One verse. Three ways to understand.
But those who camp in front of the tabernacle toward the east, right in front of the tent of meeting on the eastern side, will be Moses and Aaron and his sons. They are responsible for taking care of the sanctuary on behalf of all the Israelites. Any outsider who comes too close will be put to death.
This verse explains that Moses, Aaron, and his sons had the special responsibility of guarding and caring for God's sacred tent, and unauthorized people who approached it would face death.
These are AI-assisted adaptations, not separate Bible editions. Compare them with the KJV source and read our methodology. How these readings are made →
Read the KJV source
King James Version · EnglishBut those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.Ask the AI Assistant
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📚 Historical Context
In the wilderness journey of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, God was organizing the tribes around the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that represented His presence among them. Moses, Aaron, and his sons were specifically assigned to camp on the east side to guard the sacred space and ensure that only authorized priests handled holy duties, as this maintained order and protected the community from divine judgment. This arrangement reflected God's emphasis on holiness and the consequences of approaching sacred things improperly.