Numbers 7:9

9 But to the descendants of Kohath he did not give [anything] because the work of the sanctuary they carried upon them on their shoulders.

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 utility carts and four cattle he gave to the descendants of Gershon {according to their required service};

8 and four utility carts and eight cattle he gave to the descendants of Merari {according to their required service}, {under the authority of} Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

9 But to the descendants of Kohath he did not give [anything] because the work of the sanctuary they carried upon them on their shoulders.

10 The leaders presented offerings for the dedication of the altar on [the] day of its anointing, and the leaders presented their offerings {before} the altar.

11 Yahweh said to Moses, "{One leader for each day} will present their offering for the dedication of the altar."

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "sons"
• [b]. Hebrew "the shoulder"