1Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron and said, 2‘Take a census of the children of CaAth (separate from the sons of Levi) by family lines. 3Count those from twenty-five to fifty years old who work and serve in the Tent of Proofs. 4For these are the very holy things that the sons of CaAth must do at the Tent of Proofs: 5Whenever the camp is about to move, Aaron and his sons must enter and take down the [inner] veil, and use it to cover the Chest of Proofs. 6Then they must cover it with a blue skin and put a blue [cloth] over that. Then they must put the staves through [the rings on the Chest]. 7‘They must also put a purple cloth over the table that holds the showbread, along with its dishes, censers, cups, pitchers for drink offerings, and the loaves (which must always be left on the table). 8Then they must cover it with a scarlet cloth, and cover that with a blue skin, and mount [the table] on staves. 9‘Then they must cover the Sacred Lamp that provides the light, along with its lanterns, snuffers, funnels, and all the oil jars, with a blue cloth, 10and put it and all its utensils inside a blue skin bag, and mount it on staves. 11Also, the golden [incense] altar must be wrapped in blue cloth, then covered with blue skins and mounted on staves. 12‘Then they must take all the rest of the things that are used in the services in the Holy Place, and put them in a blue cloth [bag], then cover them with blue skins, and mount them on staves. 13‘Then they must cover the Altar with purple cloth, 14along with all the utensils that are used with it (the fire pans, flesh-hooks, cups, covering, and all its utensils), then wrap it in all a blue covering of skins, and mount it on the staves. ‘They must also cover the basin and its base with blue cloth, wrap it in blue skins, and mount it on staves. 15‘Aaron and his sons must finish covering the holy things and all the holy utensils before the camp can move. Thereafter, the sons of CaAth must bear all [the Tent’s] furnishings, but they must not [actually] touch the holy things, or else they will die. These [are the things] that just the sons of CaAth are to carry from the Tent of Proofs. 16‘EliEzer, the son of Aaron (the Priest) is to be the overseer. He is to give instructions concerning the oil for the lamp, the incense, the daily food offerings, and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the whole Tent, everything that’s in it, and everything that’s done there.’ 17Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron and said, 18‘You must prevent the family of CaAth (the tribe among the Levites) from being destroyed. 19This is what you must do for them so they can live and not die: Whenever they approach the Holy of Holies, Aaron and his sons must take the lead. Then they are the ones who must mount the [sacred items] to be carried on the staves. 20That way, [the family of CaAth] won’t [be tempted to] rush in to look at the holy things and die. 21Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 22‘Now take a census of the children of Gedson by family lines. 23Count all those between the ages of twenty-five and fifty years old who go in to serve and work in the Tent of Proofs; 24because the public service of the family of Gedson is to serve and to carry. 25They must carry and attend to the skins of the Tent, the Tent of Proofs itself, its veil, the blue covering that goes over its top, the cover for the entrance to the Tent of Proofs, 26all the curtains for the courtyard, the mountings, and all the other utensils of service. 27The sons of Gedson must take their direction from Aaron and his sons in everything that they do in their assignments and jobs. You must count them by names and [show them] all the things they must carry. 28This is the job of the sons of Gedson in the Tent of Proofs, and IthaMar, the son of Aaron the Priest, is to give them their instructions. 29‘Also, take a census of the sons of MeraRi by family lines. 30Count all those between the ages of twenty-five and fifty years old who go in to serve and work in the Tent of Proofs. 31These are the things you are to tell them, and that they must carry as their job at the Tent of Proofs: They must carry the Tent’s caps, rafters, poles, and sockets, as well as the sockets and poles for the veil and the curtain at the entrance to the Tent. 32They must also carry the poles for the surrounding courtyard and for the veil at the entrance to the courtyard, along with their sockets, pins, ropes, furnishings, and things for service. ‘Count them by name, and show what each of them is to carry. 33This is the assignment for the family of the sons of MeraRi. It is their job at the Tent of Proofs, under the direction of IthaMar, the son of Aaron the Priest.’ 34So Moses, Aaron, and the rulers of Israel took a census of the sons of CaAth by family lines, 35[and counted] all those between the ages of twenty-five and fifty years old who go in to serve and work in the Tent of Proofs. 36And their number by family lines came to two thousand, seven hundred and fifty. 37This is how many there were of the family of CaAth that served in the Tent of Proofs, as Moses and Aaron counted them, following Jehovah’s instructions to Moses. 38Then they counted the sons of Gedson by family lines who were 39between twenty-five and fifty years old that go in to serve at the Tent of Proofs. 40And their number by family lines came to two thousand, six hundred and thirty. 41This is how many there were of the family of Gedson that served in the Tent of Proofs, as Moses and Aaron counted them, following Jehovah’s instructions to Moses. 42Then they counted the sons of MeraRi by family lines who were 43between twenty-five and fifty years old that go in to serve at the Tent of Proofs. 44And their number by family lines came to three thousand, two hundred. 45This is how many there were of the family of MeraRi, as Moses and Aaron counted them, following Jehovah’s instructions to Moses. 46So, Moses, Aaron, and the rulers of Israel counted all these Levites by family lines 47who were between twenty-five and fifty years old, and who serve, work at, and carry the things for the Tent of Proofs. 48All together, there were eight thousand five hundred and eighty who were counted. 49Then after they were counted (following the words of Jehovah through Moses), they appointed each man his job, and they reviewed his duties and discussed what he was to carry.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 2 OF THE LEVITES' SERVICE. (Num. 4:1-49)
sons of Kohath, from thirty years old and upward--This age was specifically fixed (see on
Num 8:24) as the full maturity of bodily energy to perform the laborious duties assigned them in the wilderness, as well as of mental activity to assist in the management of the sacred services. And it was the period of life at which John the Baptist and Christ entered on their respective ministries.
even unto fifty--The term prescribed for active duty was a period of twenty years, at the end of which they were exempted from the physical labors of the office, though still expected to attend in the tabernacle (
Num 8:26).
all that enter into the host--so called from their number, the order and discipline maintained through their ranks, and their special duty as guards of the tabernacle. The Hebrew word, however, signifies also a station or office; and hence the passage may be rendered, "All that enter into the sacerdotal office" (
Num 4:23).
4 This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath, &c.--They are mentioned first, from their close connection with Aaron; and the special department of duty assigned to them during the journeyings of Israel accorded with the charge they had received of the precious contents of the tabernacle. But these were to be previously covered by the common priests, who, as well as the high priest, were admitted on such necessary occasions into the holy place. This was an exception to the general rule, which prohibited the entrance of any but the high priest. But when the cloud removed from the tabernacle, the sanctuary might be entered by the common priests, as to them was reserved the exclusive privilege of packing the sacred utensils; and it was not till the holy things were thus ready for carriage, that the Kohathites were allowed to approach.
5 covering veil--the inner veil, which separated the holy from the most holy place. (See on
Exod 36:35).
6 covering of badgers' skins--(See on
Exod 25:5). The covering, however, referred to was not that of the tabernacle, but one made for the special purpose of protecting the ark.
put in the staves--These golden staves were now taken out. (See on
Exod 25:15, compared with
1Kgs 8:8). The Hebrew word rendered "put in," signifies also "dispose," and probably refers here to their insertion through the openings in the coverings made for receiving them, to preserve them from the touch of the carriers as well as from the influence of the weather. It is worthy of notice that the coverings did not consist of canvas or coarse tarpaulin, but of a kind which united beauty with decency.
7 continual showbread--Though the people were in the wilderness fed upon manna, the sacred loaves were constantly made of corn, which was probably raised in small quantities from the verdant patches of the desert.
10 a bar--or bier, formed of two poles fastened by two cross pieces and borne by two men, after the fashion of a sedan chair.
12 instruments of ministry--the official dress of the priests (
Exod 31:10).
13 shall take away the ashes from the altar, &c.--The necessity of removing ashes from the altar plainly implies that sacrifices were offered in the wilderness (compare
Exod 18:12;
Exod 24:4), though that rebellious race seems frequently to have neglected the duty (
Amos 5:25). No mention is made of the sacred fire; but as, by divine command, it was to be kept constantly burning, it must have been transferred to some pan or brazier under the covering, and borne by the appointed carriers.
15 the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it, but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die--The mode of transport was upon the shoulders of the Levites (see on
Num 7:9), although afterwards wheeled vehicles were employed (
2Sam 6:3;
1Chr 15:12). And it was allowed to touch the covering, but not the things covered, on the penalty of death, which was inflicted more than once (
1Sam 6:19;
2Sam 6:6-7). This stern denunciation was designed to inspire a sentiment of deep and habitual reverence in the minds of those who were officially engaged about holy things.
16 to the office of Eleazar . . . pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, &c.--He was charged with the special duty of superintending the squadron who were employed in the carrying of the sacred furniture; besides, to his personal care were committed the materials requisite for the daily service, and which it was necessary he should have easily at his command (
Exod 29:38).
17 Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites, &c.--a solemn admonition to Moses and Aaron to beware, lest, by any negligence on their part, disorder and improprieties should creep in, and to take the greatest care that all the parts of this important service be apportioned to the proper parties, lest the Kohathites should be disqualified for their high and honorable duties. The guilt of their death would be incurred by the superintending priest, if he failed to give proper directions or allowed any irreverent familiarity with sacred things.
24 This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, &c.--They were appointed to carry "the curtains of the tabernacle"--that is, the goats' hair covering of the tent--the ten curious curtains and embroidered hangings at the entrance, with their red morocco covering, &c.
28 their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron, &c.--The Levites were generally subject to the official command of the priests in doing the ordinary work of the tabernacle. But during the journeyings Eleazar, who was next in succession to his father, took the special charge of the Kohathites [
Num 4:16], while his brother Ithamar had the superintendence of the Gershonites and Merarites [
Num 4:33].
29 As for the sons of Merari--They carried the coarser and heavier appurtenances, which, however, were so important and necessary, that an inventory was kept of them--not only on account of their number and variety, but of their comparative commonness and smallness, which might have led to their being lost or missing through carelessness, inadvertency, or neglect. It was a useful lesson, showing that God disregards nothing pertaining to His service, and that even in the least and most trivial matters, He requires the duty of faithful obedience.
34 Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites, &c.--This enumeration was made on a different principle from that which is recorded in the preceding chapter [
Num 3:15]. That was confined to the males from a month old and upward, while this was extended to all capable of service in the three classes of the Levitical tribe. In considering their relative numbers, the wisdom of Divine Providence appears in arranging that, whereas in the Kohathites and Gershonites, whose burdens were few and easier, there were but about a third part of them which were fit for service; the Merarites, whose burdens were more and heavier, had above one half of them fit for this work [POOLE]. The small population of this tribe, so inferior to that of the other tribes, is attempted to be explained (see on
Num 3:39).
