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19 but in order that they will live[a] and not die when they approach the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons will go in and appoint[b] each man[c] to his service and his responsibility. 20 But the Kohathites[d] are not to go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, or they will die.”

The Service of the Gershonites

21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses:

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 4:19 tn The word order is different in the Hebrew text: Do this…and they will live. Consequently, the verb “and they will live” is a perfect tense with a vav (ו) consecutive to express the future consequence of “doing this” for them.
  2. Numbers 4:19 tn The perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive continues the instruction for Aaron.
  3. Numbers 4:19 tn The distributive sense is obtained by the repetition, “a man” and “a man.”
  4. Numbers 4:20 tn In the Hebrew text the verse has as the subject “they,” but to avoid confusion the antecedent has been clarified in the translation.

19 So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things,(A) do this for them: Aaron and his sons(B) are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.(C) 20 But the Kohathites must not go in to look(D) at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

The Gershonites

21 The Lord said to Moses,

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