Numbers 7:9

9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave nothing; because they had the care of the holy place, taking it about on their backs.

Numbers 7:9 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 7:9

But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none
Being all disposed of to the sons of Gershon and Merari: the reason of which follows,

because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them [was that]
they should bear upon their shoulders;
as the ark with the mercy seat, and cherubim, the shewbread table, the candlestick, and the two altars; though in later times we find the ark was sometimes not only carried by the priests, but upon a cart, ( Joshua 3:17 ) ( 4:10 ) ( 2 Samuel 6:3 ) .

Numbers 7:9 In-Context

7 Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon for their work;

8 And four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari for their work, under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.

9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave nothing; because they had the care of the holy place, taking it about on their backs.

10 And the chiefs gave an offering for the altar on the day when the holy oil was put on it; they made their offering before the altar.

11 And the Lord said to Moses, Let every chief on his day give his offering to make the altar holy.