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Numeri 3
Het Boek

De stam van Levi

3 Op het moment dat de Here met Mozes sprak op de berg Sinaï, 2 had Aäron de volgende zonen: Nadab, de oudste, Abihu, Eleazar en Itamar. 3 Zij waren allemaal tot priester gezalfd en zo afgezonderd om dienst te doen in de tabernakel. 4 Maar Nadab en Abihu stierven in de woestijn van de Sinaï toen zij bij het altaar van de Here onheilig vuur gebruikten. Omdat Nadab en Abihu geen kinderen achterlieten, waren alleen Eleazar en Itamar overgebleven om hun vader Aäron te assisteren in de tabernakel.

5 Toen zei de Here tegen Mozes: 6 ‘Roep de stam Levi bijeen en stel hen aan Aäron voor als zijn assistenten. 7-9 Zij moeten zijn instructies opvolgen en de heilige taken in de tabernakel uitvoeren namens het hele volk Israël. Want zij zijn aangewezen als vertegenwoordigers van het volk Israël. Zij zijn verantwoordelijk voor alle voorwerpen in de tabernakel en voor het onderhoud van de tabernakel. 10 Maar alleen Aäron en zijn zonen mogen het priesterambt uitoefenen. Onbevoegden die dit denken te kunnen doen, zullen ter dood worden gebracht.’ 11,12 En de Here zei tegen Mozes: ‘Ik heb de Levieten aanvaard als plaatsvervangers voor alle oudste zonen van het volk Israël. De Levieten behoren Mij toe 13 in ruil voor alle oudste zonen. Sinds de dag dat Ik alle eerstgeborenen van de Egyptenaren doodde, nam Ik alle eerstgeborenen van mens en dier in Israël voor Mijzelf! Zij zijn mijn eigendom, Ik ben de Here.’

14,15 De Here sprak opnieuw tegen Mozes in de woestijn op het schiereiland Sinaï en zei: ‘Tel de zonen van Levi, ieder ingedeeld naar zijn familie, tel ieder mannelijk persoon van één maand en ouder mee.’ 16-24 En Mozes deed dat volgens Gods bevel. De zonen van Leviʼs zoon Gerson heetten Libni en Simi. De families die hun namen droegen, omvatten 7500 man en hun leider was Eljasaf, de zoon van Laël. Hun kampplaats was aan de westkant van de tabernakel. 25-30 Deze twee families waren verantwoordelijk voor het onderhoud van de tabernakel: de dakbedekking, het gordijn voor de ingang van de tabernakel, de gordijnen rond de voorhof en het gordijn voor de ingang van de voorhof die de tabernakel en het altaar omringde en de scheerlijnen die werden gebruikt om de tabernakel op te zetten.

De zonen van Leviʼs zoon Kehat heetten Amram, Jishar, Hebron en Uzziël. Hun stammen telden 8600 mannen en hun leider was Elisafan, de zoon van Uzziël. Zij hadden de zorg voor het heilige. Hun kampplaats was aan de zuidkant van de tabernakel. 31-35 Deze vier families waren verantwoordelijk voor de ark, de tafel, de kandelaar, de altaren, de verschillende voorwerpen die bij de dienst werden gebruikt, het gordijn voor het Heilige der Heiligen en alle reparaties die noodzakelijk waren voor elk van deze voorwerpen.

Eleazar, de zoon van Aäron, was het hoofd van de Levieten en was verantwoordelijk voor alles wat in het heiligdom gebeurde.

De zonen van Leviʼs zoon Merari heetten Machli en Musi. Hun geslachten telden 6200 mannen en hun leider was Suriël, de zoon van Abichaël. Hun kampplaats was aan de noordkant van de tabernakel. 36,37 Deze twee families waren verantwoordelijk voor het onderhoud van de panelen van de tabernakel, de pilaren, de voetstukken van de pilaren en al het gerei, dat nodig was voor hun gebruik, de pilaren rond de voorhof en hun voetstukken, de grondpennen en de scheerlijnen. 38 De oostkant van de tabernakel was gereserveerd voor de tenten van Mozes en Aäron en zijn zonen, die de uiteindelijke verantwoordelijkheid voor de tabernakel droegen namens het volk Israël. Iemand die niet tot de priesters of Levieten behoorde, maar toch in de tabernakel kwam, moest worden gedood.

39 Het aantal Levieten dat in opdracht van de Here door Mozes en Aäron werd geteld, bedroeg tweeëntwintigduizend mannen van één maand en ouder. 40 Toen zei de Here tegen Mozes: ‘Tel nu alle oudste zonen in Israël van één maand en ouder en noteer hun namen. 41 De Levieten zullen Mij toebehoren—Ik ben de Here—als vervangers voor de oudste zonen van Israël, en het vee van de Levieten is van Mij als vervanging van de eerstgeborenen van het vee van het hele volk.’ 42,43 Dus hield Mozes een telling onder de oudste zonen in Israël van één maand en ouder, zoals de Here hem had opgedragen. Hij kwam op een totaal van 22.273.

44 Daarop zei de Here tegen Mozes: 45 ‘Geef Mij de Levieten in plaats van de oudste zonen van het volk Israël, en geef Mij het vee van de Levieten in plaats van de eerstgeborenen van het vee van de Israëlieten. Ja, de Levieten zullen Mij toebehoren, Ik ben de Here. 46 Om de 273 oudste zonen los te kopen die boven het aantal Levieten uitgaan, 47,48 moet u per persoon 55 gram zilver betalen aan Aäron en zijn zonen.’ 49 Zo ontving Mozes het losgeld voor de 273 oudste zonen die het aantal Levieten te boven gingen. 50 Het totale losgeld bedroeg vijftien kilo zilver. 51 Mozes gaf dat aan Aäron en zijn zonen, zoals de Here hem had opgedragen.

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Nombres 3
La Bible du Semeur

Les prêtres

3 Voici la liste des descendants d’Aaron et de Moïse à l’époque où l’Eternel s’adressa à Moïse sur le mont Sinaï.

2 Voici les noms des fils d’Aaron : l’aîné s’appelait Nadab, puis vinrent Abihou, Eléazar et Itamar. 3 Ils étaient prêtres ayant reçu l’onction pour être investis de la fonction sacerdotale. 4 Mais Nadab et Abihou moururent devant l’Eternel, dans le désert du Sinaï, parce qu’ils lui avaient présenté un feu profane ; ils n’avaient pas eu d’enfants. Eléazar et Itamar exercèrent le ministère sacerdotal sous la supervision de leur père Aaron[a].

Les lévites, au service des prêtres

5 L’Eternel parla à Moïse en ces termes : 6 Fais venir la tribu de Lévi et mets ses membres à la disposition du prêtre Aaron pour qu’ils l’assistent[b]. 7 Ils seront à son service et au service de toute la communauté devant la tente de la Rencontre, pour accomplir les tâches relatives au tabernacle. 8 Ils prendront soin de tous les ustensiles de la tente de la Rencontre et seront au service des Israélites pour accomplir les tâches relatives au tabernacle. 9 Donc, tu mettras les lévites à la disposition d’Aaron et de ses fils ; ils lui[c] seront attribués comme représentants des Israélites. 10 Tu veilleras à ce qu’Aaron et ses fils exercent les fonctions sacerdotales ; celui qui ne serait pas de leur famille et qui s’approcherait du tabernacle sera puni de mort.

11 L’Eternel parla encore à Moïse en ces termes : 12 Voici : j’ai choisi les lévites du milieu des Israélites à la place de tous les premiers-nés des mères israélites ; ils m’appartiennent donc. 13 Tout premier-né m’appartient en effet, depuis le jour où j’ai fait mourir tous les premiers-nés des Egyptiens et où je me suis consacré tout premier-né en Israël, tant ceux des hommes que ceux des animaux. Ils sont à moi. Je suis l’Eternel[d].

Le recensement, le campement et les fonctions des lévites

14 Là-dessus, l’Eternel commanda à Moïse, au désert du Sinaï : 15 Fais le recensement des descendants de Lévi, selon leurs groupes familiaux et leurs familles ; tu compteras tous les lévites de sexe masculin de l’âge d’un mois et plus[e].

16 Moïse fit ce recensement sur l’ordre de l’Eternel de la manière qu’il lui avait prescrite.

17 Voici les noms des fils de Lévi : Guershôn, Qehath et Merari. 18 Guershôn avait pour fils Libni et Shimeï, qui ont donné leurs noms à leurs familles. 19 Qehath eut pour fils Amram et Yitsehar, Hébron et Ouzziel qui ont donné leur nom à leur famille. 20 Merari eut pour fils Mahli et Moushi qui ont donné leur nom à leur famille. Telles sont les familles des groupes familiaux de Lévi.

21 Les descendants de Guershôn comprennent la famille de Libni et celle de Shimeï, qui représentent les familles guershonites. 22 Elles comptaient au moment du recensement 7 500 membres de sexe masculin, âgés d’un mois et plus. 23 Les familles guershonites campaient derrière le tabernacle, du côté ouest. 24 Le chef de leur groupe familial était Eliasaph, fils de Laël. 25 Dans la tente de la Rencontre, ils avaient la responsabilité du tabernacle et de la tenture qui le recouvrait, du rideau de l’entrée de la tente, 26 des tentures du parvis qui entoure le tabernacle et l’autel, et de sa porte d’entrée ainsi que des cordages. Ils étaient chargés de tous les travaux liés à ces objets.

27 De Qehath sont issues les familles des Amramites, des Yitseharites, des Hébronites et des Ouzziélites, qui représentent les familles qehatites. 28 Elles comptaient 8 600[f] membres de sexe masculin de plus d’un mois. Ils étaient affectés au service du sanctuaire 29 et campaient du côté sud de la Demeure. 30 Leur chef était Elitsaphân, fils d’Ouzziel. 31 On avait confié à leur responsabilité : le coffre, la table, le chandelier, les autels, les objets sacrés dont on se sert pour officier, et le voile[g]. Ils étaient chargés de tous les travaux liés à ces objets.

32 Le chef suprême des lévites était Eléazar, fils du prêtre Aaron. Il supervisait les lévites préposés au service du sanctuaire. 33 De Merari sont issues la famille de Mahli et celle de Moushi. 34 Ils étaient 6 200 de sexe masculin âgés de plus d’un mois. 35 Le chef du groupe familial et des familles de Merari était Tsouriel, fils d’Abihaïl. Ils campaient du côté nord de la Demeure. 36 Les Merarites étaient responsables des planches du tabernacle, de ses traverses, de ses piliers, de leurs socles et de tous les ustensiles, pour accomplir tous les travaux relatifs à ces objets. 37 Ils avaient aussi la charge des piliers autour du parvis avec leurs socles, leurs piquets et leurs cordages.

38 Moïse, Aaron et ses fils campaient devant le tabernacle, à l’est, devant la tente de la Rencontre. Ils étaient chargés du service du sanctuaire au nom des Israélites. Toute personne profane qui s’en serait approchée comme eux devait être mise à mort.

39 Le nombre total des lévites de sexe masculin d’un mois et plus, recensés par Moïse et Aaron sur l’ordre de l’Eternel et par familles, était de 22 000.

Le rachat des fils aînés

40 L’Eternel dit à Moïse : Fais à présent le recensement de tous les fils aînés parmi les Israélites depuis l’âge d’un mois et au-dessus, en dressant leur liste nominative. 41 A leur place, tu m’attribueras les lévites – je suis l’Eternel. Le bétail des lévites m’appartiendra aussi en échange de tous les premiers-nés du bétail des Israélites.

42 Moïse fit le recensement de tous les fils aînés des Israélites selon l’ordre que l’Eternel lui avait donné. 43 Le total des fils aînés âgés d’au moins un mois et dont il enregistra les noms était de 22 273.

44 L’Eternel parla à Moïse et dit : 45 Attribue-moi les lévites en échange de tous les fils aînés des Israélites, et le bétail des lévites à la place du leur, ainsi les lévites seront à moi. Je suis l’Eternel. 46 Pour le rachat des 273 fils aînés en surplus par rapport au nombre des lévites, 47 tu feras payer cinq pièces d’argent par tête au taux du sicle utilisé au sanctuaire, qui pèse vingt guéras[h]. 48 Tu donneras l’argent à Aaron et à ses fils comme prix du rachat de ceux qui sont en surplus par rapport au nombre des lévites.

49 Moïse reçut l’argent du rachat pour ceux qui étaient en excédent sur le nombre des fils aînés rachetés par les lévites ; 50 il reçut de la part des fils aînés israélites la somme de 1 365 sicles au taux du sicle en vigueur au sanctuaire. 51 Il remit l’argent du rachat à Aaron et à ses fils, selon l’ordre que l’Eternel lui avait donné.

Footnotes

  1. 3.4 Voir Lv 10.1-7.
  2. 3.6 Les lévites sont clairement distingués des prêtres, descendants d’Aaron (qui forment une branche des lévites). Ils seront les assistants, les aides des prêtres, mais n’accompliront pas toutes leurs fonctions.
  3. 3.9 Certains manuscrits du texte hébreu traditionnel, le Pentateuque samaritain et l’ancienne version grecque ont : me.
  4. 3.13 Voir Ex 13.1-16.
  5. 3.15 Les lévites ne devaient pas faire de service militaire ; c’est pourquoi ils ne sont pas comptés à partir de vingt ans comme les autres Israélites. Ce recensement sert à déterminer le rapport de leur nombre avec celui des premiers-nés (voir v. 40-51).
  6. 3.28 L’ancienne version grecque porte 8 300, ce qui s’accorde avec le total donné au v. 39.
  7. 3.31 Séparant le lieu saint du lieu très saint.
  8. 3.47 C’est-à-dire douze grammes. Comme il existait plusieurs systèmes de poids et mesures, il est précisé ici que c’est le système du sanctuaire qui est seul valable pour cette transaction. Le guéra valait environ 0,6 grammes d’argent ; le sicle pesait donc environ 12 grammes. Cette rançon constituera un revenu régulier pour les prêtres (voir 18.16).
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Numbers 3
New English Translation

The Sons of Aaron

3 [a] Now these are the records[b] of Aaron and Moses when[c] the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed[d] priests, whom he consecrated[e] to minister as priests.[f]

4 Nadab and Abihu died[g] before the Lord[h] when they offered[i] strange[j] fire[k] before the Lord in the desert of Sinai, and they had no children.[l] So Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests[m] in the presence of[n] Aaron their father.

The Assignment of the Levites

5 The Lord spoke to Moses: 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near,[o] and present[p] them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.[q] 7 They are responsible for his needs[r] and the needs of the whole community before the tent of meeting, by attending to[s] the service of the tabernacle. 8 And they are responsible for all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and for the needs of the Israelites, as they serve[t] in the tabernacle. 9 You are to assign[u] the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they will be assigned exclusively[v] to him out of all[w] the Israelites. 10 So you are to appoint Aaron and his sons, and they will be responsible for their priesthood,[x] but the unauthorized person[y] who comes near must be put to death.”

11 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 12 “Look,[z] I myself have taken the Levites from among the Israelites instead of[aa] every firstborn who opens the womb among the Israelites. So the Levites belong to me, 13 because all the firstborn are mine. When I destroyed[ab] all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They belong to me. I am the Lord.”[ac]

The Numbering of the Levites

14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai: 15 “Number the Levites by their clans[ad] and their families; every male from a month old and upward you are to number.”[ae] 16 So Moses numbered them according to the word[af] of the Lord, just as he had been commanded.[ag]

The Summary of Families

17 These were the sons[ah] of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

18 These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei. 19 The sons of Kohath by their families were: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20 The sons of Merari by their families were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their clans.

The Numbering of the Gershonites

21 From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these were the families of the Gershonites. 22 Those of them who were numbered, counting every male from a month old and upward, were 7,500. 23 The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle toward the west. 24 Now the leader[ai] of the clan[aj] of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael.

25 And[ak] the responsibilities of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting included the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the curtain at the entrance of the tent of meeting, 26 the hangings of the courtyard,[al] the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard that surrounded the tabernacle and the altar, and their ropes, plus all the service connected with these things.[am]

The Numbering of the Kohathites

27 From Kohath came the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these were the families of the Kohathites.[an] 28 Counting every male from a month old and upward, there were 8,600. They were responsible for the care[ao] of the sanctuary. 29 The families of the Kohathites were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. 30 Now the leader of the clan of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan son of Uzziel.

31 Their responsibilities included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered,[ap] the curtain, and all their service.[aq] 32 Now the head of all the Levitical leaders[ar] was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible for[as] the sanctuary.

The Numbering of Merari

33 From Merari came the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were[at] the families of Merari. 34 Those of them who were numbered, counting every male from a month old and upward, were 6,200. 35 Now the leader of the clan of the families of Merari was Zuriel son of Abihail. These were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.

36 The appointed responsibilities of the Merarites included the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, its posts, its sockets, its utensils, plus all the service connected with these things,[au] 37 and the pillars of the courtyard all around, with their sockets, their pegs, and their ropes.

38 But those who were to camp in front of the tabernacle on the east, in front of the tent of meeting, were Moses, Aaron,[av] and his sons. They were responsible for the needs[aw] of the sanctuary and for the needs of the Israelites, but the unauthorized person who approached was to be put to death. 39 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered by the word[ax] of the Lord, according to their families, every male from a month old and upward, were 22,000.

The Substitution for the Firstborn

40 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Number all the firstborn males of the Israelites from a month old and upward, and take[ay] the number of their names. 41 And take[az] the Levites for me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn males among the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.” 42 So Moses numbered all the firstborn males among the Israelites, as the Lord had commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, by the number of the names from a month old and upward, totaled 22,273.

44 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn males among the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock. And the Levites will be mine. I am the Lord. 46 And for the redemption of the 273 firstborn males of the Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, 47 collect[ba] five shekels for each one[bb] individually; you are to collect[bc] this amount[bd] in the currency of the sanctuary shekel (this shekel is twenty gerahs).[be] 48 And give the money for the redemption of the excess number of them to Aaron and his sons.”

49 So Moses took the redemption money[bf] from those who were in excess of those redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn males of the Israelites he collected the money, 1,365 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. 51 Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:1 sn For significant literature for this chapter, see M. Aberbach and L. Smolar, “Aaron, Jeroboam, and their Golden Calves,” JBL 86 (1967): 129-40; G. Brin, “The First-born in Israel in the Biblical Period” (Ph.D. diss., University of Tel Aviv, 1971); S. H. Hooke, “Theory and Practice of Substitution,” VT 2 (1952): 2-17; and J. Morgenstern, “A Chapter in the History of the High Priesthood,” AJSL 55 (1938): 1-24.
  2. Numbers 3:1 tn The construction is וְאֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת (ve’elleh toledot), which was traditionally translated “now these are the generations,” much as it was translated throughout the book of Genesis. The noun can refer to records, stories, genealogies, names, and accounts of people. Here it is the recorded genealogical list with assigned posts included. Like Genesis, it is a heading of a section, and not a colophon as some have suggested. It is here similar to Exodus: “these are the names of.” R. K. Harrison, Numbers (WEC), 62, insists that it is a colophon and should end chapter 2, but if that is followed in the Pentateuch, it creates difficulty throughout the narratives. See the discussion by A. P. Ross, Creation and Blessing, 69-74.
  3. Numbers 3:1 tn The expression in the Hebrew text (“in the day of”) is idiomatic for “when.”
  4. Numbers 3:3 tn The verb מָשַׁח (mashakh) means “to anoint”; here the form modifies the “priests.” The service of consecration was carried out with anointing oil (Exod 30:30). The verb is used for the anointing of kings as well as priests in the OT, and so out of that derived the technical title “Messiah” for the coming ideal king—the “Anointed One.”
  5. Numbers 3:3 tn In this verse the expression is in a relative clause: “who he filled their hand” means “whose hands he filled,” or “whom he consecrated.” The idiomatic expression used here is from Lev 8; it literally is “he filled their hand” (מִלֵּא יָדָם, milleʾ yadam). In the ordination service Moses placed some of the meat from the sacrifice in the hand of the ordinand, and this signified what he was going to be about—having his hand full, or being consecrated to the priesthood. There is some evidence that this practice or expression was also known in Mesopotamia. In modern ordination services a NT or a Bible may be placed in the ordinand’s hand—it is what the ministry will be about.
  6. Numbers 3:3 tn The form is an infinitival construction for the word for the priest, showing the purpose for the filling of the hands.
  7. Numbers 3:4 tn The verb form is the preterite with vav (ו) consecutive, literally “and Nadab died.” Some commentators wish to make the verb a past perfect, rendering it “and Nadab had died,” but this is not necessary. In tracing through the line from Aaron it simply reports that the first two sons died. The reference is to the event recorded in Lev 10 where the sons brought “strange” or “foreign” fire to the sanctuary.
  8. Numbers 3:4 tc This initial clause is omitted in one Hebrew ms, Smr, and the Vulgate.
  9. Numbers 3:4 tn The form בְּהַקְרִבָם (behaqrivam) is the Hiphil infinitive construct functioning as a temporal clause: “when they brought near,” meaning, “when they offered.” The verb קָרַב (qarav) is familiar to students of the NT because of “corban” in Mark 7:11.
  10. Numbers 3:4 tn Or “prohibited.” See HALOT 279 s.v. זָר 3.
  11. Numbers 3:4 tn The expression אֵשׁ זָרָה (ʾesh zarah, “strange fire”) seems imprecise and has been interpreted numerous ways (see the helpful summary in J. E. Hartley, Leviticus [WBC 4], 132-33). The infraction may have involved any of the following or a combination thereof: (1) using coals from some place other than the burnt offering altar (i.e., “unauthorized coals” according to J. Milgrom, Leviticus [AB], 1:598; cf. Lev 16:12 and cf. “unauthorized person” [אִישׁ זָר, ʾish zar] in Num 16:40 [17:5 HT], NASB “layman”), (2) using the wrong kind of incense (cf. the Exod 30:9 regulation against “strange incense” [קְטֹרֶת זָרָה, qetoret zarah] on the incense altar and the possible connection to Exod 30:34-38), (3) performing an incense offering at an unprescribed time (B. A. Levine, Leviticus [JPSTC], 59), or (4) entering the Holy of Holies at an inappropriate time (Lev 16:1-2).sn This event is narrated in Lev 10:1-7.
  12. Numbers 3:4 sn The two young priests had been cut down before they had children; the ranks of the family of Aaron were thereby cut in half in one judgment from God. The significance of the act of judgment was to show that the priests had to sanctify the Lord before the people—they were to be examples that the sanctuary and its contents were distinct.
  13. Numbers 3:4 tn The verb is the Piel preterite from the root כָּהַן (kahan): “to function as a priest” or “to minister.”
  14. Numbers 3:4 tn The expression “in the presence of” can also mean “during the lifetime of” (see Gen 11:28; see also BDB 818 s.v. פָּנֶה II.7.a; cf. NASB, NIV, NCV, NRSV, TEV).
  15. Numbers 3:6 sn The use of the verb קָרַב (qarav) forms an interesting wordplay in the passage. The act of making an offering is described by this verb, as was the reference to the priests’ offering of strange fire. Now the ceremonial presentation of the priests is expressed by the same word—they are being offered to God.
  16. Numbers 3:6 tn The verb literally means “make it [the tribe] stand” (וְהַעֲמַדְתָּ אֹתוֹ, vehaʿamadta ʾoto). The verb is the Hiphil perfect with a vav (ו) consecutive; it will take the same imperative nuance as the form before it, but follow in sequence (“and then”). This refers to the ceremonial presentation in which the tribe would take its place before Aaron, that is, stand before him and await their assignments. The Levites will function more like a sacred guard than anything else, for they had to protect and care for the sanctuary when it was erected and when it was transported (see J. Milgrom, Studies in Levitical Terminology, 8-10).
  17. Numbers 3:6 tn The verb וְשֵׁרְתוּ (vesheretu) is the Piel perfect with a vav (ו) consecutive; it carries the same volitional force as the preceding verb forms, but may here be subordinated in the sequence to express the purpose or result of the preceding action.
  18. Numbers 3:7 tn The Hebrew text uses the perfect tense of שָׁמַר (shamar) with a vav (ו) consecutive to continue the instruction of the preceding verse. It may be translated “and they shall keep” or “they must/are to keep,” but in this context it refers to their appointed duties. The verb is followed by its cognate accusative—“they are to keep his keeping,” or as it is often translated, “his charge.” This would mean whatever Aaron needed them to do. But the noun is also used for the people in the next phrase, and so “charge” cannot be the meaning here. The verse is explaining that the Levites will have duties to perform to meet the needs of Aaron and the congregation.
  19. Numbers 3:7 tn The form is the Qal infinitive construct from עָבַד (ʿavad, “to serve, to work”); it is taken here as a verbal noun and means “by (or in) serving” (see R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 36, §195). This explains the verb “keep [his charge].” Here too the form is followed by a cognate accusative; they will be there to “serve the service” or “work the work.”
  20. Numbers 3:8 tn The construction uses the infinitive construct (epexegetically) followed by its cognate accusative. It would convey “to serve the service of the tabernacle,” but more simply it may be rendered as “serving.” Their spiritual and practical service is to serve.sn The Levites had the duty of taking care of all the tabernacle and its furnishings, especially in times when it was to be moved. But they were also appointed to be gatekeepers (2 Kgs 22:4; 1 Chr 9:19) in order to safeguard the purity of the place and the activities that went on there. Their offices seem to have then become hereditary in time (1 Sam 1:3); they even took on more priestly functions, such as pronouncing the benediction (Deut 10:8). See further R. de Vaux, Ancient Israel, 348-49.
  21. Numbers 3:9 tn The verb וְנָתַתָּה (venatattah) is normally “give.” Here, though, the context refers to the assignment of the Levites to the priests for their duties. The form is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive, continuing the sequence for the imperfect of instruction.
  22. Numbers 3:9 tn This emphasis is derived from the simple repetition of the passive participle, נְתוּנִם נְתוּנִם (netunim netunim). See GKC 396 §123.e. The forms serve as the predicate with the subject pronoun.
  23. Numbers 3:9 tn The Hebrew text simply has the preposition, “from the Israelites.”
  24. Numbers 3:10 tc The LXX includes the following words here: “and all things pertaining to the altar and within the veil.” Cf. Num 18:7.
  25. Numbers 3:10 tn The word is זָר (zar), usually rendered “stranger, foreigner, pagan.” But in this context it simply refers to anyone who is not a Levite or a priest, an unauthorized person or intruder in the tabernacle. That person would be put to death.
  26. Numbers 3:12 tn The particle הִנֵּה (hinneh) here carries its deictic force, calling attention to the fact that is being declared. It is underscoring the fact that the Lord himself chose Levi.
  27. Numbers 3:12 tn Literally “in the place of.”
  28. Numbers 3:13 tn The form הַכֹּתִי (hakkoti) is the Hiphil infinitive construct of the verb נָכָה (nakhah, “to strike, smite, attack”). Here, after the idiomatic “in the day of,” the form functions in an adverbial clause of time—“when I destroyed.”
  29. Numbers 3:13 sn In the Exodus event of the Passover night the principle of substitution was presented. The firstborn child was redeemed by the blood of the lamb and so belonged to God, but then God chose the Levites to serve in the place of the firstborn. The ritual of consecrating the firstborn son to the Lord was nevertheless carried out, even with Jesus, the firstborn son of Mary (Luke 2:22-23).
  30. Numbers 3:15 tn Heb “the house of their fathers.” So also in v. 20.
  31. Numbers 3:15 tn Heb “you are to/shall number them.”
  32. Numbers 3:16 tn Heb “at the mouth of the Lord.”
  33. Numbers 3:16 tn The Pual perfect may be given the past perfect translation in this sentence because the act of commanding preceded the act of numbering.
  34. Numbers 3:17 tn The word “sons of” does at the outset refer to the sons of Levi. But as the listing continues the expression refers more to the family groups of the various descendants.
  35. Numbers 3:24 tn The vav (ו) disjunctive on the noun at the beginning of the verse here signals a greater emphasis on the individual rather than another item in the numbering of the clans.
  36. Numbers 3:24 tn Heb “a father’s house.” So also in vv. 30, 35.
  37. Numbers 3:25 tn The disjunctive vav (ו) here introduces a new section, listing the various duties of the clan in the sanctuary. The Gershonites had a long tradition of service here. In the days of David Asaph and his family were prominent as musicians. Others in the clan controlled the Temple treasuries. But in the wilderness they had specific oversight concerning the tent structure, which included the holy place and the holy of holies.
  38. Numbers 3:26 tc The phrases in this verse seem to be direct objects without verbs. BHS suggests deleting the sign of the accusative (for which see P. P. Saydon, “Meanings and Uses of the Particle אֵת,” VT 14 [1964]: 263-75).
  39. Numbers 3:26 tn Heb “for all the service of it [them].”
  40. Numbers 3:27 sn Both Moses and Aaron came from this line (6:16-20). During the Hebrew monarchy this branch of the line of Levi was exemplary in music (1 Chr 6:33-48). They were also helpful to Hezekiah in his reforms (1 Chr 29:12-14).
  41. Numbers 3:28 tn The construction here is a little different. The Hebrew text uses the participle in construct plural: שֹׁמְרֵי (shomere, literally “keepers of”). The form specifies the duties of the 8,600 Kohathites. The genitive that follows this participle is the cognate מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmeret) that has been used before. So the expression indicates that they were responsible for the care of this part of the cult center. There is no reason to delete one of the forms (as does J. A. Paterson, Numbers, 42), for the repetition stresses the central importance of their work.
  42. Numbers 3:31 tn The verb is יְשָׁרְתוּ (yesharetu, “they will serve/minister”). The imperfect tense in this place, however, probably describes what the priests would do, what they used to do. The verb is in a relative clause: “which they would serve with them,” which should be changed to read “with which they would serve.”
  43. Numbers 3:31 tn The word is literally “its [their] service.” It describes all the implements that were there for the maintenance of these things.
  44. Numbers 3:32 tn The Hebrew construction has “the leader of the leaders of” (וּנְשִׂיא נְשִׂיאֵי, unesiʾ nesiʾe).
  45. Numbers 3:32 tn Heb “the keepers of the responsibility” (שֹׁמְרֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת, shomerey mishmeret). The participle is a genitive specifying the duty to which he was appointed (thing possessed); its cognate genitive emphasizes that their responsibility was over the holy place.
  46. Numbers 3:33 tn The Hebrew text has “these they the families of Merari.” The independent personal pronoun has an anaphoric use, somewhat equivalent to the copula “and” (see R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 23, §115).
  47. Numbers 3:36 tn Heb “and all their service.” This could possibly be a hendiadys: “and all their working tools.” However, the parallel with v. 26 suggests this is a separate phrase.
  48. Numbers 3:38 tc In some Hebrew mss and Smr “and Aaron” is not in the verse. The omission arose probably by scribal error with such repetitious material that could easily give rise to variant traditions.
  49. Numbers 3:38 tn Here again the verb and its cognate noun are used: keeping the keep, or keeping charge over, or taking responsibility for the care of, or the like.
  50. Numbers 3:39 tn Here again the Hebrew has “at the mouth of,” meaning in accordance with what the Lord said. So also in v. 51.
  51. Numbers 3:40 tn The verb נָשָׂא (nasaʾ, “take”) has here the sense of collect, take a census, or register the names.
  52. Numbers 3:41 tn The verb is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive; it carries forward the instructions from the preceding verse. The verb “take” now has the sense of appointing or designating the Levites.
  53. Numbers 3:47 tn The verb again is the perfect tense in sequence; the meaning of “take” may be interpreted here with the sense of “collect.”
  54. Numbers 3:47 tn The idea is expressed simply by repetition: “take five, five, shekels according to the skull.” They were to collect five shekels for each individual.
  55. Numbers 3:47 tn The verb form now is the imperfect of instruction or legislation.
  56. Numbers 3:47 tn Heb “them,” referring to the five shekels.
  57. Numbers 3:47 sn The sanctuary shekel was first mentioned in Exod 30:13. The half-shekel of Exod 38:26 would then be 10 gerahs. Consequently, the calculations would indicate that five shekels was about two ounces of silver for each person. See R. B. Y. Scott, “Weights and Measures of the Bible,” BA 22 (1951): 22-40, and “The Scale-Weights from Ophel, 1963-1964,” PEQ 97 (1965): 128-39.
  58. Numbers 3:49 sn The word used is “silver.” Coins were not in existence until after 700 b.c. (starting with Lydia).
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