Keraia
Numbers 4

Numbers 4:30

The Duties of the Merarites · Numbers 4:29–33
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Translations

Modern
…from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting.
Traditional
From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Literal
…from a son of thirty years and above, and to a son of fifty years, you shall number them, everyone who enters the service, to do the work of the Tent of Meeting.
Latin
…a triginta annis et supra, usque ad annos quinquaginta, omnes qui ingrediuntur ad officium ministerii sui et cultum fœderis testimonii.

Original

Hebrew
English
…from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting.

Notes

Numbers 4:29–33

This assignment to the Merarite clan involved items of lower priority than those of the Kohathites and Gershonites. It had to be done in a specific way, with each man's load assigned by name (4:32; see also 1 Corinthians 14:40). The Gershonites and Merarites did not have the status of Kohath’s family. Yet, each group helped move and set up the Tent of Meeting.

Numbers 4:1–49

  • This section continues the discussion from 3:21–37 about the duties of the three Levite clans. The Levites carried and cared for the Tent of Meeting while traveling and camping. Other tribes always surrounded them to protect them and their valuable cargo (2:17). They placed the holy items of God in the center of the tribes. The priests and their Levitical assistants kept these items holy by separating them.

  • God, in his holiness, deserves to have the details of his will given careful attention. The Tent of Meeting and its furnishings were holy. The tribe of Levi had to maintain the difference between holy and common, and between ceremonially clean and unclean. This is why there is so much information about the duties of the three Levite clans.

Numbers 3:1–4:49

Israel's priests and Levites had duties like moving, assembling, protecting, and maintaining the Tent of Meeting. The way God organized the tribes highlighted his concern for these priestly tasks.

Parallels

Numbers 3:33–37 1 Chronicles 23:21–23

Glossary

Ark of the Covenant Biblical Concept of Law David Deuteronomy, Book of Ithamar Kohath, Kohathites Mahli Numbers, Book of Priests and Levites

Topics

Levites: Age of when Inducted Into office Levites: Functions of had Charge of the Tabernacle in the Encampments and on the March Tabernacle: How and by Whom Carried The Levites: Numbered As Ministers at Thirty The Levites: Services of Taking Down, Putting Up, and Carrying the Tabernacle