Numbers 4:5-14

5 When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and put it over the ark of the covenant law.

6 Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather,^[a] spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place.

7 “Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings; the bread that is continually there is to remain on it.

8 They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

9 “They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays, and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it.

10 Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.

11 “Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

12 “They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.

13 “They are to remove the ashes from the bronze altar and spread a purple cloth over it.

14 Then they are to place on it all the utensils used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans, meat forks, shovels and sprinkling bowls. Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles in place.

Numbers 4:5-14 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.

Cross References

• 1. Numbers 1:51
• 2. S Exodus 26:31,33
• 3. 1 Chronicles 23:26; Exodus 25:10,16
• 4. S Exodus 25:5
• 5. S Exodus 25:13-15; 1 Kings 8:7; 2 Chronicles 5:8
• 6. Exodus 25:23,29; S Leviticus 24:6
• 7. Exodus 39:36; Jeremiah 52:19
• 8. S Exodus 25:30
• 9. Exodus 26:26-28
• 10. S Exodus 25:38; Ex 25:31,37,38
• 11. ver 12
• 12. S Exodus 30:1
• 13. Exodus 30:4
• 14. Numbers 3:31
• 15. ver 10
• 16. S Leviticus 1:16
• 17. Exodus 27:1-8; Numbers 3:31
• 18. S Exodus 31:9
• 19. S Exodus 27:3
• 20. 1 Chronicles 28:17; 2 Chronicles 4:16
• 21. 2 Chronicles 4:11
• 22. Exodus 27:3; Numbers 7:84; 2 Chronicles 4:8; Jeremiah 52:18
• 23. Exodus 27:6

Footnotes

• [a]. Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals; also in verses 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 25