Numbers 4:20

20 but they shall not go in and see for a moment the holy things, lest they die.

Numbers 4:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 4:20

But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are
covered
They were not to be present while they were packing up, test they should see any of them with their eyes; they were not to go in until they were quite covered out of sight; which may signify the hiding of the mysteries of grace in those things under the former dispensation, when even the Levites themselves were not admitted to a sight of them; see ( Ephesians 3:4 Ephesians 3:5 ) ;

lest they die;
by the immediate hand of God.

Numbers 4:20 In-Context

18 Ye shall not cut off the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites,

19 but this shall ye do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they draw near unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden;

20 but they shall not go in and see for a moment the holy things, lest they die.

21 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,

22 Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, according to their fathers' houses, after their families.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit. 'like a swallowing (of spittle):' Job. 7.19.