Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
So you and your sons must take care of all the priestly duties at the altar and behind the curtain in the holy place, and you must serve there. I have given you the priesthood as a gift of service. Any unauthorized person who comes too close will be put to death.
God is telling Aaron that the priesthood is a sacred gift given specifically to him and his family, and anyone else who tries to perform these duties will face severe consequences.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Moses, God was establishing the structure of Israelite worship in the wilderness after the Exodus, specifically assigning the priesthood to Aaron and his sons from the Levite tribe to handle sacred duties like the altar and the inner sanctuary. This designation emphasized God's holiness and the need for order in religious practices, ensuring that only authorized priests performed these roles to avoid defiling the sacred space. The severe penalty for outsiders approaching these areas served as a warning to maintain boundaries and respect divine instructions.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.