Question 1

What does it mean that Moses and Aaron were “keeping the charge of the sanctuary”?

Accepted Answer

“Keeping the charge of the sanctuary” means Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were responsible to watch over the holy place and its service. They guarded the entrance, made sure only those whom God allowed could come near, and oversaw the work that happened there. This protected the people, because coming too close in the wrong way brought death. Their role was like a mix of spiritual leaders and gatekeepers, caring for God’s dwelling and for the safety of the whole camp.

Question 2

Why were Moses, Aaron, and his sons camped on the east side of the tabernacle?

Accepted Answer

They camped on the east side because that was the front of the tabernacle, where the entrance to the court was. This placed Moses, Aaron, and the priests between the tabernacle and the rest of the camp. From there they could watch over who came near, lead in worship, and be ready for their duties. Their position showed their special responsibility and gave a kind of guard around God’s dwelling, completing the square of Levite camps on all sides.

Question 3

Why does the passage say a stranger who comes near shall be put to death?

Accepted Answer

“Stranger” here means anyone not appointed by God to serve in the sanctuary, even if they were an Israelite. God’s presence among the people was holy, and he set clear boundaries about who could enter and serve. If someone ignored those limits and came near to the holy place without being a priest, the penalty was death, either by human judgment or by God’s own hand. This showed how serious God’s holiness is and warned the people not to treat his presence lightly.

Question 4

What is the meaning of the 22,000 Levites counted from a month old and upward?

Accepted Answer

The 22,000 Levites counted include all males from one month old and up, not only those old enough to work. This shows that the whole tribe, even infants, was considered set apart for God’s service. Later, only a portion would actually do the physical work, but God still counted every male as belonging to him. Their total also connects with the number of firstborn males in Israel, since the Levites were taken in place of the firstborn to belong to the Lord.

Question 5

Why are there number differences when adding the Levite families together?

Accepted Answer

If you add the separate family numbers in this chapter, you reach 22,300, but the total given is 22,000. This has been explained by saying that about 300 of those Levites were themselves firstborn. Since they already belonged to God as firstborn, they could not take the place of other firstborn Israelites in the exchange that happens later. So they were left out of the final total used for that purpose, leaving 22,000 counted in the sum here.

Question 6

What does this passage show about God’s view of holiness and boundaries?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God’s holiness is not casual. He set clear places for each group around the tabernacle and gave specific tasks to each family. Moses, Aaron, and the priests guarded the entrance so no one would approach God’s dwelling in a careless or proud way. The warning about death for the stranger who comes near underlines that God decides how he is to be approached. At the same time, he provides priests and Levites so the people can still draw near in the way he has given.

Question 7

How does counting Levites from a month old relate to God’s care for his people?

Accepted Answer

Counting Levites from one month old shows that God saw even the very young as belonging to him and included in his service. They could not work yet, but they were still counted as his. This reminds readers that worth in God’s sight is not only about what a person can do. The Levite babies were part of the tribe set apart for God, just as much as the grown men who carried boards or guarded the sanctuary. God’s care and claim reach from the earliest age.

Numbers 3:38

¶ But 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.

Moses and Aaron

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Numbers 3:38

¶ But 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.

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Moses and Aaron

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