Duties and Rights of Priests and Levites: Chapter 18 responds to the panic of the people over the danger of holiness in the tabernacle at the center of the camp (17:12–13) and solidifies for the community the duties and rights of the sanctuary establishment. The events of the two preceding chapters have made clear to the people the necessity of the priests’ organization. Apparently the situation of the Priestly tradents also included the need to clarify the roles of priests and Levites. Because this chapter reminds the people of priests’ duties and privileges that will be fulfilled only in the land, it also reminds the people of the possible future in the promised land.

18:1–7  The first striking thing about this chapter is that, up to verse 25, the text addresses Aaron alone: The LORD said…