Numbers 4:1-11

1 God spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said,

2 "Number the Kohathite line of Levites by clan and family.

3 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age, all who enter the ministry to work in the Tent of Meeting.

4 "This is the assigned work of the Kohathites in the Tent of Meeting: care of the most holy things.

5 "When the camp is ready to set out, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the covering curtain and cover the Chest of The Testimony with it.

6 Then they are to cover this with a dolphin skin, spread a solid blue cloth on top, and insert the poles.

7 "Then they are to spread a blue cloth on the Table of the Presence and set the Table with plates, incense dishes, bowls, and jugs for drink offerings. The bread that is always there stays on the Table.

8 They are to cover these with a scarlet cloth, and on top of that spread the dolphin skin, and insert the poles.

9 "They are to use a blue cloth to cover the light-giving Lampstand and the lamps, snuffers, trays, and the oil jars that go with it.

10 Then they are to wrap it all in a covering of dolphin skin and place it on a carrying frame.

11 "They are to spread a blue cloth over the Gold Altar and cover it with dolphin skins and place it on a carrying frame.

Numbers 4:1-11 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.