Numbers 4:7

7 And over the ¹table of the bread of the Presence they shall spread a cloth of blue and put on it the plates, the dishes for incense, the bowls, and the flagons for the drink offering; ²the regular showbread also shall be on it.

Numbers 4:7 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 4:7

And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of
blue
That that also might not be seen nor touched by the Levites:

and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and the
covers to cover withal:
all which belonged to the shewbread table; the use of which, (See Gill on Exodus 25:29); these seem to be put not immediately upon the table, but upon the blue cloth spread over the table:

and the continual bread shall be thereon:
the shewbread is called "continual", because it was always on the table; for while the one was removing by a set of priests, which had stood a week, new loaves were placed by another set of priests: this bread seems at this time to be placed also upon the table, spread with the blue cloth; and from hence it appears, that the Israelites had the shewbread in the wilderness; for the making of which they might be supplied with corn from the neighbouring countries, though they themselves needed not any, being daily fed with manna.

Numbers 4:7 In-Context

5 When the camp is to set out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it.

6 Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles.

7 And over the table of the bread of the Presence they shall spread a cloth of blue and put on it the plates, the dishes for incense, the bowls, and the flagons for the drink offering; the regular showbread also shall be on it.

8 Then they shall spread over them a cloth of scarlet and cover the same with a covering of goatskin, and shall put in its poles.

9 And they shall take a cloth of blue and cover the lampstand for the light, with its lamps, its tongs, its trays, and all the vessels for oil with which it is supplied.

Cross References

• 1. Ex. 25:23, 29, 30; Exodus 37:16; Leviticus 24:6, 8
• 2. 2 Chronicles 2:4