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Numbers 4:20

18 Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:

19 But 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:

But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.

21 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

22 Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;

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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 the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.”
KJV
But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.
WEB
but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.”
ASV
but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.
DARBY
but they shall not go in and see for a moment the holy things, lest they die.
BLB
they shall not go in to watch the holy things being covered, lest they die.”
ÅB
men selv må de ikke gå inn og se på de hellige ting, enn ikke et øyeblikk, for at de ikke skal dø.
OTB
Men Kehatittene må ikke nærme seg og se på de hellige tingene, selv ikke kort, for at de ikke skal omkomme."
B1930
men selv må de ikke gå inn og se på de hellige ting, enn ikke et øieblikk, forat de ikke skal dø.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Samuel 6:19

    And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

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  • Exodus 19:21

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.

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  • Numbers 4:19

    But 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:

    Read in context

  • Leviticus 10:2

    And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

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  • Numbers 4:15

    And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

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  • Revelation 11:19

    And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

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  • Hebrews 10:19–20

    Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

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