¹ sn The verb is simply the Qal, “do not cut off.” The context calls for a permissive nuance – “do not let them be cut off.” It was a difficult task to be handling the holy things correctly; Moses and Aaron were to see to it that they did it right and did not handle the objects, that is, Moses and Aaron were to safeguard their lives by making certain that proper procedures were followed.

² tn This verb could also be subordinated to the preceding: “that you be not smitten.”

³ sn These regulations supplement what was already ruled on in the Levitical code for the purification and reparation offerings. See those rulings in Lev 4-7 for all the details. Some biblical scholars view the rules in Leviticus as more elaborate and therefore later. However, this probably represents a misunderstanding of the purpose of each collection.

⁴ tn The verb is the plural imperfect; the sin discussed here is a sin committed by the community, or the larger part of the community.

⁵ tn Heb “answered and said.”

⁶ tn This first clause, “all that the Lord speaks” – is a noun clause functioning as the object of the verb that comes at the end of the verse. It is something of an independent accusative case, since it is picked up with the sign of the accusative: “all that the Lord speaks, it I must do.”

⁷ tn Heb “any work [of] service”; this means any occupational work, that is, the ordinary service.

⁸ tn Heb “said to them.”