Definition: And 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 18:3. It’s a really important rule set up for the Israelites in the Old Testament! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, this verse is saying: “You are responsible for protecting the sacred space of the Tabernacle (a special building God used to dwell with his people) and its rituals. You must keep a safe distance from it and its offerings.” Let’s unpack it further: “And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle…” – This means you are responsible for guarding and maintaining the Tabernacle. It's not just a building; it’s a place where God lived with his people. “…and the charge of all the tabernacle:” - This is a big phrase, meaning everything within the Tabernacle – the altar, the space where the holy objects were placed, and everything around them – is under your care. “Only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary…” – This is the key part! “Vessels” means things like the altar and the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle. “Come nigh” means to get very close to them. So, you are forbidden from being too close to these sacred spaces. "...and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.” – This is a warning! It specifically says you must not get too close to the altar itself. It’s designed to prevent accidents or harm. The word "neither" means “not” - it’s saying it's absolutely forbidden for anyone, including you, to be in danger near the altar. In a nutshell: The verse is a strict rule about respecting and protecting the Tabernacle and its holy objects. It emphasizes that the people are under your charge and you have a responsibility to keep them safe from any potential danger. Why is this important? It shows God’s holiness and his desire for his people to be protected in their worship. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the Tabernacle or the Old Testament?

Definition: Therefore 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 18:30. It's a really important part about how the harvest is handled in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “When you take the best portion of your threshing and wine pressing – the most valuable parts – and you increase (make bigger) them – then you should add that extra amount to the Levites' (a group of people who served the temple) share.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “The best thereof” : This refers to the highest quality or most valuable part of the harvest. Think of it as the top layer of grain or fruit. “From it” : This means you're taking the entire harvest – not just a small portion. “Increase” : This is key! It’s about making something bigger. You’re adding more to what already exists. “As the increase of the threshingfloor…” : This connects it back to the process of threshing (separating grain from chaff). The threshing floor is a large, flat surface used for this purpose. So, “increase” refers to the amount added to the threshing floor. “…as the increase of the winepress” : This refers to the wine press – where grapes are pressed to make wine. Again, it's about adding more to the yield. In a nutshell: The verse is establishing a system where the most valuable parts of the harvest – the best grain and fruit – get added to the Levites’ share as a result of their work in harvesting. It's a way for the community to ensure that those who worked hard receive a fair portion of the bounty. Why is this important? This passage highlights the importance of fairness and distribution within the Jewish community, especially concerning the harvest. It shows that everyone contributed to the success of the harvest in some way. Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give a little more context about the Old Testament?

Definition: And 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 18:31. It’s a really important passage about how God wants to reward people who serve Him well! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “You are allowed to eat the lamb (a symbolic offering) in every place you work and live within the Tabernacle – which was God’s house – and you can enjoy it as a reward for your service.” Let's unpack that a little further: “And ye shall eat it…” This means you are allowed to consume this special food. “…in every place…” It’s not just in one specific spot, but throughout the entire area where you work and live within the Tabernacle. Think of it like a large celebration or offering happening everywhere. "...ye and your households..." This is crucial – it applies to everyone who works for God and lives with them. It’s not just one person's food; it's everyone participating. "...for it [is] your reward…” This is the big takeaway! God wants to show His gratitude and recognize the people He has chosen to serve. It’s a way of saying “thank you” for their hard work and dedication. What was the Tabernacle? The Tabernacle was a special building where God lived among his people, and it served as a place for worship and sacrifices. This verse is about how God wanted to give thanks and reward those who honored Him by working and living in His presence. In short, it’s a way of saying “You are valued because you serve God.” Does that make sense? Would you like me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, or perhaps discuss its significance within the context of the Old Testament?

Definition: And 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 18:32. It’s a really important rule about how we should treat sacred objects and spaces in the Bible. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us to be incredibly careful not to damage or disrespect anything that God has designated as holy. Think of it like this: We have a responsibility to protect something precious and important to God. Let's unpack the parts: “And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it…” – This means we shouldn’t be troubled or upset by the existence of anything related to the sacred things. It’s about avoiding negative thoughts or feelings caused by the object itself. “…when ye have heaved from it the best of it…” – “Heaved” is a tricky word. It means to move something very carefully and deliberately, especially when it's important. Think of lifting a precious artifact – you wouldn’t just carelessly toss it. This suggests we need to be gentle and respectful. “…neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel…” – "Holy things" refers to specific places or objects that God has designated as sacred, like the Tabernacle (a portable temple) and the Ark of the Covenant. “Pollute” means to dirty or desecrate something. This is a very serious warning! “…lest ye die.” - This is the most important part – it’s saying that if we don't take good care, we risk punishment or even death. It’s not about physical danger, but spiritual consequences of disrespecting God’s gifts. In short: The verse urges us to treat sacred things with reverence and protect them from damage, as doing so will prevent us from being troubled by our thoughts and feelings about them. It's a reminder that we are entrusted with something precious and must handle it with care. Why is this important? This passage highlights God’s holiness and the importance of respecting His gifts. It emphasizes that God wants his people to be safe and protected, and that disrespecting these things can have serious consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse in more detail? Give an example of how this principle might apply to everyday life?