Numbers 3:1-13 ▼

1 This is the account of Aaron (light bringer) and Moses (drawn out) at the time the LORD {YHWH} spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai (thorny).

2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron (light bringer): Nadab (generous) the firstborn, then Abihu (he is my father), Eleazar (God has helped), and Ithamar (coast of palms).

3 These were Aaron’s (light bringer) sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests.

4 Nadab (generous) and Abihu, however (he is my father), died in the presence of the LORD {YHWH} when they offered unauthorized (strange) fire before the LORD in the Wilderness of Sinai (thorny). And since they had no sons, only Eleazar (God has helped) and Ithamar (coast of palms) served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron (light bringer).

5 Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out),

6 “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron (light bringer) the priest to assist him.

7 They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle.

8 They shall take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting and fulfill obligations for the Israelites (God prevails) by attending to the service of the tabernacle.

9 Assign the Levites to Aaron (light bringer) and his sons; they have been given exclusively to him [to Me] from among the Israelites (God prevails).

10 So you shall appoint Aaron (light bringer) and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”

11 Again the LORD {YHWH} spoke to Moses (drawn out), saying,

12 “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel (he wrestles with God) in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me,

13 for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt (land of bondage), I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel (he wrestles with God), both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD {YHWH}.”