Num. 18:8-20, What was important in the Pentateuch?

Continuing our study of “ak” (only, surely, “verily”).

·       Gen. 29:14: Laban said to Jacob, Surely you are my bone and my flesh.

·       34:15: The sons of Jacob said to the king of Shechem, But on this condition we will consent … if every male of you is circumcised.

·       34:22: The king of Shechem said to all the men, Only on this condition will the family of Jacob consent to dwell with us. 

·       34:23: Only let us consent to them and they will dwell with us. Both Jacob’s sons and the king in quoting them used “ak.” I.e., this was hard and fast, no give.

·       44:28: Jacob said of Joseph when his brothers showed him his bloody coat of many colors: Surely he is torn to pieces.  I.e. Jacob saw no other possibility.

·       Ex. 10:17: Pharoah pleads with Moses to entreat the LORD only to take away this death (locust plague).

·       12:15: On the first day leaven shall be removed.  I.e. no waiting.

·       12:16: Only work permitted on holy day was necessary food preparation.

·       21:21: Notwithstanding if slave lives a couple days after being chastened the master not punished because the slave is his property.

·       31:13: Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign …

·       Lev. 11:4,21,36: Nevertheless certain animals forbidden. Yet certain insects permitted. Nevertheless spring/cistern with plenty of water was clean. See also Deut. 12:22 (“just as”) and 14:7 (“Nevertheless”).

·       21:23: Only priest with physical defect not to go near veil or altar.

·       23:27,39: Also on the 7th mo, 10^th day Day of Atonement. Also on the 7^th mo, 15^th day begins feast of Tabernacles.  Dates for these were non-negotiable.

·       27:26,28: But firstborn animals are the LORD’s.  Nevertheless … every devoted offering is more holy to the LORD.

·       Num. 1:49: Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number.

·       12:2: Miriam, Aaron rebel: Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses?

·       14:9: Caleb, Joshua plead with the people: Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land.

·       18:3,15,17: Levites help priests, but they shall not come near the sanctuary or altar.  Nevertheless the firstborn of man you shall surely redeem. But firstborn of cow, sheep or goat are holy to the LORD, not to be redeemed.

·       22:20: God to Balaam: only the word which I speak to you … you shall do.

·       26:55: But the land shall be divided by lot.

·       31:22-23: Only the gold, other metals that can endure fire, you shall purify.  But all that cannot endure fire you shall put through water.

·       36:6: Daughters of Zelophehad could only marry within their clan.