And 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.
You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they will serve in their role as priests. Any outsider who comes too close to the sacred area will be put to death.
God is establishing that only Aaron and his descendants can serve as priests, and anyone else who tries to approach the holy place will face death.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, which records the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, God was organizing the tribes and assigning specific roles to maintain order and holiness in the camp. He specifically chose Aaron and his sons from the tribe of Levi to serve as priests, handling the sacred duties of the tabernacle and representing the people before God. This appointment emphasized the exclusivity of the priesthood to prevent unauthorized access, which could result in severe consequences to protect the community's relationship with God.
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