Numeri 4:6

6 Poi mettanvi sopra una coverta di pelli di tasso, e stendano disopra un drappo tutto di violato; e mettano le stanghe all’Arca.

Numeri 4:6 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 4:6

And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins
Not that which covered the tabernacle, for that was committed to the Gershonites, ( Numbers 4:25 ) ; but a covering made of these on purpose for the present use, to preserve the ark from rain and dust; and this covering was put not immediately upon the ark, but upon the other coverings that were over the ark, and so preserved the vail as well as the ark:

and shall spread over [it] a cloth wholly of blue;
it is a matter of question, whether this was over the covering of badgers' skins also; if over the latter, as one would think it should be, by the order of the text, how could that be a shelter from the rain and dust, which seems to be the use of it, and therefore should be the outermost, as one of the same kind was the outermost covering of the tabernacle? Aben Ezra observes, there were some that say it was over the covering of badger's skin, but it is right in mine eyes, says he, that it was spread over the covering vail; if indeed it was for the sake of honour and dignity, the first is right, but the badger's skin was on account of rain and dust:

and shall put in the staves thereof:
having been removed while the ark was covering, as Aben Ezra observes, or otherwise they always remained in their rings, and were never taken out, ( Exodus 25:14 Exodus 25:15 ) ; but on this occasion they might, and then be put in again for the carrying of the ark, which was the use of them; though he also remarks, that there are some that say the sense is, they put the staves on the shoulders of them that carried it, which is not a despicable sense; unless rather it is to be understood of putting the staves through holes made in the coverings of the ark, and disposing and fitting them in them, for the better carriage of it.

Numeri 4:6 In-Context

4 Questo è il servizio de’ figliuoli di Chehat, nel Tabernacolo della convenenza, nelle cose santissime.

5 Quando il campo si moverà, vengano Aaronne ed i suoi figliuoli, e pongan giù la Cortina che si tende davanti all’Arca, e copre l’Arca della Testimonianza.

6 Poi mettanvi sopra una coverta di pelli di tasso, e stendano disopra un drappo tutto di violato; e mettano le stanghe all’Arca.

7 Poi stendano sopra la Tavola di presenza un drappo di violato; e mettano sopra essa i piattelli, e le scodelle, e le coppe, e i nappi da fare gli spargimenti; sia parimente sopra essa il pane continuo.

8 E stendano sopra quelle cose un drappo di scarlatto, e coprano quello con una coverta di pelli di tasso; poi mettano le stanghe alla Tavola.