Numbers 3:7
Numbers 3:7 in Multiple Translations
They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle.
And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.
And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle.
In order that they may be responsible to him and to all Israel for the care of the Tent of meeting, and to do the work of the House;
They are to carry out duties on his behalf and for all the Israelites at the Tent of Meeting, looking after the service of the Tabernacle.
And take the charge with him, euen the charge of the whole Congregation before the Tabernacle of the Congregation to doe the seruice of the Tabernacle.
and kept his charge, and the charge of all the company before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle;
They shall keep his requirements, and the requirements of the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle.
And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.
And observe whatsoever appertaineth to the service of the multitude before the tabernacle of the testimony,
They will serve Aaron and all the other Israeli people, while they do their work inside the Sacred Tent and outside it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 3:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/שָׁמְר֣וּ
אֶת
מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗/וֹ
וְ/אֶת
מִשְׁמֶ֨רֶת֙
כָּל
הָ֣/עֵדָ֔ה
לִ/פְנֵ֖י
אֹ֣הֶל
מוֹעֵ֑ד
לַ/עֲבֹ֖ד
אֶת
עֲבֹדַ֥ת
הַ/מִּשְׁכָּֽן
וְ/שָׁמְר֣וּ
shâmar
H8104
to keep
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗/וֹ
mishmereth
H4931
charge
N-fs | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
מִשְׁמֶ֨רֶת֙
mishmereth
H4931
charge
N-fs
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הָ֣/עֵדָ֔ה
ʻêdâh
H5712
congregation
Art | N-fs
לִ/פְנֵ֖י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
אֹ֣הֶל
ʼôhel
H168
tent
N-ms
מוֹעֵ֑ד
môwʻêd
H4150
meeting
N-ms
לַ/עֲבֹ֖ד
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
עֲבֹדַ֥ת
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
service
N-fs
הַ/מִּשְׁכָּֽן
mishkân
H4908
tabernacle
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:7
וְ/שָׁמְר֣וּ
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗/וֹ
mishmereth
H4931
"charge"
N-fs | Suff
Mishmereth refers to a guard or watch, such as a sentry or a post, emphasizing the act of preservation or safekeeping, like a duty or obligation to protect something or someone.
Definition: 1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch 1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement 1b) keeping, preserving 1c) charge, injunction 1d) office, function (ceremonial)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. See also: Genesis 26:5; Joshua 22:3; Isaiah 21:8.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִשְׁמֶ֨רֶת֙
mishmereth
H4931
"charge"
N-fs
Mishmereth refers to a guard or watch, such as a sentry or a post, emphasizing the act of preservation or safekeeping, like a duty or obligation to protect something or someone.
Definition: 1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch 1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement 1b) keeping, preserving 1c) charge, injunction 1d) office, function (ceremonial)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. See also: Genesis 26:5; Joshua 22:3; Isaiah 21:8.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הָ֣/עֵדָ֔ה
ʻêdâh
H5712
"congregation"
Art | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gathering of people, like a congregation or crowd, often referring to a group of Israelites. It is used in various books, including Exodus and Psalms. The word is about people coming together.
Definition: congregation, gathering
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare H5713 (עֵדָה). See also: Exodus 12:3; Numbers 20:1; Psalms 1:5.
לִ/פְנֵ֖י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
אֹ֣הֶל
ʼôhel
H168
"tent"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Definition: : tent 1) tent 1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience 1b) dwelling, home, habitation 1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle) Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
Usage: Occurs in 314 OT verses. KJV: covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. See also: Genesis 4:20; Leviticus 14:23; Joshua 22:4.
מוֹעֵ֑ד
môwʻêd
H4150
"meeting"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to a meeting or appointed time, often for a sacred season or festival, like the tent of meeting in Exodus. It can also mean an assembly or congregation. In the Bible, it is used to describe the Israelites' gatherings and celebrations.
Definition: : meeting 1) appointed place, appointed time, meeting 1a) appointed time 1a1) appointed time (general) 1a2) sacred season, set feast, appointed season 1b) appointed meeting 1c) appointed place 1d) appointed sign or signal 1e) tent of meeting
Usage: Occurs in 213 OT verses. KJV: appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed). See also: Genesis 1:14; Numbers 4:31; Psalms 74:4.
לַ/עֲבֹ֖ד
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
עֲבֹדַ֥ת
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
"service"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.
Definition: : service[as_servant/slave] 1) labour, service 1a) labour, work 1b) labour (of servant or slave) 1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects) 1d) service (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. See also: Genesis 29:27; Numbers 18:6; Psalms 104:14.
הַ/מִּשְׁכָּֽן
mishkân
H4908
"tabernacle"
Art | N-ms
The tabernacle was a special tent where God met with the Israelites, as described in Exodus and Leviticus. It was a portable place of worship, like a dwelling place for God. The Israelites carried it with them.
Definition: 1) dwelling place, tabernacle 1a) dwelling-place 1b) dwellings Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. See also: Exodus 25:9; Numbers 3:23; Psalms 26:8.
Study Notes — Numbers 3:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 3:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 3:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 3:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 3:7
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:7
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 3:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 3:7
- Sermons on Numbers 3:7
Context — The Duties of the Levites
5Then the LORD said to Moses,
6“Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.
7They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle.
8They shall take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting and fulfill obligations for the Israelites by attending to the service of the tabernacle. 9Assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they have been given exclusively to him from among the Israelites.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 1:50 | Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it. |
| 2 | Numbers 8:15 | After you have cleansed them and presented them as a wave offering, they may come to serve at the Tent of Meeting. |
| 3 | Numbers 8:11 | Aaron is to present the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the sons of Israel, so that they may perform the service of the LORD. |
| 4 | Numbers 31:30 | From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.” |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 23:28–32 | but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God, as well as for the rows of the showbread, the fine flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baking, the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size. They were also to stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the LORD, and likewise in the evening. Whenever burnt offerings were presented to the LORD on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, they were to serve regularly before the LORD in the numbers prescribed for them. So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD. |
| 6 | 1 Chronicles 26:26 | This Shelomith and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and by the army commanders. |
| 7 | Numbers 8:24–26 | “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting. But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve. After that, they may assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves are not to do the work. This is how you are to assign responsibilities to the Levites.” |
| 8 | Numbers 3:32 | The chief of the leaders of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest; he oversaw those responsible for the duties of the sanctuary. |
| 9 | 1 Chronicles 26:20 | Now their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things. |
| 10 | 1 Chronicles 26:22 | the sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the LORD. |
Numbers 3:7 Summary
[Numbers 3:7 tells us that the Levites were responsible for helping the priest and the whole community with their duties before God, similar to how we are called to serve others in love, as seen in Galatians 5:13. This verse reminds us that serving others is an important part of our relationship with God, as Jesus taught in Matthew 25:31-46. By serving others, we are attending to the service of God's kingdom, just like the Levites attended to the service of the tabernacle. As we read in Hebrews 13:15-16, our service to others is a form of worship to God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the Levites in Numbers 3:7?
The Levites were assigned to assist Aaron the priest and attend to the service of the tabernacle, as stated in Numbers 3:7, and also to take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting as mentioned in Numbers 3:8.
Why were the Levites given to Aaron and his sons?
The Levites were given to Aaron and his sons to assist them in their priestly duties, as seen in Numbers 3:9, and this was a unique arrangement made by God, as stated in Numbers 3:6-10.
What does 'attending to the service of the tabernacle' mean in Numbers 3:7?
Attending to the service of the tabernacle means that the Levites were responsible for performing various tasks and duties related to the worship and maintenance of the tabernacle, similar to the tasks assigned to the priests in Exodus 28:1 and Leviticus 8:35.
How does Numbers 3:7 relate to the broader context of the Israelites' worship?
Numbers 3:7 is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' worship and the establishment of the tabernacle, which is also discussed in Exodus 25:1-31:18 and Leviticus 1:1-7:38, and highlights the importance of proper worship and service to God, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 12:10-11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can serve God and others, just like the Levites did in Numbers 3:7?
- How can I prioritize my own 'service of the tabernacle' in my daily life, whether that's through worship, prayer, or other spiritual practices?
- What are some things that distract me from attending to my own spiritual duties, and how can I overcome those distractions?
- In what ways can I support and assist others in their spiritual journeys, just as the Levites assisted Aaron and the priests?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:7
And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation,.... The charge of Aaron and of all the people of Israel, which was to secure the sanctuary from being polluted or plundered:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:7
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring the tribe of Levi near , [ haqªreeb (H7126)] - make approach.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 3:7
His charge, i.e. Aaron’ s charge, or those things which are committed principally to Aaron’ s care and oversight, and under him and his direction to the Levites. Of the whole congregation, i.e. of all the sacrifices and services which are due to the Lord from all the people, and because all the people could not and might not perform them, or at least divers of them, in their own persons, therefore they were to be performed by some particular persons in their name and stead; formerly by the first-born, , and now by the Levites. See 16:9. Before the tabernacle, emphatically; not within the tabernacle, for the care of these things within the holy place was appropriated to the priests, as the care of the most holy place was peculiar to the high priest.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 3:7
(7) And they shall keep his charge.—The word rendered charge may mean the directions which the Levites should receive from Aaron (comp. Genesis 26:5); or—as seems more probable from the use of the same word in this and the following verse with reference to the congregation—it may refer to the charge which was laid upon Aaron and upon the whole congregation in matters pertaining to the public worship of God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 3:7
Verse 7. The charge of the whole congregation] They shall work for the whole congregation; and instead of the first-born.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:7
7. keep his charge] i.e. perform the duties of their service to him and to the priests. the charge of the whole congregation] comprised the ritual functions in connexion with the offering of animals sacrificed by and in behalf of the laity of Israel.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 3:7
keep his charge - i. e. so assist him that the obligations incumbent on him and on the congregation may be fulfilled.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 3:7
7. Charge of the… congregation — As the Levites were subordinated to Aaron, it was proper that he should address them concerning their duties.
Sermons on Numbers 3:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Cost of Worship by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the humility and simplicity of Jesus Christ. He compares Jesus to the apostle Paul, who often said "finally" but continued to write more cha |