Keraia
Numbers 4

Numbers 4:5

The Duties of the Kohathites · Numbers 4:1–20
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Translations

Modern
Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.
Traditional
And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
Literal
…and Aaron and his sons shall come in the setting forth of the camp, and they shall take down the veil of the screen, and cover with it the ark of the Testimony.
Latin
…ingredientur Aaron et filii ejus, quando movenda sunt castra, et deponent velum quod pendet ante fores, involventque eo arcam testimonii,

Original

Hebrew
English
Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.

Notes

Numbers 4:4–20

The duties of the Kohathites come first because they handled the most holy objects (see 3:27–32). This might be because Aaron and the priests came from this clan (1 Chronicles 6:2–3). Their tasks included carrying, setting up, and folding up these holy and very important coverings and furnishings.

The items entrusted to Kohath's descendants were very valuable. These included:

  • the ark of the Testimony,

  • the table of the Bread of the Presence,

  • the lampstand (Hebrew menorah),

  • the gold incense altar, and

  • the altar for sacrifices.

Exodus 25–30 first describes these objects. But Numbers shows how the Hebrews used them in daily life. The Kohathites carried these items on poles or in frames. They could not touch them or enter the sanctuary to look at them, or they would die.

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 3:27–32 1 Chronicles 23:12–20

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel

Glossary

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

Topics

Altar of Incense: How Prepared for Carrying Ark of the Covenant: Covered with the Vail by the Priests Before Removal Ark of the Covenant: Profanation of, Punished Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: How Prepared for Conveyance Colors: Blue: Symbol of Deity Holy of Holies: The Priests Allowed to Enter, and Prepare the Holy Things For Levites: Functions of had Charge of the Tabernacle in the Encampments and on the March Levites: The Remaining Families Appointed to Take Charge of the Ark of the Covenant Priest: Duties of Responsible for the Sanctuary Priests: Services of Covering the Sacred Things of the Sanctuary Before Removal Tabernacle: How and by Whom Carried Tabernacle: How Prepared for Removal During the Travels of the Israelites The Levites: Services of Taking Down, Putting Up, and Carrying the Tabernacle Vail: A Covering for the Ark of the Covenant