The Charge of the Priests and Levites

Numbers 18

The Lord sets out the responsibilities and portions belonging to Aaron and his sons as priests, including the firstfruits, wave offerings, and redemption of the firstborn, and gives the Levites the tithes of Israel as their inheritance since they receive no land. The Levites in turn are told to offer a tithe of their tithes to Aaron the priest.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonWHEREUPON the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, Thou, and thy sons, and the house of thy father, shall bear the sins of the holy things; and thou, and thy sons, shall bear the sins of your priesthood;

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house shall bear the sins of the holy things, and thou and thy sons shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Ἀαρὼν, λέγων, σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός σου λήψεσθε τὰς ἀμαρτίας τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου λήψεσθε τὰς ἁμαρτίας τῆς ἱερατείας ὑμῶν.

KJVAnd the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Aaron: ‘Thou and thy sons and thy fathers’ house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

Thomsontake therefore to thyself thy brethren, the tribe of Levi, the community of thy father, and let them be joined to thee, and perform holy service for thee. While thou, and thy sons with thee, are before the tabernacle of the testimony,

BrentonAnd take to thyself thy brethren the tribe of Levi, the family of thy father, and let them be joined to thee, and let them minister to thee; and thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.

GreekΚαὶ τοὺς ἀδελφούς σου φυλὴν Λευὶ, δῆμον τοῦ πατρός σου προσαγάγου πρὸς σεαυτὸν, καὶ προστεθήτωσάν σοι, καὶ λειτουργείτωσάν σοι· καὶ σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου μετὰ σοῦ ἀπέναντι τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου.

KJVAnd thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.

JPSAnd thy brethren also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou near with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee, thou and thy sons with thee being before the tent of the testimony.

Thomsonthey shall keep guard for thee, and guard the tabernacle of the testimony: but let them not approach to the holy utensils, nor to the altar, lest they die, and you with them.

BrentonAnd they shall keep thy charges, and the charges of the tabernacle; only they shall not approach the holy vessels and the altar, so both they and you shall not die.

GreekΚαὶ φυλάξονται τὰς φυλακάς σου, καὶ τὰς φυλακὰς τῆς σκηνῆς. πλὴν πρὸς τὰ σκεύη τὰ ἅγια, καὶ πρὸς τὸ θυσιαστήριον οὐ προσελεύσονται, καὶ οὐκ ἀποθανοῦνται καὶ οὗτοι καὶ ὑμεῖς.

KJVAnd they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.

JPSAnd they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the Tent; only they shall not come nigh unto the holy furniture and unto the altar, that they die not, neither they, nor ye.

ThomsonThey shall be joined with thee, and shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony, according to all the holy services of the tabernacle, and none of another family shall come to thee.

BrentonAnd they shall be joined to thee, and shall keep the charges of the tabernacle of witness, in all the services of the tabernacle; and a stranger shall not approach to thee.

GreekΚαὶ προστεθήσονται πρὸς σέ, καὶ φυλάξονται τὰς φυλακὰς τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου, κατὰ πάσας τὰς λειτουργίας τῆς σκηνῆς· καὶ ὁ ἀλλογενὴς οὐ προσελεύσεται πρὸς σέ.

KJVAnd they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.

JPS—

ThomsonAnd you shall keep the charge of the holy things, and of the altar, so that there shall not be wrath among the children of Israel.

BrentonAnd ye shall keep the charges of the holy things, and the charges of the altar, and so there shall not be anger among the children of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ φυλάξεσθε τὰς φυλακὰς τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ τὰς φυλακὰς τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται θυμὸς ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.

JPSAnd ye shall keep the charge of the holy things, and the charge of the altar, that there be wrath no more upon the children of Israel.

ThomsonI have indeed taken your brethren, the Levites, from among the children of Israel, as a gift presented to the Lord to perform the services of the tabernacle of the testimony;

BrentonAnd I have taken your brethren the Levites out of the midst of the children of Israel, a present given to the Lord, to minister in the services of the tabernacle of witness.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγὼ εἴληφα τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὑμῶν τοὺς Λευίτας ἐκ μέσου τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ δόμα δεδομένον Κυρίῳ, λειτουργεῖν τὰς λειτουργίας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel; for you they are given as a gift unto the LORD, to do the service of the tent of meeting.

Thomsontherefore thou, and thy sons with thee, shall keep your priesthood, as far as the altar is concerned, and what is within the veil; and you shall perform these services as a privilege of your priesthood; and anyone of another family who approacheth shall be put to death.

BrentonAnd thou and thy sons after thee shall keep up your priestly ministration, according to the whole manner of the altar, and that which is within the veil; and ye shall minister in the services as the office of your priesthood; and the stranger that comes near shall die.

GreekΚαὶ σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου μετὰ σοῦ διατηρήσετε τὴν ἱερατείαν ὑμῶν, κατὰ πάντα τρόπον τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου, καὶ τὸ ἔνδοθεν τοῦ καταπετάσματος· καὶ λειτουργήσετε τὰς λειτουργίας δόμα τῆς ἱερατείας ὑμῶν· καὶ ὁ ἀλλογενὴς ὁ προσπορευόμενος ἀποθανεῖται.

KJVTherefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

JPSAnd thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priesthood in everything that pertaineth to the altar, and to that within the veil; and ye shall serve; I give you the priesthood as a service of gift; and the common man that draweth nigh shall be put to death.’

ThomsonMoreover the Lord said to Aaron, Behold I have given you the charge of the separated portions taken from all the dedications made to me by the children of Israel. To thee I have given them for a reward; and to thy sons after thee.

BrentonAnd the Lord said to Aaron, And, behold, I have given you the charge of the first-fruits of all things consecrated to me by the children of Israel; and I have given them to thee as an honour, and to thy sons after thee for a perpetual ordinance.

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Ἀαρὼν, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ δέδωκα ὑμῖν τὴν διατήρησιν τῶν ἀπαρχῶν ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἡγιασμένων μοι παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· σοὶ δέδωκα αὐτὰ εἰς γέρας, καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς σου μετὰ σὲ νόμιμον αἰώνιον.

KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.

JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Aaron: ‘And I, behold, I have given thee the charge of My heave-offerings; even of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel unto thee have I given them for a consecrated portion, and to thy sons, as a due for ever.

ThomsonLet this therefore be your perpetual due from the hallowed dedications of the homage offerings—from all their gifts, and from all their sacrifices, and from all their trespass offerings, and from all their sin offerings. Whatever they give me, a portion of the hallowed things shall be for thee and thy sons.

BrentonAnd let this be to you from all the holy things that are consecrated to me, even the burnt-offerings, from all their gifts, and from all their sacrifices, and from every trespass-offering of theirs, and from all their sin-offerings, whatever things they give to me of all their holy things, they shall be thine and thy sons'.

GreekΚαὶ τοῦτο ἔστω ὑμῖν ἀπὸ τῶν ἡγιασμένων ἁγίων τῶν καρπωμάτων, ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν δώρων αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν θυσιασμάτων αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ πάσης πλημμελείας αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ πασῶν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν, ὅσα ἀποδιδόασί μοι ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, σοὶ ἔσται καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς σου.

KJVThis shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

JPSThis shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every offering of theirs, even every meal-offering of theirs, and every sin-offering of theirs, and every guilt-offering of theirs, which they may render unto Me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

ThomsonIn the holy place of the holies you shall eat them. Every male, namely, thou and thy sons shall eat them.

BrentonIn the most holy place shall ye eat them; every male shall eat them, thou and thy sons: they shall be holy to thee.

GreekἘν τῷ ἁγίῳ τῶν ἁγίων φάγεσθε αὐτά· πᾶν ἀρσενικὸν φάγεται αὐτά· σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου· ἅγια ἔσται σοι.

KJVIn the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.

JPSIn a most holy place shalt thou eat thereof; every male may eat thereof; it shall be holy unto thee.

ThomsonThey shall be hallowed to thee. You shall have also a portion from the dedications which the Israelites make by setting apart, and from all the dedications made by being laid on hands—These I have given to thee, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee, as an everlasting due. Everyone in thy house who is clean may eat these.

BrentonAnd this shall be to you of the first-fruits of their gifts, of all the wave-offerings of the children of Israel; to thee have I given them and to thy sons and thy daughters with thee, a perpetual ordinance; every clean person in thy house shall eat them.

GreekΚαὶ τοῦτο ἔσται ὑμῖν ἀπαρχῶν δομάτων αὐτῶν, ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐπιθεμάτων τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· σοὶ δέδωκα αὐτὰ καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς σου καὶ ταῖς θυγατράσι σου μετὰ σοῦ, νόμιμον αἰώνιον· πᾶς καθαρὸς ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου ἔδεται αὐτά.

KJVAnd this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.

JPSAnd this is thine: the heave-offering of their gift, even all the wave-offerings of the children of Israel; I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, as a due for ever; every one that is clean in thy house may eat thereof.

ThomsonEvery dedication of oil, and every dedication of wine, every dedication of food of all kinds which they give to the Lord, these I have given to thee.

BrentonEvery first-offering of oil, and every first-offering of wine, their first-fruits of corn, whatsoever they may give to the Lord, to thee have I given them.

GreekΠᾶσα ἀπαρχὴ ἐλαίου, καὶ πᾶσα ἀπαρχὴ οἴνου, σίτου ἀπαρχὴ αὐτῶν ὅσα ἂν δῶσι τῷ Κυρίῳ, σοὶ δέδωκα αὐτά.

KJVAll the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.

JPSAll the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the corn, the first part of them which they give unto the LORD, to thee have I given them.

ThomsonAll the first fruits in their land, which they bring for the Lord, shall belong to thee. Everyone in thy house who is clean may eat these.

BrentonAll the first-fruits that are in their land, whatsoever they shall offer to the Lord, shall be thine: every clean person in thy house shall eat them.

GreekΤὰ πρωτογεννήματα πάντα ὅσα ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν, ὅσα ἂν ἐνέγκωσι Κυρίῳ, σοὶ ἔσται· πᾶς καθαρὸς ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου ἔδεται αὐτά.

KJVAnd whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it.

JPSThe first-ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thy house may eat thereof.

ThomsonEvery thing which is dedicated by the children of Israel shall belong to thee.

BrentonEvery devoted thing among the children of Israel shall be thine.

GreekΠᾶν ἀνατεθεματισμένον ἐν υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, σοὶ ἔσται.

KJVEvery thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.

JPSEvery thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.

ThomsonAnd every firstling of all flesh, which they bring for the Lord, whether of man or beast, shall belong to thee: but the first-born of man shall be redeemed, and thou shalt cause them to redeem the firstlings of all cattle which are not clean.

BrentonAnd every thing that opens the womb of all flesh, whatsoever they bring to the Lord, whether man or beast, shall be thine: only the first-born of men shall be surely redeemed, and thou shalt redeem the first-born of unclean cattle.

GreekΚαὶ πᾶν διανοῖγον μήτραν ἀπὸ πάσης σαρκὸς, ὅσα προσφέρουσι Κυρίῳ ἀπὸ ἀνθρώπου ἕως κτήνους, σοὶ ἔσται· ἀλλʼ ἢ λύτροις λυτρωθήσεται τὰ πρωτότοκα τῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ τὰ πρωτότοκα τῶν κτηνῶν τῶν ἀκαθάρτων λυτρώσῃ.

KJVEvery thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.

JPSEvery thing that openeth the womb, of all flesh which they offer unto the LORD, both of man and beast, shall be thine; howbeit the first-born of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.

ThomsonNow the redemption of the former, at a month old, shall be the set price of five shekels according to the holy shekel, which is twenty oboli:

BrentonAnd the redemption of them shall be from a month old; their valuation of five shekels—it is twenty oboli according to the holy shekel.

GreekΚαὶ ἡ λύτρωσις αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ μηνιαίου· ἡ συντίμησις πέντε σίκλων, κατὰ τὸν σίκλον τὸν ἅγιον εἴκοσι ὀβολοί εἰσι.

KJVAnd those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.

JPSAnd their redemption-money—from a month old shalt thou redeem them—shall be, according to thy valuation, five shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary—the same is twenty gerahs.

Thomsonbut the firstlings of kine, and the firstlings of sheep, and the firstlings of goats, thou shalt not suffer them to redeem. They are hallowed; therefore thou shalt pour out their blood before the altar, and offer their suet as an offering of homage, for a smell of fragrance for the Lord.

BrentonBut thou shalt not redeem the first-born of calves and the first-born of sheep and the first-born of goats; they are holy: and thou shalt pour their blood upon the altar, and thou shalt offer the fat as a burnt-offering for a smell of sweet savour to the Lord.

GreekΠλὴν πρωτότοκα μόσχων καὶ πρωτότοκα προβάτων, καὶ πρωτότοκα αἰγῶν οὐ λυτρώσῃ· ἅγιά ἐστι· καὶ τὸ αἷμα αὐτῶν προσχεεῖς πρὸς τὸ θυσιαστήριον, καὶ τὸ στέαρ ἀνοίσεις κάρπωμα εἰς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας Κυρίῳ.

KJVBut the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.

JPSBut the firstling of an ox, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt dash their blood against the altar, and shalt make their fat smoke for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.

ThomsonAnd the flesh shall be for thee. Like the dedicated breast, and like the right shoulder, it shall be thine.

BrentonAnd the flesh shall be thine, as also the breast of the wave-offering and as the right shoulder, it shall be thine.

GreekΚαὶ τὰ κρέα ἔσται σοι, καθὰ καὶ τὸ στηθύνιον τοῦ ἐπιθέματος· καὶ κατὰ τὸν βραχίονα τὸν δεξιὸν, σοὶ ἔσται.

KJVAnd the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine.

JPSAnd the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave-breast and as the right thigh, it shall be thine.

ThomsonEvery dedication of holy things, which the children of Israel set apart for the Lord, I have given to thee, and thy sons, and thy daughters, as an everlasting due. It is a covenant of salt forever, before the Lord, with thee and thy seed after thee.

BrentonEvery special offering of the holy things, whatsoever the children of Israel shall specially offer to the Lord, I have given to thee and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, a perpetual ordinance: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord, for thee and thy seed after thee.

GreekΠᾶν ἀφαίρεμα τῶν ἁγίων, ὅσα ἐὰν ἀφέλωσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ Κυρίῳ, δέδωκά σοι καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς σου καὶ ταῖς θυγατράσι σου μετὰ σοῦ, νόμιμον αἰώνιον· διαθήκη ἁλὸς αἰωνίου ἔστιν ἔναντι Κυρίου, σοὶ καὶ τῷ σπέρματί σου μετὰ σέ.

KJVAll the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

JPSAll the heave-offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, as a due for ever; it is an everlasting covenant of salt before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.’

ThomsonMoreover the Lord said to Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, nor shalt thou have a portion among them; for I am thy portion, and thy inheritance, among the children of Israel.

BrentonAnd the Lord said to Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any portion among them; for I am thy portion and thine inheritance in the midst of the children of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Ἀαρὼν, ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν οὐ κληρονομήσεις, καὶ μερὶς οὐκ ἔσται σοι ἐν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι ἐγὼ μερίς σου καὶ κληρονομία σου ἐν μέσῳ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Aaron: ‘Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any portion among them; I am thy portion and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

ThomsonAnd behold I have given the Levites all the tenth in Israel, as a portion for their services. Inasmuch as they are to perform service at the tabernacle of the testimony,

BrentonAnd, behold, I have given to the sons of Levi every tithe in Israel for an inheritance for their services, whereinsoever they perform ministry in the tabernacle of witness.

GreekΚαὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς Λευὶ ἰδοὺ δέδωκα πᾶν ἐπιδέκατον ἐν Ἰσραὴλ ἐν κλήρῳ ἀντὶ τῶν λειτουργιῶν αὐτῶν, ὅσα αὐτοὶ λειτουργοῦσι λειτουργίαν ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου.

KJVAnd, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

JPSAnd unto the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the tent of meeting.

Thomsonand the children of Israel are no more to come to the tabernacle of the testimony, to bear a sin which incurreth death,

BrentonAnd the children of Israel shall no more draw nigh to the tabernacle of witness to incur fatal guilt.

GreekΚαὶ οὐ προσελεύσονται ἔτι οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου λαβεῖν ἁμαρτίαν θανατηφόρον.

KJVNeither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.

JPSAnd henceforth the children of Israel shall not come nigh the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin, and die.

Thomsonbut the Levites themselves are to perform the service of the tabernacle, and to bear their sins, this shall be a perpetual due for their generations, and they shall have no inheritance among the children of Israel.

BrentonAnd the Levite himself shall perform the service of the tabernacle of witness; and they shall bear their iniquities, it is a perpetual statute throughout their generations; and in the midst of the children of Israel they shall not receive an inheritance.

GreekΚαὶ λειτουργήσει ὁ Λενίτης αὐτὸς τὴν λειτουργίαν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου· καὶ αὐτοὶ λήψονται τὰ ἁμαρτήματα αὐτῶν, νόμιμον αἰώνιον εἰς τὰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐν μέσῳ υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ οὐ κληρονομήσουσι κληρονομίαν.

KJVBut the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.

JPSBut the Levites alone shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, and among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

ThomsonBecause I have given the Levites for their portion the tithes of the children of Israel, which they set apart for the Lord, as a dedication, therefore I have said to them, they shall have no lot of inheritance among the Israelites.

BrentonBecause I have given as a distinct portion to the Levites for an inheritance the tithes of the children of Israel, whatsoever they shall offer to the Lord; therefore I said to them, In the midst of the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

GreekὍτι τὰ ἐπιδέκατα τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ ὅσα ἐὰν ἀφορίσωσι Κυρίῳ, ἀφαίρεμα δέδωκα τοῖς Λευίταις ἐν κλήρῳ· διὰ τοῦτο εἴρηκα αὐτοῖς, ἐν μέσῳ υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ οὐ κληρονομήσουσι κλῆρον.

KJVBut the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

JPSFor the tithe of the children of Israel, which they set apart as a gift unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance; therefore I have said unto them: Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.’

ThomsonThen the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,

KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

ThomsonThou shalt speak to the Levites and say to them; When you take from the children of Israel the tenth which I have given you from them for a lot of inheritance, you shall set apart from it, as a dedication for the Lord, a tenth of the tenth;

BrentonThou shalt also speak to the Levites, and shalt say to them, If ye take the tithe from the children of Israel, which I have given you from them for an inheritance, then shall ye separate from it a heave-offering to the Lord, a tenth of the tenth.

Greekκαὶ τοῖς Λενίταις λαλήσεις, καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ἐὰν λάβητε παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ τὸ ἐπιδέκατον, ὃ δέδωκα ὑμῖν παρʼ αὐτῶν ἐν κλήρῳ, καὶ ἀφελεῖτε ὑμεῖς ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ ἀφαίρεμα Κυρίῳ, ἐπιδέκατον ἀπὸ τοῦ ἐπιδεκάτου.

KJVThus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

JPS’Moreover thou shalt speak unto the Levites, and say unto them: When ye take of the children of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall set apart of it a gift for the LORD, even a tithe of the tithe.

Thomsonand these dedications of yours shall be reckoned to you as corn from the threshing floor, and as a dedication from the press.

BrentonAnd your heave-offerings shall be reckoned to you as corn from the floor, and an offering from the wine-press.

GreekΚαὶ λογισθήσεται ὑμῖν τὰ ἀφαιρέματα ὑμῶν ὡς σῖτος ἀπὸ ἅλω, καὶ ἀφαίρεμα ἀπὸ ληνοῦ.

KJVAnd this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.

JPSAnd the gift which ye set apart shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshing-floor, and as the fulness of the wine-press.

ThomsonThus you shall acquit yourselves of all the dedications of the Lord—of all your tenths which you receive from the children of Israel. And you shall give the dedication set apart from it for the Lord to Aaron the priest.

BrentonSo shall ye also separate them from all the offerings of the Lord out of all your tithes, whatsoever ye shall receive from the children of Israel; and ye shall give of them an offering to the Lord to Aaron the priest.

GreekΟὕτως ἀφελεῖτε αὐτοὺς καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἀφαιρεμάτων Κυρίου ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐπιδεκάτων ὑμῶν, ὅσα ἐὰν λάβητε παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· καὶ δώσετε ἀπʼ αὐτῶν ἀφαίρεμα Κυρίῳ Ἀαρὼν τῷ ἱερεῖ.

KJVThus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD’s heave offering to Aaron the priest.

JPSThus ye also shall set apart a gift unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and thereof ye shall give the gift which is set apart unto the LORD to Aaron the priest.

ThomsonFrom all your gifts you shall set apart a dedication for the Lord, and from all the first fruits, the hallowed part of it.

BrentonOf all your gifts ye shall offer an offering to the Lord, and of every first-fruit the consecrated part from it.

GreekἈπὸ πάντων τῶν δομάτων ὑμῶν ἀφελεῖτε ἀφαιρεμα Κυρίῳ, ἢ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἀπαρχῶν τὸ ἡγιασμένον ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ.

KJVOut of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.

JPS—

ThomsonMoreover thou shalt say unto them, When you set apart the first fruits of it, then it shall be reckoned to the Levites as produce from the threshing floor, and as produce from the press.

BrentonAnd thou shalt say to them, When ye shall offer the first-fruits from it, then shall it be reckoned to the Levites as produce from the threshing-floor, and as produce from the wine-press.

GreekΚαὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ὅταν ἀφαιρῆτε τὴν ἀπαρχὴν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ λογισθήσεται τοῖς Λευίταις ὡς γέννημα ἀπὸ ἅλω, καὶ ὡς γέννημα ἀπὸ ληνοῦ.

KJVTherefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.

JPSTherefore thou shalt say unto them: When ye set apart the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor, and as the increase of the wine-press.

ThomsonAnd you may eat it every where, you and your households. Because it is your wages for your services which you perform at the tabernacle of the testimony;

BrentonAnd ye shall eat it in any place, ye and your families; for this is your reward for your services in the tabernacle of witness.

GreekΚαὶ ἔδεσθε αὐτὸ ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ ὑμεῖς καὶ οἱ οἶκοι ὑμῶν, ὅτι μισθὸς οὗτος ὑμῖν ἐστιν ἀντὶ τῶν λειτουργιῶν ὑμῶν τῶν ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου.

KJVAnd ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.

JPSAnd ye may eat it in every place, ye and your households; for it is your reward in return for your service in the tent of meeting.

Thomsontherefore you shall not bear sin by reason of it, because you have set apart the first fruits of it. But you must not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, lest you die.

BrentonAnd ye shall not bear sin by reason of it, for ye shall have offered an offering of first-fruits from it, and ye shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, that ye die not.

GreekΚαὶ οὐ λήψεσθε διʼ αὐτὸ ἁμαρτίαν, ὅτι ἂν ἀφαιρῆτε τὴν ἀπαρχὴν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ τὰ ἅγια τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ οὐ βεβηλώσετε, ἵνα μὴ ἀποθάνητε.

KJVAnd ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.

JPSAnd ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, seeing that ye have set apart from it the best thereof; and ye shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, that ye die not.’