Numbers 18:5
New International Version
“You are to be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the altar, so that my wrath will not fall on the Israelites again.

New Living Translation
“You yourselves must perform the sacred duties inside the sanctuary and at the altar. If you follow these instructions, the LORD’s anger will never again blaze against the people of Israel.

English Standard Version
And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again.

King James Bible
And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.

New King James Version
And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, that there may be no more wrath on the children of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
So you shall perform the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, so that there will no longer be wrath on the sons of Israel.

NASB 1995
“So you shall attend to the obligations of the sanctuary and the obligations of the altar, so that there will no longer be wrath on the sons of Israel.

NASB 1977
“So you shall attend to the obligations of the sanctuary and the obligations of the altar, that there may no longer be wrath on the sons of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
So you shall keep the responsibility of the sanctuary and the responsibility of the altar, so that there will no longer be wrath on the sons of Israel.

Amplified Bible
So you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar [of burnt offering and the altar of incense], so that there will no longer be wrath on the Israelites [as with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram].

Christian Standard Bible
“You are to guard the sanctuary and the altar so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are to guard the sanctuary and the altar so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again.

American Standard Version
And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar; that there be wrath no more upon the children of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Follow these instructions, so I won't become angry and punish the Israelites ever again.

English Revised Version
And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be wrath no more upon the children of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"You must be in charge of the work done at the holy place and at the altar. Then I won't show my anger against the Israelites again.

Good News Translation
You and your sons alone must fulfill the responsibilities for the Holy Place and the altar, so that my anger will not again break out against the people of Israel.

International Standard Version
Take care of the sanctuary and the services of the altar so that there won't be any more wrath on the Israelis.

Majority Standard Bible
And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again.

NET Bible
You will be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the care of the altar, so that there will be no more wrath on the Israelites.

New Heart English Bible
"You shall perform the duty of the sanctuary, and the duty of the altar; that there be no more wrath on the children of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.

World English Bible
“You shall perform the duty of the sanctuary and the duty of the altar, that there be no more wrath on the children of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have kept the charge of the holy place and the charge of the altar, and there is no more wrath against the sons of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
and ye have kept the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar, and there is no more wrath against the sons of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye watched the watches of the holy place, and the watches of the altar; and anger shall no more be upon the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Watch ye in the charge of the sanctuary, and in the ministry of the altar: lest indignation rise upon the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Watch over the care of the Sanctuary, and over the ministry of the altar, lest an indignation may rise over the sons of Israel.

New American Bible
You shall perform the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, that wrath may not fall again upon the Israelites.

New Revised Standard Version
You yourselves shall perform the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, so that wrath may never again come upon the Israelites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall have charge of the sanctuary, and charge of the altar, that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And keep guard of the Holy and the guard of the altar and there will not be wrath again against the children of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And ye shall keep the charge of the holy things, and the charge of the altar, that there be wrath no more upon the children of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall keep the charges of the holy things, and the charges of the altar, and so there shall not be anger among the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Duties of Priests and Levites
4They 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. 5And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again. 6Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting.…

Cross References
Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

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.

1 Corinthians 9:13
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings?

Malachi 2:7
For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.

Deuteronomy 10:8
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.

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.

Leviticus 10:8-11
Then the LORD said to Aaron, / “You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come. / You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, ...

2 Chronicles 13:10-11
But as for us, the LORD is our God. We have not forsaken Him; the priests who minister to the LORD are sons of Aaron, and the Levites attend to their duties. / Every morning and every evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the rows of showbread on the ceremonially clean table, and every evening they light the lamps of the gold lampstand. We are carrying out the requirements of the LORD our God, while you have forsaken Him.

Ezekiel 44:15-16
But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD. / They alone shall enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to minister before Me. They will keep My charge.

Nehemiah 12:44-47
And on that same day men were appointed over the rooms that housed the supplies, contributions, firstfruits, and tithes. The portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites were gathered into these storerooms from the fields of the villages, because Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who were serving. / They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, along with the singers and gatekeepers, as David and his son Solomon had prescribed. / For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. ...

1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

Romans 15:16
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

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.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20
All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: / that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. / Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.

Leviticus 16:32-33
The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments / and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly.


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more on the children of Israel.

and ye.

Numbers 8:2
Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.

Exodus 27:21
In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

Exodus 30:7
And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

no wrath

Numbers 8:19
And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

Numbers 16:46
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

Jeremiah 23:15
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

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Altar Attend Care Charge Children Duties Duty Holy Israel Israelites Kept Longer Obligations Responsible Sanctuary Wrath
Numbers 18
1. The charge of the priests and Levites
8. The priests, portion
21. The Levites,
25. The heave offering to the priests out of the Levites' portion














And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar
This phrase emphasizes the responsibilities of the Levitical priests, who were tasked with maintaining the sacredness of the sanctuary and altar. The sanctuary, or tabernacle, was the dwelling place of God among His people, and the altar was central to the sacrificial system. The priests' duties included offering sacrifices, maintaining the holy implements, and ensuring the purity of worship. This role is a precursor to the New Testament understanding of Jesus as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), who fulfills and perfects the sacrificial system.

so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again
This part of the verse highlights the consequences of failing to uphold the sanctity of the sanctuary and altar. The wrath of God had previously fallen on the Israelites due to disobedience and improper worship (e.g., Numbers 16:46-50, the rebellion of Korah). The priests' faithful service was crucial in mediating between God and the people, preventing divine judgment. This reflects the broader biblical theme of atonement and intercession, ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who bore God's wrath on behalf of humanity (Romans 5:9).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron and His Sons
The primary recipients of the instructions in Numbers 18, Aaron and his sons were appointed as priests to serve in the sanctuary and at the altar.

2. The Sanctuary
The sacred place where the Israelites worshiped God, and where the priests performed their duties.

3. The Altar
A central element in Israelite worship, where sacrifices were made to God as a means of atonement and worship.

4. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were to be protected from God's wrath through the faithful service of the priests.

5. God's Wrath
A consequence of disobedience and neglect of God's commands, which the priests were to help prevent through their service.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The priests' duties were not just ceremonial but were crucial in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people. Obedience to God's commands is essential in our lives to maintain our relationship with Him.

The Role of Intercession
Just as the priests interceded for the Israelites, we are called to intercede for others in prayer, standing in the gap and seeking God's mercy and guidance.

Preventing Wrath through Faithfulness
Faithful service and adherence to God's instructions can prevent negative consequences. In our lives, faithfulness to God's Word can protect us from spiritual pitfalls.

The Call to Holiness
The priests were set apart for holy duties. As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness, being set apart for His purposes.

The Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus is our High Priest who perfectly fulfilled the duties of the sanctuary and altar, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. Our faith in Him ensures that we are shielded from God's wrath.(5, 6) And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary . . . --See Numbers 8:19.

Verse 5. - That there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. As there had been ill the case of Korah and his company, and of the many thousands who had fallen in consequence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So you shall attend
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֗ם (ū·šə·mar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

to the obligations
מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת (miš·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

of the sanctuary
הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ (haq·qō·ḏeš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

[and]
מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת (miš·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

of the altar,
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

that wrath
קֶ֖צֶף (qe·ṣep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7110: A splinter, rage, strife

may not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

fall
יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

again.
ע֛וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more


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OT Law: Numbers 18:5 You shall perform the duty (Nu Num.)
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