Numbers 3:6
New International Version
“Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.

New Living Translation
“Call forward the tribe of Levi, and present them to Aaron the priest to serve as his assistants.

English Standard Version
“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.

Berean Standard Bible
“Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.

Berean Literal Bible
“Bring near the tribe of Levi and present them before the face of Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.

King James Bible
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

New King James Version
“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.

New American Standard Bible
“Bring the tribe of Levi forward and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.

NASB 1995
“Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.

NASB 1977
“Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Bring the tribe of Levi near and have them stand before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.

Amplified Bible
“Bring the tribe of Levi near and present them before Aaron the priest, so that they may serve him.

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

Christian Standard Bible
“Bring the tribe of Levi near and present them to the priest Aaron to assist him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Bring the tribe of Levi near and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.

American Standard Version
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

Contemporary English Version
Assign the Levi tribe to Aaron the priest. They will be his assistants

English Revised Version
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Bring the tribe of Levi, and have them stand in front of the priest Aaron to assist him.

Good News Translation
"Bring forward the tribe of Levi and appoint them as servants of Aaron the priest.

International Standard Version
"Bring the tribe of Levi near and present them to Aaron the priest so they may serve him.

NET Bible
"Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.

New Heart English Bible
"Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
“Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.

World English Bible
“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and you have caused it to stand before Aaron the priest, and they have served him,

Berean Literal Bible
“Bring near the tribe of Levi and present them before the face of Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.

Young's Literal Translation
'Bring near the tribe of Levi, and thou hast caused it to stand before Aaron the priest, and they have served him,

Smith's Literal Translation
Bring near the tribe of Levi, and make it stand before Aaron the priest; and they served him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Bring the tribe of Levi, and make them stand in the sight of Aaron the priest to minister to him, and let them watch,

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Bring forward the tribe of Levi, and cause them to stand in the sight of Aaron the priest, in order to minister to him. And let them keep watch outside,

New American Bible
Summon the tribe of Levi and station them before Aaron the priest to serve him.

New Revised Standard Version
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, so that they may assist him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Bring the tribe of Levi and present it before Ahron the Priest and it shall serve him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Take the tribe of Levi, and thou shalt set them before Aaron the priest, and they shall minister to him,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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.…

Cross References
Bring the tribe of Levi

Deuteronomy 10:8-9
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. / That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.

Deuteronomy 18:1-2
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

Deuteronomy 33:8-11
Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. / He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. / He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. …
and present them to Aaron the priest

Numbers 8:9-11
Bring the Levites before the Tent of Meeting and assemble the whole congregation of Israel. / You are to present the Levites before the LORD and have the Israelites lay their hands upon them. / 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.

Numbers 8:13-19
You are to have the Levites stand before Aaron and his sons and then present them before the LORD as a wave offering. / In this way you shall separate the Levites from the rest of the Israelites, and the Levites will belong to Me. / After you have cleansed them and presented them as a wave offering, they may come to serve at the Tent of Meeting. …

Numbers 18:2-4
But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony. / And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. / They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.
to assist him.

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. …

2 Chronicles 29:34-35
However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been. / Furthermore, the burnt offerings were abundant, along with the fat of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. So the service of the house of the LORD was established.

Deuteronomy 18:5-7
For the LORD your God has chosen Levi and his sons out of all your tribes to stand and minister in His name for all time. / Now if a Levite moves from any town of residence throughout Israel and comes in all earnestness to the place the LORD will choose, / then he shall serve in the name of the LORD his God like all his fellow Levites who stand there before the LORD.
Exodus 28:1
“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

Hebrews 5:4
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

Exodus 32:26-29
So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. / He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. …

Malachi 2:4-7
Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. / True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. …

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.


Treasury of Scripture

Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.

Numbers 1:49-53
Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: …

Numbers 2:17,33
Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards…

Numbers 8:6-15,22-26
Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them…

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Numbers 3
1. The sons of Aaron
5. The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn
14. Are numbered by their families
21. The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites
27. Of the Kohathites
33. Of the Merarites
38. The place and charge of Moses and Aaron
40. The firstborn are freed by the Levites
44. The balances are refunded












Bring the tribe of Levi
The tribe of Levi was set apart by God for special service in the tabernacle, a role that would later extend to the temple. This separation is rooted in the events of Exodus 32, where the Levites stood with Moses against idolatry. Their dedication to God’s service is a recurring theme, emphasizing holiness and obedience. The Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Numbers 18:20-24).

and present them to Aaron the priest
Aaron, the brother of Moses, was appointed as the first high priest. Presenting the Levites to Aaron signifies their role as assistants to the priesthood, highlighting the hierarchical structure within the religious duties of Israel. This presentation underscores the importance of order and divine appointment in worship practices. Aaron's priesthood is a type of Christ, who is our High Priest, interceding on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14-16).

to assist him
The Levites were tasked with various duties related to the tabernacle, including its transportation, maintenance, and protection. Their assistance was crucial for the functioning of the tabernacle, which was the center of Israelite worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. This assistance prefigures the role of believers as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), serving God and supporting the ministry of reconciliation through Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Tribe of Levi
The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, set apart for religious duties and service to God. They were not given a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but were instead dedicated to serving in the tabernacle and later the temple.

2. Aaron the Priest
Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest of Israel. He was chosen by God to lead the priestly duties and serve as a mediator between God and the people.

3. The Tabernacle
The central place of worship for the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a portable sanctuary where God's presence dwelled among His people.

4. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the law from God on Mount Sinai. He was responsible for conveying God's instructions to the people, including the organization of the Levites.

5. The Wilderness Journey
The period during which the Israelites traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land, a time of testing, instruction, and preparation for entering Canaan.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Service in God's Kingdom
The Levites were set apart for service, reminding us that God calls each believer to serve in His kingdom according to their gifts and calling.

The Role of Support in Ministry
Just as the Levites assisted Aaron, we are called to support those in leadership and ministry, recognizing that every role is vital to the functioning of the body of Christ.

Holiness and Dedication
The Levites' dedication to God’s service underscores the call for believers to live holy and dedicated lives, set apart for God's purposes.

God's Sovereign Choice
The selection of the Levites illustrates God's sovereign choice and purpose, encouraging us to trust in His plans and timing for our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 3:6?

2. How does Numbers 3:6 emphasize the Levites' role in serving Aaron the priest?

3. What responsibilities were given to the Levites in Numbers 3:6, and why?

4. How does Numbers 3:6 connect to the New Testament concept of spiritual service?

5. In what ways can we serve our church leaders, as Levites served Aaron?

6. How can Numbers 3:6 inspire us to support our church community today?

7. Why were the Levites chosen for service in Numbers 3:6?

8. How does Numbers 3:6 reflect God's organizational structure for worship?

9. What is the significance of the Levites' role in Numbers 3:6?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 3?

11. What defines clergy and laity?

12. Who was Ithamar in the Bible?

13. Who was Korah in the Bible?

14. Joshua 13:33 – Does the unique inheritance of Levi (no land portion) imply internal contradictions with God’s earlier covenant commands regarding tribal allocations?
What Does Numbers 3:6 Mean
Bring the tribe of Levi

God’s instruction, “Bring the tribe of Levi,” (Numbers 3:6) singles out one entire tribe for a sacred purpose. Earlier the LORD had already claimed the firstborn of Israel for Himself (Exodus 13:2), yet He substitutes the Levites in their place (Numbers 3:12-13). This calling is rooted in events like Exodus 32:26-29, where the sons of Levi rallied to Moses’ side in zeal for the LORD. Because of that faithfulness, Deuteronomy 10:8 states, “At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to bless in His name, to this day.” By commanding the entire tribe to come forward, God underlines that their identity, inheritance, and livelihood are now bound up in worship and service rather than land or warfare (Numbers 1:49-53).


Present them

The phrase “present them” (Numbers 3:6) points to a public, ceremonial hand-off. Leviticus 8:6 records a similar moment when Moses “presented Aaron and his sons.” Later, Numbers 8:10-11 prescribes that the Israelites lay hands on the Levites while Aaron “presents the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the Israelites.” Presentation means consecration: setting people apart so that every Israelite can see God’s choice. In New-Covenant terms, believers echo this idea when we “present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). The movement from common life to holy service is always visible and intentional.


To Aaron the priest

The Levites are not an independent ministry. They belong “to Aaron the priest” (Numbers 3:6), the man God had already installed as high priest in Exodus 28:1. Aaron represents mediation and atonement, and the Levites’ submission to him protects Israel from unauthorized worship (Numbers 18:1-3). When Korah challenged this order, the earth swallowed him (Numbers 16), underscoring that priestly authority comes from God, not ambition. Hebrews 5:4 echoes the same principle: “No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God.” The Levites, therefore, model obedient cooperation under God-appointed leadership.


To assist him

The goal is practical: “to assist him” (Numbers 3:6). Numbers 3:7-8 immediately lists their tasks:

• guarding the Tent of Meeting and its furnishings,

• ministering “on behalf of the Israelites,”

• performing “all the duties of the tabernacle.”

These jobs range from carrying heavy frames (Numbers 4), to singing (1 Chronicles 23:30), to teaching God’s law (2 Chronicles 17:8-9). Without this support, Aaron’s priestly ministry would stall and the camp would face wrath (Numbers 1:53). In the New Testament, a similar pattern appears when the apostles appoint deacons so they can “devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). God values teamwork where each role frees others to fulfill theirs.


summary

Numbers 3:6 shows God calling, consecrating, ordering, and equipping. He selects an entire tribe, publicly sets them apart, places them under the high priest’s authority, and assigns them concrete work that safeguards worship. The verse illustrates how divine calling is communal, visible, structured, and practical—principles that still shape faithful service today.

Verse 6. - Bring the tribe of Levi near. Not by any outward act of presentation, but by assigning to them solemnly the duties following. The expression is often used of servants coming to receive orders from their masters.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Bring
הַקְרֵב֙ (haq·rêḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

the tribe
מַטֵּ֣ה (maṭ·ṭêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

of Levi
לֵוִ֔י (lê·wî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

and present
וְֽהַעֲמַדְתָּ֣ (wə·ha·‘ă·maḏ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

them to
לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

Aaron
אַהֲרֹ֣ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֑ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

to assist him.
וְשֵׁרְת֖וּ (wə·šê·rə·ṯū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to


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OT Law: Numbers 3:6 Bring the tribe of Levi near (Nu Num.)
Numbers 3:5
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