Numbers 3:38
But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַֽחֹנִ֣ים
But those that encamp
H2583
וְהַֽחֹנִ֣ים
But those that encamp
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
לִפְנֵי֩
before
H6440
לִפְנֵי֩
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֡ן
the tabernacle
H4908
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֡ן
the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
3 of 20
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
קֵ֣דְמָה
toward the east
H6924
קֵ֣דְמָה
toward the east
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
4 of 20
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
לִפְנֵי֩
before
H6440
לִפְנֵי֩
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֹֽהֶל
the tabernacle
H168
אֹֽהֶל
the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
6 of 20
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֨ד׀
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֨ד׀
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
בְּנֵ֣י
and his sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שֹֽׁמְרִים֙
keeping
H8104
שֹֽׁמְרִים֙
keeping
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת
for the charge
H4931
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת
for the charge
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
13 of 20
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
הַמִּקְדָּ֔שׁ
of the sanctuary
H4720
הַמִּקְדָּ֔שׁ
of the sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
14 of 20
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת
for the charge
H4931
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת
for the charge
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
15 of 20
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
בְּנֵ֣י
and his sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
17 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Numbers 3:10And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.Numbers 1:53But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.Numbers 2:3And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.
Historical Context
The eastern position facing the tabernacle entrance placed Moses and the priests at the most prominent location, from which they could oversee both the tabernacle and the entire camp. This positioning reinforced their mediating role between God and Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses and Aaron's positioning closest to the tabernacle illustrate that spiritual leadership requires intimate communion with God?
- What does the death penalty for unauthorized approach teach us about respecting God-ordained offices and not presuming on positions for which we're not called?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses, Aaron, and Aaron's sons camping east of the tabernacle, before the entrance, positioned the supreme leaders at the place of highest honor facing the Holy Place's entry. This spatial arrangement taught that covenant leadership derives from proximity to God's presence and responsibility for guarding His holiness. The warning that 'the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death' maintained the distinction between those called to leadership and the general congregation.