Thematic Bible: Duties of


Thematic Bible






"Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us- beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us-from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection."





We ourselves are witnesses of everything He did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem; yet they killed Him by hanging Him on a tree. God raised up this man on the third day and permitted Him to be seen, not by all the people, but by us, witnesses appointed beforehand by God, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.

and He appeared for many days to those who came with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses to the people. Verse ConceptsApostles, Function In Early ChurchGospel, Confirmation OfWitnesses, To Jesus ChristApostles, Duties OfContemporary Witness To ChristAction For A Long Time

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And we heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with Him on the holy mountain. Verse ConceptsHoliness, As Set Apart For GodApostles, Duties OfHearing God's VoiceGod's VoiceGod Speaks From Heavenpeter

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed, and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life- that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us- what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may have fellowship along with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.


You are to pay him his wages each day before the sun sets, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be held guilty. Verse ConceptsEveningMastersBusiness EthicsMasters Duties Towards ServantsEmployersSunsetsDebtMoralityGiving Back


All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed. Verse Conceptsethics, personalMonotonyYokesEmployeesProfaning God's NameSlavesHonour The HonourableGentleness As A Fruit Of The Spirit



Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back Verse Conceptsethics, personalServants, GoodEmployeesSlavesPleasing MenAvoid QuarrelsBe Subject To People

“Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has oversight of the lamp oil, the fragrant incense, the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil. He has oversight of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, the holy objects and their utensils.” Verse ConceptsIncenseOilRankSmellsShowbreadAnimal Sacrifices, Meal OfferingOil For LampsRegulations For Cereal Offerings


All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed. Verse Conceptsethics, personalMonotonyYokesEmployeesProfaning God's NameSlavesHonour The HonourableGentleness As A Fruit Of The Spirit



Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back Verse Conceptsethics, personalServants, GoodEmployeesSlavesPleasing MenAvoid QuarrelsBe Subject To People



If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me, what could I do when God stands up [to judge]? How should I answer Him when He calls [me] to account?

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Feed My lambs,” He told him. Verse ConceptsCommitment, to GodLambsLove, Nature OfShepherds, As Church LeaderNames And Titles For The ChristianBreakfastFeeding AnimalsChrist Knowing About PeopleThe Need To Love Christvulnerability


“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren. Verse ConceptsLearning From The PastBaby dedicationForgettingForgetting GodFathers, Responsibilities OfBeing A KidGenerationsChildren, needs ofDiligence, Objects Ofdiscipline, in the familyGuardsPast, TheWatchfulness, Of BelieversCautiondiligenceParents Duty To ChildrenChildrearingCaring For ChildrenVigilanceSchoolsTeaching ChildrenGuarding Yourself



Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Verse ConceptsLearningFathers, Responsibilities Ofdiscipline, in the familyInexperienceKnowing God, Nature OfCrossing Into The Promised Land

He established a testimony in Jacob
and set up a law in Israel,
which He commanded our fathers
to teach to their children
Verse ConceptsChildren, needs ofdiscipline, in the familyJacob, The PatriarchThe Witness Of GodThe Law Given By GodOld Testament Claims InspirationTeaching ChildrenTraining Children

Who is he trying to teach?
Who is he trying to instruct?
Infants just weaned from milk?
Babies removed from the breast?
Verse ConceptsWeaningGod TeachingSchoolbreaststryingdoctrine






“When your son asks you in the future, ‘What is the meaning of the decrees, statutes, and ordinances, which the Lord our God has commanded you?’ Verse ConceptsAskingMeaningThe Future

his father and mother must take hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown. Verse ConceptsGatesComing To Gates


The living, only the living can thank You,
as I do today;
a father will make Your faithfulness known to children.
Verse ConceptsBad ParentsBeing A TeacherEducation, At HomeChildren, needs ofParents Duty To ChildrenHeritageLiving ThingsTeaching Children

ק QofArise, cry out in the night
from the first watch of the night.
Pour out your heart like water
before the Lord’s presence.
Lift up your hands to Him
for the lives of your children
who are fainting from hunger
on the corner of every street.
Verse ConceptsHandsNightPouringAll Night PrayersLifting HandsThings Like WaterPouring WaterFaintingTragedy On The StreetsYoung People SufferingBeginning Of PeriodsLike Water




Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. Verse ConceptsLove, In RelationshipsMonogamyAuthority Of DisciplesMarriage ControlledWifeFamily FirstMoney ManagementA Good Husband



Paul looked intently at the Sanhedrin and said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience until this day." But the high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting there judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law are you ordering me to be struck?" read more.
And those standing nearby said, "Do you dare revile God's high priest?" "I did not know, brothers," Paul said, "that it was the high priest. For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people. "

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, Verse ConceptsScribesChrist Would Be KilledThe Elderlypriests

Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened. Meanwhile, Peter was following Him at a distance right to the high priest's courtyard. He went in and was sitting with the temple police to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death. read more.
But they could not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two who came forward stated, "This man said, 'I can demolish God's sanctuary and rebuild it in three days.' " The high priest then stood up and said to Him, "Don't You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?"

In obedience to this, they entered the temple complex at daybreak and began to teach. When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin-the full Senate of the sons of Israel-and sent [orders] to the jail to have them brought. But when the temple police got there, they did not find them in the jail, so they returned and reported, "We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!" read more.
As the captain of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, as to what could come of this. Someone came and reported to them, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple complex and teaching the people." Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them. When they had brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, "Didn't we strictly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man's blood on us!"

David said to Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought it to him, and David asked the Lord: "Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?" The Lord replied to him, "Pursue [them], for you will certainly overtake [them] and rescue [the people]."

When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod." Then David said, "Lord God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the town because of me. Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down as Your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, please tell Your servant." The Lord answered, "He will come down." read more.
Then David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?" "They will," the Lord responded.

Whenever they saw there was a large amount of money in the chest, the king’s secretary and the high priest would go to the Lord’s temple and count the money found there and tie it up in bags. Verse ConceptsScribesCounting MoneyMoney For The Temple

“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest so that he may total up the money brought into the Lord’s temple—the money the doorkeepers have collected from the people. Verse ConceptsHigh Priest, In OtCounting MoneyDoorkeepersFinances

“Whenever he enters the sanctuary, Aaron is to carry the names of Israel’s sons over his heart on the breastpiece for decisions, as a continual reminder before the Lord. Verse ConceptsMemorialPeople Involved In JudgementOther References To The HeartDecision Making

Fasten both stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the Israelites. Aaron will carry their names on his two shoulders before the Lord as a reminder. Verse ConceptsShouldersShoulder Pieces

But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. Verse ConceptsExpiationBlood Of SacrificesAtonement, Types OfAtonement, in OTDay Of AtonementMost Holy PlaceSin, God's Remedy ForSin OfferingTypesAaron, As High PriestTypes Of ChristEvery YearSecond ThingAtoning By SacrificesRiversignorancepriests

When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn incense. There is to be an incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations. Verse ConceptsTwilight

So Aaron did this; he set up its lamps to give light in front of the lampstand just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. He came down after sacrificing the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the fellowship offering. Moses and Aaron then entered the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people.

Such people are to observe it in the second month, on the fourteenth day at twilight. They are to eat the animal with unleavened bread and bitter herbs; they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes. "But the man who is ceremonially clean, is not on a journey, and yet fails to observe the Passover is to be cut off from his people, because he did not present the Lord's offering at its appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin. read more.
"If a foreigner resides with you and wants to observe the Passover to the Lord, he is to do so according to the Passover statute and its ordinances. You are to apply the same statute to both the foreign resident and the native of the land." On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and it appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning. It remained that way continuously: the cloud would cover it, appearing like fire at night. Whenever the cloud was lifted up above the tent, the Israelites would set out; at the place where the cloud stopped, there the Israelites camped. At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at the Lord's command they camped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they camped. Even when the cloud stayed over the tabernacle many days, the Israelites carried out the Lord's requirement and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for [only] a few days. They would camp at the Lord's command and set out at the Lord's command. Sometimes the cloud remained [only] from evening until morning; when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out. Or if it remained a day and a night, they moved out when the cloud lifted.

Anyone who is left in your family will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread. He will say: Please appoint me to some priestly office so I can have a piece of bread to eat.’” Verse ConceptsBowing

You and Aaron are to register those who are 20 years old or more by their military divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army. Verse ConceptsMilitary ServiceAaron, Life Eventsdivision

For every high priest taken from men is appointed in service to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. Verse ConceptsAtonement, in OTLeaders, SpiritualPriesthood, In NtSacrifice, Nt Fulfilment OfAaron, As High PriestAtoning By SacrificesOffering SacrificesRivers

He must lay his hand on its head and slaughter it before the tent of meeting. Aaron’s sons will sprinkle its blood on all sides of the altar. Verse ConceptsSprinkling BloodHands On HeadsSacrifices At The DoorwayLaying Hands On SacrificesKilling Sacrifices

The priest is to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord in front of the veil. Verse ConceptsFingersSprinklingSeven TimesApplied With The Finger

Aaron’s sons will burn it on the altar along with the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, a fire offering of a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Verse ConceptsAromasPleasing GodSmellsRefreshing God

Then the priest will burn the food on the altar, as a fire offering for a pleasing aroma.

“All fat belongs to the Lord. Verse ConceptsFatnessFat Of AnimalsRefreshing GodAll Things Belong To God

However, since there were not enough priests, they weren’t able to skin all the burnt offerings, so their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests were. Verse ConceptsdiligenceSkinningFew Priests

They offer a burnt offering and fragrant incense to the Lord every morning and every evening, and they set the rows of the bread of the Presence on the ceremonially clean table. They light the lamps of the gold lampstand every evening. We are carrying out the requirements of Yahweh our God, while you have abandoned Him. Verse ConceptsAbandonmentIncenseSmellsTables

and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest will take a handful of fine flour and oil from it, along with all its frankincense, and will burn this memorial portion of it on the altar, a fire offering of a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Verse ConceptsFlourAromasGrain OfferingPriests, Function In Ot TimesSmellsOther Volume MeasuresRefreshing God

to offer burnt offerings regularly, morning and evening, to the Lord on the altar of burnt offerings and to do everything that was written in the law of the Lord, which He had commanded Israel to keep. Verse ConceptsCeremoniesAnimal Sacrifices, BurntAt Morning And Evening

All of the priests and Levites were ceremonially clean, because they had purified themselves. They killed the Passover lamb for themselves, their priestly brothers, and all the exiles. Verse ConceptsLambsPurificationPurifying OneselfKilling Sacrifices

He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He is to slaughter the bull before the Lord; Aaron's sons the priests are to present the blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar that is at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then he must skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. read more.
The sons of Aaron the priest will prepare a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. Aaron's sons the priests are to arrange the pieces, the head, and the suet on top of the burning wood on the altar. The offerer must wash its entrails and shanks with water. Then the priest will burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a fire offering of a pleasing aroma to the Lord. "But if his gift for a burnt offering is from the flock, from sheep or goats, he is to present an unblemished male. He will slaughter it on the north side of the altar before the Lord. Aaron's sons the priests will sprinkle its blood against the altar on all sides. He will cut it into pieces with its head and its suet, and the priest will arrange them on top of the burning wood on the altar. But he is to wash the entrails and shanks with water. The priest will then present all of it and burn [it] on the altar; it is a burnt offering, a fire offering of a pleasing aroma to the Lord. "If his gift to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present his offering from the turtledoves or young pigeons. Then the priest must bring it to the altar, and must twist off its head and burn [it] on the altar; its blood should be drained at the side of the altar. He will remove its digestive tract, cutting off the tail feathers, and throw it on the east side of the altar at the place for ashes. He will tear it open by its wings without dividing [the bird]. Then the priest is to burn it on the altar on top of the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, a fire offering of a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

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The priest will then burn some of its crushed kernels and oil with all its frankincense as a fire offering to the Lord.

Then the priest will burn the food on the altar, as a fire offering to the Lord. Verse Conceptssmoking

The anointed priest must then take some of the bull's blood and bring it into the tent of meeting. The priest is to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of it seven times before the Lord in front of the veil of the sanctuary. The priest must apply some of the blood to the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the Lord in the tent of meeting. He must pour out the rest of the bull's blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering that is at the entrance to the tent of meeting. read more.
He is to remove all the fat from the bull of the sin offering: the fat surrounding the entrails; all the fat that is on the entrails; and the two kidneys with the fat on them at the loins. He will also remove the fatty lobe of the liver with the kidneys, just as the fat is removed from the ox of the fellowship sacrifice. The priest is to burn them on the altar of burnt offering. But the hide of the bull and all its flesh, with its head and shanks, and its entrails and dung- all [the rest] of the bull-he must bring to a ceremonially clean place outside the camp to the ash heap, and must burn it on a wood fire. It is to be burned at the ash heap.

Then the priest must take some of the blood from the sin offering with his finger and apply it to the horns of the altar of burnt offering. The rest of its blood he must pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering. He must burn all its fat on the altar, like the fat of the fellowship sacrifice. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf for that person's sin, and he will be forgiven.

Then the priest must take some of its blood with his finger and apply it to the horns of the altar of burnt offering. He must pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar. He is to remove all its fat just as the fat is removed from the fellowship sacrifice. The priest is to burn [it] on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf, and he will be forgiven. "Or if the offering that he brings as a sin offering is a lamb, he is to bring an unblemished female. read more.
He is to lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it as a sin offering at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered. Then the priest must take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and apply it to the horns of the altar of burnt offering. He must pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar. He is to remove all its fat just as the fat of the lamb is removed from the fellowship sacrifice. The priest will burn it on the altar along with the fire offerings to the Lord. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.

Then they slaughtered the Passover [lambs], and while the Levites were skinning the [animals], the priests sprinkled the blood they had been given. They removed the burnt offerings so that they might be given to the divisions of the ancestral houses of the lay people to offer to the Lord, according to what is written in the book of Moses; [they did] the same with the bulls. They roasted the Passover [lambs] with fire according to regulation. They boiled the holy [sacrifices] in pots, in kettles, and in bowls; and they quickly brought [them] to the lay people. read more.
Afterwards, they made preparations for themselves and for the priests, since the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were busy offering up burnt offerings and fat until night. So the Levites made preparations for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron.

Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. Verse ConceptsPriests, Tasks In Nt TimesReligionDaily DutyOnce A DayDoing RepeatedlyAtoning By SacrificesSacrificeministering

Then the priests, the sons of Levi, will come forward, for Yahweh your God has chosen them to serve Him and pronounce blessings in His name, and they are to give a ruling in every dispute and case of assault. Verse Conceptselection, responsibilities ofBenedictionsPriests, Function In Ot TimesPeople Involved In JudgementPeople Blessing

"If a case is too difficult for you-concerning bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults-cases disputed at your gates, you must go up to the place the Lord your God chooses. You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Ask, and they will give you a verdict in the case. You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the Lord chooses. Be careful to do exactly as they instruct you. read more.
You must abide by the instruction they give you and the verdict they announce to you. Do not turn to the right or the left from the decision they declare to you. The person who acts arrogantly, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there serving the Lord your God or to the judge, must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. Then all the people will hear [about it], be afraid, and no longer behave arrogantly.

Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites and priests and some of the heads of the Israelite families for deciding the Lord’s will and for settling disputes of the residents of Jerusalem. Verse ConceptsPriests, Function In Ot Times

They must teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and explain to them the difference between the clean and the unclean. "In a dispute, they will officiate as judges and decide the case according to My ordinances. They must observe My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed festivals, and keep My Sabbaths holy.

and if a feeling of jealousy comes over the husband and he becomes jealous because of his wife who has defiled herself-or if a feeling of jealousy comes over him and he becomes jealous of her though she has not defiled herself- then the man is to bring his wife to the priest. He is also to bring an offering for her of two quarts of barley flour. He is not to pour oil over it or put frankincense on it because it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering for remembrance that brings sin to mind. "The priest is to bring her forward and have her stand before the Lord. read more.
Then the priest is to take holy water in a clay bowl, and take some of the dust from the tabernacle floor and put [it] in the water. After the priest has the woman stand before the Lord, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering for remembrance, which is the grain offering of jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse. The priest will require the woman to take an oath and will say to her, 'If no man has slept with you, if you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband's authority, be unaffected by this bitter water that brings a curse. But if you have gone astray while under your husband's authority, if you have defiled yourself and a man other than your husband has slept with you'- at this point the priest must make the woman take the oath with the sworn curse, and he is to say to her- 'May the Lord make you into an object of your people's cursing and swearing when He makes your thigh shrivel and your belly swell. May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach, causing [your] belly to swell and [your] thigh to shrivel.' "And the woman must reply, 'Amen, Amen.' "Then the priest is to write these curses on a scroll and wash [them] off into the bitter water. He will require the woman to drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her and cause bitter suffering. The priest is to take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman's hand, wave the offering before the Lord, and bring it to the altar. The priest is to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar. Then he will require the woman to drink the water. "When he makes her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, and her thigh will shrivel. She will become a curse among her people. But if the woman has not defiled herself and is pure, she will be unaffected and will be able to conceive children. "This is the law regarding jealousy when a wife goes astray and defiles herself while under her husband's authority, or when a feeling of jealousy comes over a husband and he becomes jealous of his wife. He is to have the woman stand before the Lord, and the priest will apply this entire ritual to her. The husband will be free of guilt, but that woman will bear the consequences of her guilt."

the two people in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and judges in authority at that time. Verse ConceptsPriests, Function In Ot TimesStanding

The priests quit asking, “Where is the Lord?”
The experts in the law no longer knew Me,
and the rulers rebelled against Me.
The prophets prophesied by Baal
and followed useless idols.
Verse ConceptsBaal Worship, HistoryPriests, Function In Ot TimesInadequate ShepherdingStudying The LawWhere Is God?Prophets Of Other Gods

For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. Verse ConceptsLeaders, SpiritualOccupationsPriests, Function In Ot TimesSpeech, Positive Aspects OfStumbling BlocksValuing KnowledgeLet Your Speech Be GoodTeaching The Way Of Godpreservationpriests

and teach the Israelites all the statutes that the Lord has given to them through Moses.” Verse ConceptsKnowledge, Of SinLeaders, SpiritualScripture Teaching

“Be careful in a case of infectious skin disease, following carefully everything the Levitical priests instruct you to do. Be careful to do as I have commanded them. Verse ConceptsInstructionHygieneKeeping Man's Word

They will teach Your ordinances to Jacob
and Your instruction to Israel;
they will set incense before You
and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.
Verse ConceptsDoctrine, CommunicatedBurnt offeringHigh Priest, In OtIncenseTeaching The Way Of God

The Levites will proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite:

Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the Lord's covenant, and to all the elders of Israel. Moses commanded them, "At the end of [every] seven years, at the appointed time in the year of debt cancellation, during the Festival of Booths, when all Israel assembles in the presence of the Lord your God at the place He chooses, you are to read this law aloud before all Israel. read more.
Gather the people-men, women, children, and foreigners living within your gates-so that they may listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and be careful to follow all the words of this law. Then their children who do not know [the law] will listen and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."

Moses sent 1,000 from each tribe to war. They went with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, in whose care were the holy objects and signal trumpets. Verse ConceptsA Thousand PeopleTrumpets For SignallingPriests In ActionTemple Utensils In UseMemorabilia

Look, God and His priests are with us at our head. The trumpets are ready to sound the charge against you. Israelites, don’t fight against the Lord God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed.” Verse ConceptsImmanuelPriests, Function In Ot TimesStriving With GodTrumpet

"Make two trumpets of hammered silver to summon the community and have the camps set out. When both are sounded in long blasts, the entire community is to gather before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. However, if one is sounded, only the leaders, the heads of Israel's clans, are to gather before you. read more.
"When you sound short blasts, the camps pitched on the east are to set out. When you sound short blasts a second time, the camps pitched on the south are to set out. Short blasts are to be sounded for them to set out. When calling the assembly together, you are to sound long blasts, not short ones. The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to sound the trumpets. Your use of these is a permanent statute throughout your generations. "When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who is attacking you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God and be delivered from your enemies. You are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your fellowship sacrifices and on your joyous occasions, your appointed festivals, and the beginning of each of your months. They will serve as a reminder for you before your God: I am the Lord your God."

Aaron is to tend it regularly from evening until morning before the Lord outside the veil of the testimony in the tent of meeting. This is a permanent statute throughout your generations. He must regularly tend the lamps on the pure [gold] lampstand in the Lord's presence.

"You are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil from crushed olives for the light, in order to keep the lamp burning continually. In the tent of meeting outside the veil that is in front of the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp from evening until morning before the Lord. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites throughout their generations.

They offer a burnt offering and fragrant incense to the Lord every morning and every evening, and they set the rows of the bread of the Presence on the ceremonially clean table. They light the lamps of the gold lampstand every evening. We are carrying out the requirements of Yahweh our God, while you have abandoned Him. Verse ConceptsAbandonmentIncenseSmellsTables

The chief of the Levite leaders was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest; he had oversight of those responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.

This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the tent of meeting, and their duties will be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. Verse ConceptsMan Appointing

Assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they have been assigned exclusively to him from the Israelites.

In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar had been their leader, and the Lord was with him.

This is the service of the Merarite clans regarding all their work at the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”

Do this for them so that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy objects: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and transportation duty. Verse ConceptsMan Appointing

Then the priests, the sons of Levi, will come forward, for Yahweh your God has chosen them to serve Him and pronounce blessings in His name, and they are to give a ruling in every dispute and case of assault. Verse Conceptselection, responsibilities ofBenedictionsPriests, Function In Ot TimesPeople Involved In JudgementPeople Blessing

Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven. Verse ConceptsAnswered PrayerBenedictionsHeaven, Glimpsed By Humans

The Lord spoke to Moses: "Tell Aaron and his sons how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless you and protect you; read more.
the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace. In this way they will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

"Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land I am giving you and reap its harvest, you are to bring the first sheaf of your harvest to the priest. He will wave the sheaf before the Lord so that you may be accepted; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath.

When you come before the priest who is serving at that time, you must say to him, 'Today I acknowledge to the Lord your God that I have entered the land the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.' "Then the priest will take the container from your hand and place it before the altar of the Lord your God.

The Lord said to Aaron, “You, your sons, and your ancestral house will be responsible for sin against the sanctuary. You and your sons will be responsible for sin involving your priesthood. Verse ConceptsAaron, Priestly ResponsibilitiesOffencePriesthood, In OtFathers Responsibilitiesconnection

But you and your sons will carry out your priestly responsibilities for everything concerning the altar and for what is inside the veil, and you will do that work. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but an unauthorized person who comes near the sanctuary will be put to death.” Verse ConceptsAaron, Priestly ResponsibilitiesAccess To God, In Old TestamentMediatorPriesthood, In OtServanthood, And Worship Of GodExclusionDeath Due To God's PresenceDanger When God Is Near

Whenever the camp is about to move on, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the screening veil, and cover the ark of the testimony with it. They are to place over this a covering made of manatee skin, spread a solid blue cloth on top, and insert its poles. "They are to spread a blue cloth over the table of the Presence and place the plates and cups on it, as well as the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread [offering] is to be on it. read more.
They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover them with a covering made of manatee skin, and insert the poles [in the table]. "They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, with its lamps, snuffers, and firepans, as well as its jars of oil by which they service it. Then they must place it with all its utensils inside a covering made of manatee skin and put [them] on the carrying frame. "They are to spread a blue cloth over the gold altar, cover it with a covering made of manatee skin, and insert its poles. They are to take all the serving utensils they use in the sanctuary, place [them] in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering made of manatee skin, and put [them] on a carrying frame. "They are to remove the ashes from the [bronze] altar, spread a purple cloth over it, and place all the equipment on it that they use in serving: the firepans, meatforks, shovels, and basins-all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread a covering made of manatee skin over it and insert its poles. "Aaron and his sons are to finish covering the holy objects and all their equipment whenever the camp is to move on. The Kohathites will come and carry them, but they are not to touch the holy objects or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the tent of meeting.

“You are to guard the sanctuary and the altar so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again. Verse ConceptsSanctuaryAction Lest God Be AngryResponsibility

After these events, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra- Seraiah's son, Azariah's son, Hilkiah's son, Shallum's son, Zadok's son, Ahitub's son, Amariah's son, Azariah's son, Meraioth's son, read more.
Zerahiah's son, Uzzi's son, Bukki's son, Abishua's son, Phinehas's son, Eleazar's son, Aaron the chief priest's son came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses,(F) which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested because the hand of Yahweh his God was on him.

Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. Verse ConceptsGovernorsScribesWeepingDo Not MournHoly Times

The Lord told Joshua, "Command the priests who carry the ark of the testimony to come up from the Jordan." So Joshua commanded the priests, "Come up from the Jordan." read more.
When the priests carrying the ark of the Lord's covenant came up from the middle of the Jordan, and their feet stepped out on solid ground, the waters of the Jordan resumed their course, flowing over all the banks as before.

But you and your sons will carry out your priestly responsibilities for everything concerning the altar and for what is inside the veil, and you will do that work. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but an unauthorized person who comes near the sanctuary will be put to death.” Verse ConceptsAaron, Priestly ResponsibilitiesAccess To God, In Old TestamentMediatorPriesthood, In OtServanthood, And Worship Of GodExclusionDeath Due To God's PresenceDanger When God Is Near

But also bring your relatives with you from the tribe of Levi, your ancestral tribe, so they may join you and assist you and your sons in front of the tent of the testimony. Verse ConceptsAaron, As High PriestMinistry, Nature OfParticipation, In Christ

“You are to guard the sanctuary and the altar so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again. Verse ConceptsSanctuaryAction Lest God Be AngryResponsibility

The fire on the altar is to be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest will burn wood on the fire. He is to arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat portions from the fellowship offerings on it. Fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not go out.

But if one is too poor to pay the assessment, he must present the person before the priest and the priest will set a value for him. The priest will set a value for him according to what the one making the vow can afford. Verse ConceptsGiving, Of PossessionsPoverty, Remedies ForPoor People

The priest will set its value, whether high or low; the price will be set as the priest makes the assessment for you. Verse ConceptsValue

When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army. He is to say to them: 'Listen, Israel: Today you are about to engage in battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, alarmed, or terrified because of them. For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.'

When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, "Why did the Lord let us be defeated today by the Philistines? Let's bring the ark of the Lord's covenant from Shiloh. Then it will go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies." So the people sent [men] to Shiloh to bring back the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts, who dwells [between] the cherubim. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. When the ark of the covenant of the Lord entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a loud shout that the ground shook.

We have cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people for the donation of wood by our ancestral houses at the appointed times each year. They are to bring the wood to our God’s house to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the law. Verse ConceptsCasting LotsWoodThe Altar Of The LordFirewood

A priest of Aaronic descent must accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites must take a tenth of this offering to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God. Verse ConceptsPriesthood, In OtTreasuriesFractions, One TenthTithesBringing In The TitheTithes And Offering

“You must keep the Israelites from their uncleanness, so that they do not die by defiling My tabernacle that is among them. Verse ConceptsExclusivenessHoliness,  Worldly SeparationParticipation, In SinSeparationDeath Due To God's PresencePolluting Holy Places

With these things set up this way, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry. Verse ConceptsMinistry, Nature OfOutside The Houseaccomplishment

However, he must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire many horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ Verse ConceptsHorsesKings, Duties OfNeverPeople not returningAcquiring Horses


A king who judges the poor with fairness—
his throne will be established forever.
Verse ConceptsBeing A LeaderCivic RighteousnessKings, Duties OfCommerceAuthorityfairness

The God of Israel spoke;
the Rock of Israel said to me,
“The one who rules the people with justice,
who rules in the fear of God,
Verse ConceptsFearGod, The RockReverence, And BlessingKings, Duties OfKings, How They Should ActMagistratesCivil GovernmentReverence To GodAuthorityFearing God

Then he said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the matter of judgment. Verse ConceptsKings, Duties OfMagistratesGod With Specific PeopleMaking DecisionsJudgement

So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverential awe, and rejoice with trembling.


Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.
Verse ConceptsSafetyKings, Duties OfAuthority

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.