Numbers 4:1-7

1 locutusque est Dominus ad Mosen et Aaron dicens

2 tolle summam filiorum Caath de medio Levitarum per domos et familias suas

3 a tricesimo anno et supra usque ad quinquagesimum annum omnium qui ingrediuntur ut stent et ministrent in tabernaculo foederis

4 hic est cultus filiorum Caath tabernaculum foederis et sanctum sanctorum

5 ingredientur Aaron et filii eius quando movenda sunt castra et deponent velum quod pendet ante fores involventque eo arcam testimonii

6 et operient rursum velamine ianthinarum pellium extendentque desuper pallium totum hyacinthinum et inducent vectes

7 mensam quoque propositionis involvent hyacinthino pallio et ponent cum ea turibula et mortariola cyatos et crateras ad liba fundenda panes semper in ea erunt

Numbers 4:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 4

This chapter relates an order to number the Levites fit for business, and gives an account of the time and age when they should enter into service, and how long they should continue therein, Nu 4:1-3; what their particular service should be; and first of the Kohathites, Nu 4:4-20; next of the Gershonites, Nu 4:21-28; and then of the Merarites, Nu 4:29-33; after which Moses and Aaron, with the chief of the congregation, numbered each of them, even as many as were at the age fit for service, as the Kohathites, Nu 4:34-37; the Gershonites, Nu 4:38-41; the Merarites, Nu 4:42-45; the sum total of which is given, Nu 4:46-49.