(KJV) Numbers 41

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⥃The Duties of the Kohathites [ Numbers 3:27–32 † 1 Chronicles 23:12–20 ]

[1] And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, [2] Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,2 [3] From thirty years3 old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter4 into the host, to do5 the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. [4] This [shall be] the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, [about] the most holy things:6

[5] [¶]And when7 the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come8, and his sons, and they shall9 take down the covering vail, and cover10 the ark of testimony with it: [6] And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins11, and shall spread over [it] a cloth12 wholly of blue, and shall put13 in the staves14 thereof. [7] And upon the table15 of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal16: and the continual17 bread shall be thereon: [8] And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.18 [9] And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:19 [10] And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put [it] upon a bar.20 [11] And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:21 [12] And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put [them] in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put [them] on a bar:22 [13] And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:2324 [14] And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof25, wherewith they minister about it, [even] the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons26, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers’ skins, and put to the staves of it. [15] And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that27, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall28 not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things29 are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

[16] [¶]And to the office30 of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest [pertaineth] the oil31 for the light, and the sweet32 incense, and the daily33 meat offering, and the anointing34 oil, [and] the oversight35 of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein [is], in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

[17] [¶]And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, [18] Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:3637 [19] But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy38 things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden: [20] But they shall39 not go in to see when the holy things40 are covered, lest they die.

⥃The Duties of the Gershonites [ Numbers 3:21–26 † 1 Chronicles 23:7–11 ]

[21] And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, [22] Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;41 [23] From thirty years42 old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service43, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. [24] This [is] the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens44: [25] And they shall bear the curtains45 of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering46 of the badgers’ skins that [is] above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, [26] And the hangings47 of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which [is] by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords48, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve. [27] At the appointment49 of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens. [28] This [is] the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge [shall be] under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.50

⥃The Duties of the Merarites [ Numbers 3:33–37 † 1 Chronicles 23:21–23 ]

[29] [¶]As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers;51 [30] From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service52, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation. [31] And this [is] the charge53 of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards54 of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof, [32] And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name55 ye shall reckon the instruments56 of the charge of their burden. [33] This [is] the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand57 of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

⥃The Numbering of the Levite Clans

[34] And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers,58 [35] From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:59 [36] And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.60 [37] These [were] they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses. [38] And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers, [39] From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation, [40] Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.61 [41] These [are] they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the Lord.62

[42] [¶]And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, [43] From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation, [44] Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.6364 [45] These [be] those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.65 [46] All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers, [47] From thirty66 years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one67 that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation, [48] Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.68 [49] According to the69 commandment of the Lord they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one70 according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the Lord71 commanded Moses.

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  1. Num 4:1, The age at which the Levites were to begin to serve, and the duration of the service; Num 4:4, The duty of the Kohathites; Num 4:16, The charge of Eleazar; Num 4:17, The office of the priests; Num 4:21, The duty of the Gershonites; Num 4:29, of the Merarites; Num 4:34, The number of the Kohathites; Num 4:38, of the Gershonites Num 4:42, and of the Merarites. ↩

  2. Num 3:19, Num 3:27 ↩

  3. Num 8:24-26; Gen 41:46; 1Chr 23:3, 1Chr 23:24-27, 1Chr 28:12-13; Luke 3:23; 1Tim 3:6 ↩

  4. 2Kgs 11:4-12; 2Chr 23:1-11; 2Cor 10:3-4; Eph 6:10-18; 1Tim 1:18 ↩

  5. Num 3:7-8, Num 16:9; 1Chr 6:48, 1Chr 23:4-5, 1Chr 23:28-32; 1Tim 3:1 ↩

  6. Num 4:15, Num 4:19, Num 4:24, Num 4:30, Num 3:30-31; Mark 13:34 ↩

  7. Num 2:16-17, Num 10:14 ↩

  8. The law prohibiting any person, except the high priest on one day in the year, to enter into the most holy place, must have admitted an exception while the Israelites were in the wilderness. That exception, therefore, is here expressly made; and the directions given respecting it must be religiously observed, or the service could not be safely performed. While the cloud rested on the tabernacle, the general rule was in force; but when it was removed, then the priests might enter to prepare the sacred vessels for removal. Num 4:15, Num 3:27-32 ↩

  9. Exod 26:31-33, Exod 36:35, Exod 40:3; Isa 25:7; Matt 27:51; Heb 9:3, Heb 10:20 ↩

  10. Exod 25:10-22, Exod 37:1-9; 2Sam 6:2-9 ↩

  11. This was not the covering of badgers' skins made for the tabernacle, which was carried by the Gershonites (Num 4:24 and Num 4:25), but one made for the purpose of concealing and sheltering the ark when it was to be carried. ↩

  12. Num 4:7-8, Num 4:11-13; Exod 35:19, Exod 39:1, Exod 39:41 ↩

  13. Wesamoo baddaiv, rather, "and adjust the staves thereof;" i.e., dispose them rightly under the covering, that they might be laid on their shoulders. For the staves were never taken out of the rings. ↩

  14. Exod 25:13-15; 1Kgs 8:7-8 ↩

  15. Exod 25:23-30, Exod 37:10-16; Lev 24:5-8 ↩

  16. or, pour out withal ↩

  17. The Israelites, without doubt, were able to procure corn enough from the adjacent countries, even when in the wilderness, to make the shewbread, and to present the daily meat offerings. ↩

  18. Num 4:6-7, Num 4:9, Num 4:11-13 ↩

  19. Exod 25:31-39, Exod 37:17-24; Ps 119:105; Rev 1:20, Rev 2:1 ↩

  20. Num 4:6, Num 4:12 ↩

  21. Exod 30:1-19, Exod 37:25-28, Exod 39:38, Exod 40:5, Exod 40:26-27 ↩

  22. Num 4:7, Num 4:9, Num 3:8; Exod 25:9, Exod 31:10; 2Kgs 25:14-15; 1Chr 9:29; 2Chr 4:11, 2Chr 4:16, 2Chr 4:19, 2Chr 4:22 ↩

  23. The embers of the sacred fire seem to have been removed in the grate, which was carried apart from the brazen altar; both being covered from view by purple cloths. ↩

  24. Num 4:6-9, Num 4:11-12; Exod 27:3-5, Exod 39:1, Exod 39:41; Lev 6:12-13 ↩

  25. Exod 38:1-7; 2Chr 4:19 ↩

  26. or, bowls ↩

  27. Num 7:9, Num 10:21; Deut 31:9; Josh 4:10; 2Sam 6:13; 1Chr 15:2, 1Chr 15:15 ↩

  28. Num 3:38; Exod 19:12; 1Sam 6:19; 2Sam 6:6-7; 1Chr 13:9-10; Heb 12:18-29 ↩

  29. Num 3:30-31 ↩

  30. Eleazar himself, perhaps with the other priests, was required to carry the oil for the light, the incense, and the flour for the daily meat offering, and the holy ointment; besides superintending the Levites. It may be supposed, that he himself carried no more of the oil than for present use (see note on Num 4:9). Num 3:32 ↩

  31. Exod 25:6, Exod 27:20-21; Lev 24:2 ↩

  32. Exod 30:34-38, Exod 37:29 ↩

  33. Exod 29:39-41 ↩

  34. Exod 30:23-33 ↩

  35. Luke 4:18; Acts 20:28; 1Cor 4:1; 1Tim 2:5; Heb 3:1, Heb 3:6; 1Pet 2:25, 1Pet 5:2 ↩

  36. Eleazar and the priests would be chargeable with the death of the Kohathites, if they failed to give them proper cautions and directions; or permitted them to gaze with irreverence or curiosity upon the holy things, which they might carry, but not see (Num 4:20). ↩

  37. Num 16:32, Num 17:10, Num 18:5; Exod 19:21; Lev 10:1-2; 1Sam 6:19; 2Sam 6:6-7; Jer 38:23 ↩

  38. Num 4:4 ↩

  39. Num 4:15, Num 4:19; Exod 19:21; Lev 10:2; 1Sam 6:19; Heb 10:19-20; Rev 11:19 ↩

  40. Hakkodesh, "the holy," or "sanctuary," i.e., the ark, as the Jews generally understand it; and with good reason, as any one may be convinced, who compares 1Kgs 8:8 with 2Chr 5:9, where that which is called the holy in the former, is called the ark in the latter. ↩

  41. Num 3:18, Num 3:21, Num 3:24 ↩

  42. Num 4:3 ↩

  43. Heb. to war the warfare, Num 4:3; Isa 63:1-4; Rom 7:14-24; 1Cor 9:7; 2Cor 6:7, 2Cor 10:3-5; Eph 6:10-19; Gal 5:17, Gal 5:24; 1Tim 1:18; 2Tim 2:3-4, 2Tim 4:7 ↩

  44. or, carriage, Num 4:15, Num 4:19, Num 4:27, Num 4:31-32, Num 4:47, Num 4:49 ↩

  45. Num 3:25-26, Num 7:5-7 ↩

  46. Exod 26:14 ↩

  47. Exod 27:9 ↩

  48. Exod 35:18 ↩

  49. Heb. mouth, The Levites were under the command of the priests. Eleazar exercised this authority in general, as next in succession to Aaron, and he in particular was placed over the Kohathites; while Ithamar, his younger brother, commanded the Gershonites and Merarites (Num 4:33). Luke 1:70; 1Cor 11:2 ↩

  50. Num 4:33; 1Cor 12:5-6 ↩

  51. Num 3:33-35 ↩

  52. Heb. warfare, Num 4:3, Num 4:23; Ps 110:1-7; 1Tim 6:11-12; 2Tim 2:4, 2Tim 4:7-8 ↩

  53. Num 3:36-37, Num 7:8-9 ↩

  54. Exod 26:15 ↩

  55. An inventory was taken of every particular, even to the very pins belonging to each part, that nothing might be wanting when the tabernacle was set up. ↩

  56. Num 3:8, Num 7:1; Exod 25:9, Exod 38:17, Exod 38:21; 1Chr 9:29 ↩

  57. Num 4:28; Josh 3:6; Isa 3:6 ↩

  58. Num 4:2 ↩

  59. Num 4:3, Num 4:23, Num 4:30, Num 4:39, Num 4:43, Num 4:47, Num 8:24-26; 1Chr 23:3, 1Chr 23:24, 1Chr 23:26-27, 1Chr 28:13; Luke 3:23; 1Tim 3:6 ↩

  60. In the third chapter we have an account of the whole number of the Levites; and here of those only who were able to serve the Lord in the sanctuary. By comparing the two places, we find the number of the effective and ineffective males. Thus we find that the whole number of the Levites amounted to 22,300; of whom 8,580 were fit for service and 13,720 unfit, being either too old or too young. What an astonishing number of men, all performing some service by which God was glorified, and the congregation at large benefited! ↩

  61. Num 3:32 ↩

  62. Num 4:22 ↩

  63. The family of Merari, though smaller than either of the other families of Levi, yet had a greater number of able men than any of them; for out of 6,200 males of a month old and upwards, we find 3,200 who were neither too young nor too old for the service of the sanctuary; which was more than one-half of their whole number. In this the wisdom and providence of God appear most conspicuously; for the Merarites were charged with the heaviest part of the sanctuary, as the boards, bars, sockets, etc; and though waggons were afterwards provided for them, yet the loading and unloading of the sockets, and other things of great weight, would require much strength, both bodily and numerical. (Compare Num 4:36 and Num 4:40, with Num 3:22, Num 3:28, Num 3:24.) Thus God ever manifests his wisdom, in fitting men for the work to which they are appointed, whether with respect to number or gifts: "For to one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; to another faith, by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing, by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues, but all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." ↩

  64. Num 3:34; Deut 33:25; 1Cor 10:13, 1Cor 12:8-12; 2Cor 12:9-10 ↩

  65. Num 4:29 ↩

  66. Num 4:3, Num 4:23, Num 4:30; 1Chr 23:3, 1Chr 23:27 ↩

  67. Num 4:15, Num 4:24, Num 4:37; Rom 12:6-8; 1Cor 12:4-31 ↩

  68. Num 3:39; Matt 7:14, Matt 20:16, Matt 22:15 ↩

  69. Num 4:37, Num 4:41, Num 4:45, Num 1:54, Num 2:33, Num 3:51 ↩

  70. Num 4:15, Num 4:24, Num 4:31; Isa 11:2-4, Isa 42:1-7, Isa 49:1-8; Rom 12:4-8 ↩

  71. Num 4:1, Num 4:21 ↩