Numbers 4:8

8 They must spread a bright red cloth over everything. Then they must cover that with the hides of sea cows. And they must put the poles of the table in place.

Numbers 4:8 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 4:8

And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet
Upon the dishes and other vessels belonging to the shewbread table, and on the shewbread itself:

and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins;
this was clearly the outward covering, and seems to confirm the observation made in ( Numbers 4:6 ) ; that the same sort of covering was the outermost covering of the ark:

and shall put in the staves thereof;
which belonged to the table, and were made to carry it with on occasion, from place to place; see ( Exodus 25:27 Exodus 25:28 ) ; and the same phrase being used as here of the staves of the ark in ( Numbers 4:6 ) ; seems to confirm the sense of them there, that they were taken out and put in upon this occasion, though otherwise fixed.

Numbers 4:8 In-Context

6 Then they must cover that with the hides of sea cows. They must spread a solid blue cloth over the hides. And they must put the poles in place.

7 "They must spread a blue cloth over the table for the holy bread. They must put the plates, dishes and bowls on the cloth. They must also put the jars for drink offerings on it. The bread that is always kept there must remain on it.

8 They must spread a bright red cloth over everything. Then they must cover that with the hides of sea cows. And they must put the poles of the table in place.

9 "They must get a blue cloth. With it they must cover the lampstand that gives light. They must also cover its lamps, trays and wick cutters. And they must cover all of its jars. The jars are for the olive oil that is used in the lampstand.

10 Then Aaron and his sons must wrap the lampstand and all of the things that are used with it. They must cover it with the hides of sea cows. And they must put it on a frame to carry it.