Bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, near with you, that they may be joined to you, and minister to you; but you and your sons with you shall be before the Tent of the Testimony.
ASV
And thy brethren also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou near with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall be before the tent of the testimony.
DARBY
And thy brethren also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring near with thee, that they may unite with thee, and minister unto thee; but thou and thy sons with thee [shall serve] before the tent of the testimony.
BLB
And bring your brothers of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, near with you, that they may be joined with you and serve you while you and your sons [are] with you before the Tent of the Testimony.
ÅB
Også dine brødre, Levi stamme, din fars stamme, skal du la komme nær til sammen med deg, - og de skal holde seg til deg og tjene deg; men du og dine sønner, dere skal stå foran vitnesbyrdets telt.
OTB
Ta med dine medlevitter, stammen til dine forfedre, for å slutte seg til deg og hjelpe deg mens du og dine sønner tjener foran vitnesbyrdets telt.
B1930
Også dine brødre, Levi stamme, din fars stamme, skal du la komme nær til sammen med dig, - og de skal holde sig til dig og tjene dig; men du og dine sønner, I skal stå foran vidnesbyrdets telt.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 29:34

    Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 18:4

    They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 17:7

    Then Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 8:22

    After that, the Levites came to perform their service at the Tent of Meeting in the presence of Aaron and his sons. Thus they did with the Levites just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 30:16

    They stood at their prescribed posts, according to the Law of Moses the man of God. The priests sprinkled the blood, which they received from the hand of the Levites.

    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
  • Numbers 3:6–13

    “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.

    Read in context
  • 1 Chronicles 16:39–40

    And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon

    Read in context