Numbers-3-1-13

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago and of today have, and are shamefully disobeying this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Numbers-3:1-13”

Part One.

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Numbers chapter 3 shifts from general census and camp order to the special appointment of Aaron’s family and the tribe of Levi. The chapter explains who serves at the altar, who supports that service, and why אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) set the Levites apart. Key theme: אֱלֹהִים separates people for worship and service because of his saving acts and his holiness. This passage shows how אֱלֹהִים organizes sacred work: leaders who minister at the altar and a dedicated group who sustain that ministry. It teaches ‘reverence’, ‘order’, and ‘the cost of serving אֱלֹהִים - Elohim faithfully.

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Be’midbar - Numbers Chapter 3; verses 1-13: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah).

1. “Now these are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that יְהוָה - the LORD spoke with Moses in mount Sinai.

2. And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the first-born, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

3. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests that were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.

4. And Nadab and Abihu died before יְהוָה - the LORD, when they offered strange fire before יְהוָה - the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children; and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the presence of Aaron their father.

5. And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

6. ‘Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

7. And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle.

8. And they shall keep all the furniture of the tent of meeting, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.

9. And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons; they are wholly given unto him from the children of Israel.

10. And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, that they may keep their priesthood; and the common man that draweth nigh shall be put to death’.

11, And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

12. ‘And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every first-born that openeth the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be Mine;

13. for all the first-born are Mine: on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto Me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast, Mine they shall be: I am יְהוָה - the LORD’”.

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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ item, and the explanations:

Verse 1. Aaron and his sons are named.

Explanation: The chapter opens by identifying ‘Aaron and his sons’ as the priestly line. Naming establishes legitimate authority and continuity for sacrificial duties.

Rabbinical point: Leadership in worship is rooted in identity and calling!

Verse 2. Nadab and Abihu mentioned.

Explanation: Two of Aaron’s sons are named who later die for improper worship (see later narrative). Their inclusion here foreshadows the seriousness of priestly responsibility. Rabbinical point: Proximity to אֱלֹהִים brings privilege and responsibility; carelessness in worship has consequences.

Verse 3. Eleazar and Ithamar remain.

Explanation: After the deaths, Eleazar and Ithamar continue the priestly services. The community must adapt while maintaining the sanctity of the office.

Rabbinical point: When leaders fail or fall, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s work continues through faithful successors.

Verse 4. Aaron’s sons’ duties summarized.

Explanation: The text clarifies that Aaron’s surviving sons will perform priestly functions offering ‘incense’, ‘handling sacrifices’, and maintaining the ‘sanctuary’s rites’.

Application: Worship requires trained, consecrated priests who focus on the Holy tasks.

Verse 5. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s command about the Levites.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים instructs Moses to present the Levites to Aaron and his sons as helpers. This is a Divine appointment, not a human arrangement.

Theological point: Service in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s house is assigned by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s will.

Verse 6. Levites taken instead of firstborn.

Explanation: The Levites are set apart to serve in place of Israel’s firstborn. This substitution recalls אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s claim on the firstborn at the Exodus.

Theological point: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s saving acts create obligations of service and stewardship.

Verse 7. Levites’ duties described.

Explanation: The Levites are to attend the tabernacle, carry its furnishings, and perform tasks that free the priests for sacrificial ministry. Their work is practical but essential.

Rabbinical point: ‘Visible’, ‘practical service’ is sacred when done for אֱלֹהִים.

Verse 8. Levites’ age and service terms.

Explanation: The chapter later specifies age limits and organization for Levites (this verse begins that section). The point here is that service is structured and regulated.

Practical point: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s work benefits from clear roles and training.

Verse 9. Consecration of the Levites.

Explanation: The Levites are consecrated set apart so they belong to יְהוָה - the LORD and to the priests’ service. Consecration involves ‘separation’, ‘dedication’, and ‘purpose’.

Application: Dedication to אֱלֹהִים often means a change in status and daily priorities.

Verse 10. יְהוָה - the LORD’s claim on the firstborn restated.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים reiterates that the firstborn belong to him because of the events in Egypt; the Levites serve as their substitute. This ties worship practice to Israel’s history of deliverance.

Theological point: Memory of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s saving acts shapes worship structure.

Verse 11. Reason for substitution explained.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים explains the substitution explicitly: the firstborn were claimed at the Exodus, so the Levites now serve in their stead. This is both symbolic and functional.

Rabbinical point: Worship arrangements often memorialize אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s past mercies.

Verse 12. Levites given to Aaron.

Explanation: The Levites are formally assigned to Aaron and his sons to assist in the tabernacle work. This secures a dependable workforce for sacred service.

Practical point: Healthy ministry depends on both leaders and those who support them.

Verse 13. Summary statement of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s choice.

Explanation: The chapter closes this opening section by reaffirming that the Levites are taken in place of the firstborn because יְהוָה - the LORD claimed the firstborn at the Exodus. The substitution is final and Divinely ordained.

Application: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s choices for service are rooted in his purposes and past acts; they deserve respect and obedience.

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My Closing Message:

Main application אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s deliverance creates duty. The Exodus claim on the firstborn becomes the reason Israel must dedicate people to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s service. By אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s grace they are called to serve in visible leadership, others in sustaining roles. Both are holy and necessary.

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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