And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

NUMBERS 18:6KJV
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Numbers 18:6 (KJV)

What does Numbers 18:6 mean?

Numbers 18:6 says that God has selected the Levites from the people of Israel and given them to Aaron and his sons to serve at the tabernacle. Their work supports the care of the place where Israel gathers before the LORD.

God addresses Aaron, whose family had responsibility for the tabernacle. Calling the Levites a “gift” pictures their service as something God provides, rather than workers Aaron chooses for himself. The phrase “for the LORD” also shows that their service is directed toward God.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 18:6

  • “gift” — מַתָּנָה (mattanah): This word means something given. Here, the gift consists of people assigned to help Aaron’s family.
  • “service” — עֲבֹדָה (ʿavodah): This word can mean work or service. In this verse, it refers to the duties connected with the tabernacle.

Why Numbers 18:6 matters

  • The Levites have a place within Israel as well as a distinct assignment. God calls them “your brethren” and says they were taken “from among the children of Israel.”
  • The Levites’ help has boundaries. Verse 7 gives Aaron and his sons responsibility for the priestly duties at the altar and inside the curtain, distinguishing those duties from the service mentioned in verse 6.

Where else these words appear

“gift” Hebrew H4979 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 25:6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
  • Deuteronomy 16:17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

“service” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:26 And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.