The Church Fathers on this verse

Numbers 18:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And the Levites shall watch to do thy commands, and about all the works of the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary nor the altar, lest both they die, and you also perish with them.

Douay-Rheims

וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙ מִֽשְׁמַרְתְּךָ֔ וּמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת כָּל־הָאֹ֑הֶל אַךְ֩ אֶל־כְּלֵ֨י הַקֹּ֤דֶשׁ וְאֶל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ לֹ֣א יִקְרָ֔בוּ וְלֹֽא־יָמֻ֥תוּ גַם־הֵ֖ם גַּם־אַתֶּֽם׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

The Levites have been designated to serve as assistants, acting as attendants to the priestly office. They are tasked with the responsibility to 'be on guard for him,' referring specifically to Aaron, 'concerning all the matters of the tabernacle of the congregation, and to safeguard the children of Israel.' This indicates their role in supporting the priests. Aaron, along with his sons, has been assigned oversight of the tabernacle: 'and let them keep' all that pertains to the tabernacle of the congregation, including the inner veil, which symbolizes the sacred and mystical aspects, and everything typical for those who approach the Divine altar. This serves as a representation of Christ, whom the Father has appointed over His household, 'His house being us' (Heb. 3:6).

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.