Numbers 10:17

17 And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari moved forward, bearing the tabernacle.

Numbers 10:17 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 10:17

And the tabernacle was taken down
By the Levites, as Aben Ezra, and which appears to be their work, from ( Numbers 1:51 ) ; this began to be done by them as soon as the cloud was perceived to move upwards, and the camp of Judah was preparing to march; and after Aaron and his sons had taken the holy vessels out of the holy and most holy place, and had packed up and covered them as directed, ( Numbers 4:5-15 ) ; this was an emblem of the taking down of the Jewish church state, the abolition of the service of the sanctuary, as well as of the changeable condition of the Gospel church in the wilderness, which is not always in one and the same place, but is moved from place to place, and that by the ministers of the word, signified by the Levites, who are sent and carry the Gospel here and there:

and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing
the tabernacle;
the former, the hangings and vail, and the latter the boards, pillars, sockets each of them having wagons for their assistance: these followed immediately after the camp of Judah.

Numbers 10:17 In-Context

15 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar [was] Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
16 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun [was] Eliab the son of Helon.
17 And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari moved forward, bearing the tabernacle.
18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben moved forward according to their armies: and over his host [was] Elizur the son of Shedeur.
19 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon [was] Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
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