Numbers 18
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The priests and Levites to have no inheritance, Deu 18:1, Deu 18:2. What is the priest's due, Deu 18:3-5. Of the Levites that come from any of the other cities, Deu 18:6-8. The Israelites must not copy the abominations of the former inhabitants, Deu 18:9. None to cause his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or use any kind of divination or enchantment, as the former inhabitants did, Deu 18:10-14. The great prophet which God promised to raise up, Deu 18:15-19. Of false prophets, Deu 18:20; and how to discern them, Deu 18:21, Deu 18:22.
Open source ↗THE CHARGE OF THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES. (Num 18:1-7) the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary--Security is here given to the people from the fears expressed (Num 17:12), by the responsibility of attending to all sacred things being devolved upon the priesthood, together with the penalties incurred through neglect; and thus the solemn responsibilities annexed to their high dignity, of having to answer not only for their own sins, but also for the sins of the people, were calculated in a great measure to remove all feeling of envy at the elevation of Aaron's family, when the honor was weighed in the balance with its burdens and dangers.
Open source ↗And the Lord spake unto Aaron,.... As the things spoken were such as concerned Aaron, he might be only and immediately spoken unto: thou, and thy sons, and thy father's house with thee; meaning both priests and Levites, the priests by him and his sons, and the Levites by his father's house: shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; the blame of any evil committed there, the punishment of it; the priests, Aaron and his sons, if they did not perform the duty of their office aright, he in the most holy place, and they in the holy place, and at the altar of burnt offering in the court; and the Levites, if they did not take care to watch in the tabernacle, and keep out strangers and polluted persons: and thou, and thy sons with thee, shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood; be answerable for my sins, errors, and mistakes that should be committed by them in the discharge of their office, through their own remissness, or not taking care that the Levites did their duty; this shows that the office of priesthood, though honourable, was burdensome, and not to be envied; and that the people needed not to be under such terrible apprehensions as they were, lest they should come too near the sanctuary, as to be in danger of death, since it lay upon the priests and Levites especially to take care thereof, and who, if negligent, would suffer.
Open source ↗The Official Duties and Rights of the Priests and Levites. - Num 18:1. To impress upon the minds of the priests and Levites the holiness and responsibility of their office, the service of Aaron, of his sons, and of his father's house, i.e., of the family of the Kohathites, is described as "bearing the iniquity of the sanctuary," and the service which was peculiar to the Aaronides, as "bearing the iniquity of their priesthood." "To bear the iniquity of the sanctuary" signifies not only "to have to make expiation for all that offended against the laws of the priests and the holy things, i.e., the desecration of these" (Knobel), but "iniquity or transgression at the sanctuary," i.e., the defilement of it by the sin of those who drew near to the sanctuary; not only of the priests and Levites, but of the whole people who defiled the sanctuary in the midst of them with its holy vessels, not only by their sins (Lev 16:6), but even by their holy gifts (Exo 28:38), and thus brought guilt upon the whole congregation, which the priests were to bear, i.e., to take upon themselves and expunge, by virtue of the holiness and sanctifying power communicated to their office (see at Exo 28:38). The "iniquity of the priesthood," however, not only embraced every offence against the priesthood, every neglect of the most scrupulous and conscientious fulfilment of duty in connection with their office, but extended to all the sin which attached to the official acts of the priests, on account of the sinfulness of their nature. It was to wipe out these sins and defilements, that the annual expiation of the holy things on the day of atonement had been appointed (Lev 16:16.). The father's house of Aaron, i.e., the Levitical family of Kohath, was also to join in bearing the iniquity of the sanctuary…
Open source ↗The coherence of this chapter with that foregoing is very observable. I. The people, in the close of that chapter, had complained of the difficulty and peril that there were in drawing near to God, which put them under some dreadful apprehensions that the tabernacle in the midst of them, which they hoped would have been their joy and glory, would rather be their terror and ruin. Now, in answer to this complaint, God here gives them to understand by Aaron that the priests should come near for them as their representatives; so that, though the people were obliged to keep their distance, yet that should not at all redound to their disgrace or prejudice, but their comfortable communion with God should be kept up by the interposition of the priests. II. A great deal of honour God had now lately put upon Aaron; his rod had budded and blossomed, when the rods of the rest of the princes remained dry, and destitute both of fruit and ornament. Now lest Aaron should be puffed up with the abundance of the favours that were done him, and the miracles that were wrought for the support of him in his high station, God comes to him to remind him of the burden that was laid upon him, and the duty required from him as a priest. He would see reason not to be proud of his preferment, but to receive the honours of his office with reverence and holy trembling, when he considered how great was the charge committed to him, and how hard it would be for him to give a good account of it. Be not high-minded, but fear. 1. God tells him of the danger that attended his dignity, Num 18:1. (1.) That both the priests and Levites (thou, and thy sons, and thy father's house) should bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; that is, if the sanctuary were profaned by the intrusion of strangers, or persons in their…
Open source ↗18:1-32 The instructions given here arose from the need demonstrated in ch 17 for clear boundaries between the people and the priests and Levites. The distinctive privileges of the Levites were matched by significant responsibilities. One very important aspect of their work was to safeguard the Tabernacle from unauthorized entry (ch 16). 18:1-4 The Lord gave special authority to Aaron, his sons (the priests), and his relatives (the Levites), all of whom were held responsible for offenses against the sanctuary. But the priests alone were held responsible for their own violations of God’s instructions for their service.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdâsh, H4720) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of… כְּהֻנָּה (kᵉhunnâh, H3550) — priesthood
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… לֵוִי (Lêvîy, H3878) — Levi, a son of Jacob שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose לָוָה (lâvâh, H3867) — properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form… שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) עֵדוּת (ʻêdûwth, H5715) — testimony
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗לָוָה (lâvâh, H3867) — properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind זוּר (zûwr, H2114) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane;… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar קֶצֶף (qetseph, H7110) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מַתָּנָה (mattânâh, H4979) — a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… כְּהֻנָּה (kᵉhunnâh, H3550) — priesthood דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) פֹּרֶכֶת (pôreketh, H6532) — a separatrix, i.e. (the sacred) screen עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind מַתָּנָה (mattânâh, H4979) — a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a… זוּר (zûwr, H2114) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane;… קָרֵב (qârêb, H7131) — near מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מִשְׁחָה (mishchâh, H4888) — unction (the act); by implication, a consecratory gift חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… אָשָׁם (ʼâshâm, H817) — guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) זָכָר (zâkâr, H2145) — properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
Open source ↗תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute מַתָּן (mattân, H4976) — a present תְּנוּפָה (tᵉnûwphâh, H8573) — a brandishing (in threat); by implication, tumult; specifically, the official undulation… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part יִצְהָר (yitshâr, H3323) — oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing תִּירוֹשׁ (tîyrôwsh, H8492) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain רֵאשִׁית (rêʼshîyth, H7225) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗בִּכּוּר (bikkûwr, H1061) — the first-fruits of the crop אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗חֵרֶם (chêrem, H2764) — physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And it will be worn on Aaron’s forehead, so that he may bear the iniquity of the holy things that the sons of Israel consecrate with regard to all their holy gifts. It shall always be on his forehead, so that they may be acceptable before the LORD.
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
In keeping with the forty days you spied out the land, you shall bear your guilt forty years—a year for each day—and you will experience My alienation.
Anyone who comes near the tabernacle of the LORD will die. Are we all going to perish?”
After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.
The priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, because there must be one staff for the head of each tribe.
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.