Duties of Priests and Levites

1  וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) יְהוָה֙ (YHWH) אֶֽל־ (to) אַהֲרֹ֔ן (Aaron), אַתָּ֗ה (You) וּבָנֶ֤יךָ (and your sons) וּבֵית־ (and the house) אָבִ֙יךָ֙ (of your father) אִתָּ֔ךְ (with you) תִּשְׂא֖וּ (shall bear) אֶת־ (-) עֲוֺ֣ן (the iniquity) הַמִּקְדָּ֑שׁ (of the sanctuary), וְאַתָּה֙ (and you) וּבָנֶ֣יךָ (and your sons) אִתָּ֔ךְ (with you) תִּשְׂא֖וּ (shall bear) אֶת־ (-) עֲוֺ֥ן (the iniquity) כְּהֻנַּתְכֶֽם׃ (of your⁺ priesthood). 2  וְגַ֣ם (And) אֶת־ (-) אַחֶיךָ֩ (your brothers) מַטֵּ֨ה (of the tribe) לֵוִ֜י (of Levi), שֵׁ֤בֶט (the tribe) אָבִ֙יךָ֙ (of your father), הַקְרֵ֣ב (bring near) אִתָּ֔ךְ (with you), וְיִלָּו֥וּ (that they may be joined) עָלֶ֖יךָ (with you) וִֽישָׁרְת֑וּךָ (and serve you) וְאַתָּה֙ (and while you) וּבָנֶ֣יךָ (and your sons) אִתָּ֔ךְ (are with you) לִפְנֵ֖י (before) אֹ֥הֶל (the Tent) הָעֵדֻֽת׃ (of the Testimony). 3  וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙ (And they shall attend) מִֽשְׁמַרְתְּךָ֔ (to your needs) וּמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת (and the needs) כָּל־ (of all) הָאֹ֑הֶל (the tabernacle). אַךְ֩ (However) אֶל־ (to) כְּלֵ֨י (the articles) הַקֹּ֤דֶשׁ (of the sanctuary) וְאֶל־ (and) הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ (the altar) לֹ֣א (not) יִקְרָ֔בוּ (they shall come near), וְלֹֽא־ (lest) יָמֻ֥תוּ (they die)— גַם־ (both) הֵ֖ם (they) גַּם־ (and also) אַתֶּֽם׃ (you⁺). 4  וְנִלְו֣וּ (And they shall be joined) עָלֶ֔יךָ (with you) וְשָֽׁמְר֗וּ (and attend to) אֶת־ (-) מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙ (the needs) אֹ֣הֶל (of the Tent) מוֹעֵ֔ד (of Meeting) לְכֹ֖ל (for all) עֲבֹדַ֣ת (the work) הָאֹ֑הֶל (of the tabernacle); וְזָ֖ר (and an outsider) לֹא־ (not) יִקְרַ֥ב (may come near) אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ (to you⁺).

5  וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֗ם (And you⁺ shall attend to) אֵ֚ת (-) מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת (the duties) הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ (of the sanctuary) וְאֵ֖ת (and) מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת (the duties) הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ (of the altar), וְלֹֽא־ (that no lest) יִהְיֶ֥ה (there be) ע֛וֹד (more) קֶ֖צֶף (wrath) עַל־ (on) בְּנֵ֥י (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (of Israel). 6  וַאֲנִ֗י (And I), הִנֵּ֤ה (behold), לָקַ֙חְתִּי֙ (I have taken) אֶת־ (-) אֲחֵיכֶ֣ם (your⁺ brothers) הַלְוִיִּ֔ם (the Levites) מִתּ֖וֹךְ (from the midst) בְּנֵ֣י (of the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (of Israel); לָכֶ֞ם (to you⁺) מַתָּנָ֤ה (they are a gift) נְתֻנִים֙ (given) לַֽיהוָ֔ה (by YHWH) לַעֲבֹ֕ד (to do) אֶת־ (-) עֲבֹדַ֖ת (the work) אֹ֥הֶל (of the Tent) מוֹעֵֽד׃ (of Meeting). 7  וְאַתָּ֣ה (Therefore you) וּבָנֶ֣יךָ (and your sons) אִ֠תְּךָ (with you) תִּשְׁמְר֨וּ (shall attend to) אֶת־ (-) כְּהֻנַּתְכֶ֜ם (your⁺ priesthood) לְכָל־ (for everything) דְּבַ֧ר (concerning) הַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַ (the altar) וּלְמִבֵּ֥ית (and behind) לַפָּרֹ֖כֶת (the veil), וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֑ם (and you⁺ shall serve). עֲבֹדַ֣ת (As a service for) מַתָּנָ֗ה (a gift) אֶתֵּן֙ (I give to you) אֶת־ (-) כְּהֻנַּתְכֶ֔ם (your⁺ priesthood), וְהַזָּ֥ר (and the outsider) הַקָּרֵ֖ב (who comes near) יוּמָֽת׃ס (shall be put to death).

Offerings for Priests and Levites

8  וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר (And spoke) יְהוָה֮ (YHWH) אֶֽל־ (to) אַהֲרֹן֒ (Aaron), וַאֲנִי֙ (And I), הִנֵּ֣ה (behold), נָתַ֣תִּֽי (I have given) לְךָ֔ (you) אֶת־ (-) מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת (charge) תְּרוּמֹתָ֑י (of My contributions). לְכָל־ (All) קָדְשֵׁ֣י (the holy gifts) בְנֵֽי־ (of the sons) יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל (of Israel) לְךָ֨ (to you) נְתַתִּ֧ים (I have given) לְמָשְׁחָ֛ה (as a portion), וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ (and to your sons), לְחָק־ (as an ordinance) עוֹלָֽם׃ (forever). 9  זֶֽה־ (This) יִהְיֶ֥ה (shall be) לְךָ֛ (yours) מִקֹּ֥דֶשׁ (from the holy) הַקֳּדָשִׁ֖ים (of holies) מִן־ (from) הָאֵ֑שׁ (the fire): כָּל־ (All) קָ֠רְבָּנָם (offerings theirs) לְֽכָל־ (all) מִנְחָתָ֞ם (grain offerings) וּלְכָל־ (and all) חַטָּאתָ֗ם (sin offerings) וּלְכָל־ (and all) אֲשָׁמָם֙ (guilt offerings) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (which) יָשִׁ֣יבוּ (they render) לִ֔י (to Me) קֹ֣דֶשׁ (holy), קָֽדָשִׁ֥ים (of holies) לְךָ֛ (to you) ה֖וּא (it is), וּלְבָנֶֽיךָ׃ (and to your sons). 10  בְּקֹ֥דֶשׁ (In the holy) הַקֳּדָשִׁ֖ים (of holies) תֹּאכֲלֶ֑נּוּ (you shall eat it); כָּל־ (every) זָכָר֙ (male) יֹאכַ֣ל (shall eat) אֹת֔וֹ (it). קֹ֖דֶשׁ (Holy) יִֽהְיֶה־ (it shall be) לָּֽךְ׃ (to you).

11  וְזֶה־ (And this is) לְּךָ֞ (yours): תְּרוּמַ֣ת (The contribution) מַתָּנָ֗ם (of their gift), לְכָל־ (with all) תְּנוּפֹת֮ (the wave offerings) בְּנֵ֣י (of the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (of Israel); לְךָ֣ (to you) נְתַתִּ֗ים (I have given them), וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ (and to your sons) וְלִבְנֹתֶ֛יךָ (and daughters) אִתְּךָ֖ (with you), לְחָק־ (as an ordinance) עוֹלָ֑ם (everlasting). כָּל־ (Everyone) טָה֥וֹר (who is clean) בְּבֵיתְךָ֖ (in your house) יֹאכַ֥ל (may eat) אֹתֽוֹ׃ (it). 12  כֹּ֚ל (All) חֵ֣לֶב (the best) יִצְהָ֔ר (of the oil), וְכָל־ (and all) חֵ֖לֶב (the best) תִּיר֣וֹשׁ (of the new wine) וְדָגָ֑ן (and the grain), רֵאשִׁיתָ֛ם (their firstfruits) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) יִתְּנ֥וּ (they offer) לַֽיהוָ֖ה (to YHWH), לְךָ֥ (to you) נְתַתִּֽים׃ (I have given them). 13  בִּכּוּרֵ֞י (The firstfruits) כָּל־ (of all) אֲשֶׁ֧ר (that) בְּאַרְצָ֛ם (is in their land), אֲשֶׁר־ (which) יָבִ֥יאוּ (they bring) לַיהוָ֖ה (to YHWH), לְךָ֣ (unto you) יִהְיֶ֑ה (shall be). כָּל־ (Everyone) טָה֥וֹר (who is clean) בְּבֵיתְךָ֖ (in your house) יֹאכֲלֶֽנּוּ׃ (may eat it).

14  כָּל־ (Every) חֵ֥רֶם (devoted thing) בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (in Israel) לְךָ֥ (unto you) יִהְיֶֽה׃ (shall be). 15  כָּל־ (Everything) פֶּ֣טֶר (opening) רֶ֠חֶם (the womb) לְֽכָל־ (of all) בָּשָׂ֞ר (flesh), אֲשֶׁר־ (which) יַקְרִ֧יבוּ (they bring) לַֽיהוָ֛ה (to YHWH), בָּאָדָ֥ם (whether the man) וּבַבְּהֵמָ֖ה (or the beast), יִֽהְיֶה־ (shall be) לָּ֑ךְ (yours). אַ֣ךְ׀ (Nevertheless) פָּדֹ֣ה (redeeming) תִפְדֶּ֗ה (you must redeem) אֵ֚ת (-) בְּכ֣וֹר (the firstborn) הָֽאָדָ֔ם (of the man), וְאֵ֛ת (and) בְּכֽוֹר־ (the firstborn) הַבְּהֵמָ֥ה (of the animals) הַטְּמֵאָ֖ה (unclean) תִּפְדֶּֽה׃ (you shall redeem). 16  וּפְדוּיָו֙ (And their ransomed ones) מִבֶּן־ (from a son) חֹ֣דֶשׁ (of a month) תִּפְדֶּ֔ה (you shall redeem) בְּעֶ֨רְכְּךָ֔ (according to your valuation for), כֶּ֛סֶף (silver) חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת (five) שְׁקָלִ֖ים (shekels); בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל (according to the shekel) הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ (of the sanctuary), עֶשְׂרִ֥ים (twenty) גֵּרָ֖ה (gerahs) הֽוּא׃ (it is).

17  אַ֣ךְ (But) בְּֽכוֹר־ (the firstborn) שׁ֡וֹר (of a cow), אֽוֹ־ (or) בְכ֨וֹר (the firstborn) כֶּ֜שֶׂב (of a sheep), אֽוֹ־ (or) בְכ֥וֹר (the firstborn) עֵ֛ז (of a goat), לֹ֥א (not) תִפְדֶּ֖ה (you shall redeem); קֹ֣דֶשׁ (holy) הֵ֑ם (they are). אֶת־ (-) דָּמָ֞ם (their blood) תִּזְרֹ֤ק (you shall sprinkle) עַל־ (on) הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ (the altar), וְאֶת־ (and) חֶלְבָּ֣ם (their fat) תַּקְטִ֔יר (you shall burn) אִשֶּׁ֛ה (as a fire offering), לְרֵ֥יחַ (for an aroma) נִיחֹ֖חַ (pleasing) לַֽיהוָֽה׃ (to YHWH). 18  וּבְשָׂרָ֖ם (And their flesh) יִהְיֶה־ (shall be) לָּ֑ךְ (unto you), כַּחֲזֵ֧ה (as the breast) הַתְּנוּפָ֛ה (of the wave offering) וּכְשׁ֥וֹק (and the thigh) הַיָּמִ֖ין (right) לְךָ֥ (unto you) יִהְיֶֽה׃ (are).

19  כֹּ֣ל׀ (All) תְּרוּמֹ֣ת (the contributions) הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים (of the holy things), אֲשֶׁ֨ר (which) יָרִ֥ימוּ (offer) בְנֵֽי־ (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ (of Israel) לַֽיהוָה֒ (to YHWH), נָתַ֣תִּֽי (I have given) לְךָ֗ (to you) וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ (and your sons) וְלִבְנֹתֶ֛יךָ (and daughters) אִתְּךָ֖ (with you) לְחָק־ (as a statute) עוֹלָ֑ם (everlasting). בְּרִית֩ (A covenant) מֶ֨לַח (of salt) עוֹלָ֥ם (everlasting) הִוא֙ (it is) לִפְנֵ֣י (before the face of) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH) לְךָ֖ (with you) וּלְזַרְעֲךָ֥ (and your seed) אִתָּֽךְ׃ (with you).

20  וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (And said) יְהוָ֜ה (YHWH) אֶֽל־ (to) אַהֲרֹ֗ן (Aaron), בְּאַרְצָם֙ (In their land) לֹ֣א (not) תִנְחָ֔ל (you shall inherit) וְחֵ֕לֶק (and any portion) לֹא־ (not) יִהְיֶ֥ה (shall have) לְךָ֖ (you) בְּתוֹכָ֑ם (in their midst). אֲנִ֤י (I am) חֶלְקְךָ֙ (your portion) וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ (and your inheritance) בְּת֖וֹךְ (in the midst) בְּנֵ֥י (of the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ס (of Israel).

21  וְלִבְנֵ֣י (And the sons) לֵוִ֔י (of Levi), הִנֵּ֥ה (behold), נָתַ֛תִּי (I have given) כָּל־ (all) מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ר (the tithes) בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (in Israel) לְנַחֲלָ֑ה (as an inheritance), חֵ֤לֶף (in return for) עֲבֹֽדָתָם֙ (the work) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) הֵ֣ם (they) עֹֽבְדִ֔ים (perform), אֶת־ (-) עֲבֹדַ֖ת (the service) אֹ֥הֶל (of the Tent) מוֹעֵֽד׃ (of Meeting). 22  וְלֹא־ (And not) יִקְרְב֥וּ (shall come near) ע֛וֹד (Hereafter) בְּנֵ֥י (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel) אֶל־ (to) אֹ֣הֶל (the Tent) מוֹעֵ֑ד (of Meeting), לָשֵׂ֥את (lest they bear) חֵ֖טְא (sin) לָמֽוּת׃ (and die).

23  וְעָבַ֨ד (And shall perform) הַלֵּוִ֜י (the Levite), ה֗וּא (he), אֶת־ (-) עֲבֹדַת֙ (the work) אֹ֣הֶל (of the Tent) מוֹעֵ֔ד (of Meeting), וְהֵ֖ם (and they) יִשְׂא֣וּ (shall bear) עֲוֺנָ֑ם (their iniquity). חֻקַּ֤ת (It shall be a statute) עוֹלָם֙ (forever) לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם (throughout your⁺ generations) וּבְתוֹךְ֙ (and in the midst) בְּנֵ֣י (of the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) לֹ֥א (no) יִנְחֲל֖וּ (they shall have) נַחֲלָֽה׃ (inheritance). 24  כִּ֞י (For) אֶת־ (-) מַעְשַׂ֣ר (the tithes) בְּנֵֽי־ (of the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (of Israel) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (which) יָרִ֤ימוּ (they offer up) לַֽיהוָה֙ (to YHWH) תְּרוּמָ֔ה (as a contribution), נָתַ֥תִּי (I have given) לַלְוִיִּ֖ם (to the Levites) לְנַחֲלָ֑ה (as an inheritance). עַל־ (Upon) כֵּן֙ (thus) אָמַ֣רְתִּי (I have said) לָהֶ֔ם (to them): בְּתוֹךְ֙ (In the midst) בְּנֵ֣י (of the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) לֹ֥א (not) יִנְחֲל֖וּ (they shall have) נַחֲלָֽה׃פ (an inheritance).

25  וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר (And spoke) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) אֶל־ (to) מֹשֶׁ֥ה (Moses), לֵּאמֹֽר׃ (saying), 26  וְאֶל־ (And to) הַלְוִיִּ֣ם (the Levites) תְּדַבֵּר֮ (speak) וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (and say) אֲלֵהֶם֒ (to them), כִּֽי־ (When) תִ֠קְחוּ (you⁺ take) מֵאֵ֨ת (from) בְּנֵֽי־ (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (of Israel) אֶת־ (-) הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֗ר (the tithes) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (that) נָתַ֧תִּי (I have given) לָכֶ֛ם (to you⁺) מֵאִתָּ֖ם (from them) בְּנַחֲלַתְכֶ֑ם (as your⁺ inheritance), וַהֲרֵמֹתֶ֤ם (and you⁺ shall offer up) מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ (from it) תְּרוּמַ֣ת (a contribution to) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH), מַעֲשֵׂ֖ר (a tenth) מִן־ (of) הַֽמַּעֲשֵֽׂר׃ (the tithe). 27  וְנֶחְשַׁ֥ב (And shall be reckoned) לָכֶ֖ם (to you⁺) תְּרוּמַתְכֶ֑ם (your⁺ contributions) כַּדָּגָן֙ (as though it were the grain) מִן־ (of) הַגֹּ֔רֶן (the threshing floor) וְכַֽמְלֵאָ֖ה (and as the fullness) מִן־ (of) הַיָּֽקֶב׃ (the winepress). 28  כֵּ֣ן (Thus) תָּרִ֤ימוּ (you⁺ shall lift up) גַם־ (also) אַתֶּם֙ (you⁺) תְּרוּמַ֣ת (a contribution to) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH) מִכֹּל֙ (from all) מַעְשְׂרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם (your⁺ tithes) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that) תִּקְח֔וּ (you⁺ receive) מֵאֵ֖ת (from) בְּנֵ֣י (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (of Israel). וּנְתַתֶּ֤ם (And you⁺ shall give) מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ (from it) אֶת־ (-) תְּרוּמַ֣ת (the contribution) יְהוָ֔ה (of YHWH) לְאַהֲרֹ֖ן (to Aaron) הַכֹּהֵֽן׃ (the priest). 29  מִכֹּל֙ (Of all) מַתְּנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם (your⁺ gifts) תָּרִ֕ימוּ (you⁺ shall lift up) אֵ֖ת (-) כָּל־ (every) תְּרוּמַ֣ת (contribution) יְהוָ֑ה (of YHWH) מִכָּל־ (from all) חֶלְבּ֔וֹ (its fat), אֶֽת־ (-) מִקְדְּשׁ֖וֹ (its holy part) מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ (from it).

30  וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ (And you shall say) אֲלֵהֶ֑ם (to them), בַּהֲרִֽימְכֶ֤ם (In your⁺ lifting up) אֶת־ (-) חֶלְבּוֹ֙ (its fat) מִמֶּ֔נּוּ (from it) וְנֶחְשַׁב֙ (then it shall be reckoned) לַלְוִיִּ֔ם (to the Levites) כִּתְבוּאַ֥ת (as the produce) גֹּ֖רֶן (of the threshing floor), וְכִתְבוּאַ֥ת (and as the produce) יָֽקֶב׃ (of the winepress). 31  וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם (And You⁺ may eat) אֹתוֹ֙ (it) בְּכָל־ (in any) מָק֔וֹם (place), אַתֶּ֖ם (you⁺) וּבֵֽיתְכֶ֑ם (and your⁺ house), כִּֽי־ (for) שָׂכָ֥ר (reward) הוּא֙ (it is) לָכֶ֔ם (to you⁺) חֵ֥לֶף (for) עֲבֹֽדַתְכֶ֖ם (your⁺ work) בְּאֹ֥הֶל (in the Tent) מוֹעֵֽד׃ (of Meeting). 32  וְלֹֽא־ (And not) תִשְׂא֤וּ (you⁺ shall bear) עָלָיו֙ (because of it) חֵ֔טְא (sin) בַּהֲרִֽימְכֶ֥ם (when you⁺ have lifted up) אֶת־ (-) חֶלְבּ֖וֹ (its fat) מִמֶּ֑נּוּ (from it), וְאֶת־ (and) קָדְשֵׁ֧י (the holy gifts) בְנֵי־ (of the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (of Israel) לֹ֥א (not) תְחַלְּל֖וּ (you⁺ shall defile), וְלֹ֥א (lest) תָמֽוּתוּ׃פ (you⁺ die).