Numbers 18:2

1 And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

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.

3 And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.

4 And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto 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

    And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 18:4

    And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 17:7

    And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 8:22

    And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 30:16

    And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites.

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  • Numbers 16:40

    To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 3:6–13

    Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

    Read in context
  • 1 Chronicles 16:39–40

    And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,

    Read in context