Numbers 4:19-29

19 sed hoc facite eis ut vivant et non moriantur si tetigerint sancta sanctorum Aaron et filii eius intrabunt ipsique disponent opera singulorum et divident quid portare quis debeat

20 alii nulla curiositate videant quae sunt in sanctuario priusquam involvantur alioquin morientur

21 locutus est Dominus ad Mosen dicens

22 tolle summam etiam filiorum Gerson per domos ac familias et cognationes suas

23 a triginta annis et supra usque ad annos quinquaginta numera omnes qui ingrediuntur et ministrant in tabernaculo foederis

24 hoc est officium familiae Gersonitarum

25 ut portent cortinas tabernaculi et tectum foederis operimentum aliud et super omnia velamen ianthinum tentoriumque quod pendet in introitu foederis tabernaculi

26 cortinas atrii et velum in introitu quod est ante tabernaculum omnia quae ad altare pertinent funiculos et vasa ministerii

27 iubente Aaron et filiis eius portabunt filii Gerson et scient singuli cui debeant oneri mancipari

28 hic est cultus familiae Gersonitarum in tabernaculo foederis eruntque sub manu Ithamar filii Aaron sacerdotis

29 filios quoque Merari per familias et domos patrum suorum recensebis

Numbers 4:19-29 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.