What is the context?
The Lord addresses Levites who followed Israel into idolatry and helped others stumble. Their position had not protected them from responsibility for leading the people astray.
They will still have work in the temple: caring for its gates, slaughtering offerings for the people and carrying out its service. But they may not approach the Lord as priests or come near the most holy things.
The distinction holds together continued service and real consequences. The work remaining to them does not erase the seriousness of what they had done.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley and the USCCB notes understand this as a reduction in priestly responsibility because of earlier wrongdoing. The Levites remain involved in the sanctuary’s work while being restricted from its closest priestly service.
The passage distinguishes responsibilities within the temple. It does not pronounce the eternal destiny of every individual descended from a particular family.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.