Numbers 3:6 
Context| NET © | “Bring the tribe of Levi near, 1 and present 2 them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. 3 |
| NIV © | "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. |
| NASB © | "Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. |
| NLT © | "Call forward the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest as his assistants. |
| MSG © | "Bring forward the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron so they can help him. |
| BBE © | Make the tribe of Levi come near, and put them before Aaron the priest, to be his helpers, |
| NRSV © | Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, so that they may assist him. |
| NKJV © | "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. |
| KJV | |
| NASB © | |
| HEBREW | |
| LXXM | |
| NET © [draft] ITL | |
| NET © | “Bring the tribe of Levi near, 1 and present 2 them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. 3 |
| NET © Notes |
1 sn The use of the verb קָרַב (qarav) forms an interesting wordplay in the passage. The act of making an offering is described by this verb, as was the reference to the priests’ offering of strange fire. Now the ceremonial presentation of the priests is expressed by the same word – they are being offered to God. 2 tn The verb literally means “make it [the tribe] stand” (וְהַעֲמַדְתָּ אֹתוֹ, vÿha’amadta ’oto). The verb is the Hiphil perfect with a vav (ו) consecutive; it will take the same imperative nuance as the form before it, but follow in sequence (“and then”). This refers to the ceremonial presentation in which the tribe would take its place before Aaron, that is, stand before him and await their assignments. The Levites will function more like a sacred guard than anything else, for they had to protect and care for the sanctuary when it was erected and when it was transported (see J. Milgrom, Studies in Levitical Terminology, 8-10). 3 tn The verb וְשֵׁרְתוּ (vÿsherÿtu) is the Piel perfect with a vav (ו) consecutive; it carries the same volitional force as the preceding verb forms, but may here be subordinated in the sequence to express the purpose or result of the preceding action. |
