6 "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Bring the tribe of Levi near - The original word הקרב hakreb is properly a sacrificial word, and signifies the presenting of a sacrifice or offering to the Lord. As an offering, the tribe of Levi was given up entirely to the service of the sanctuary, to be no longer their own, but the Lord's property.
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and (d) present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
(d) Offer them to Aaron for the use of the tabernacle.
Bring the tribe of Levi near,.... Separate them from the rest, set them apart for special service about, the sanctuary, let them have a place nearer to it than the other tribes, or offer them, that is, to the Lord, as in Numbers 8:11; as well as bring them near to Aaron; so it follows:
and present them before Aaron the priest; that he may receive them as a gift unto him, as servants to wait upon him; and! that he may appoint and declare unto them their work, and set them about it:
that they may minister unto him; in guarding the tabernacle taking care of the vessels of it, taking it down, carrying it, from place to place, and setting it up as there was occasion for it.
"Bring near:" as in Exodus 28:1. The expression לפני עמד is frequently met with in connection with the position of a servant, as standing before his master to receive his commands.
Present them - Offer them to the Lord for his special service. This was promised to them before, and now actually conferred.
*More commentary available at chapter level.