Numbers 3:36

Numbers 3:36 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items,

King James Version KJV

And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,

American Standard Version ASV

And the appointed charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the instruments thereof, and all the service thereof,

Bible in Basic English BBE

And in their care are to be all the boards of the Tent, with their rods and pillars and bases, and all the instruments, and all they are used for,

Free Bible Version FBV

Their assigned responsibility was to take care of the Tabernacle's frames, crossbars, posts, stands, all its equipment, and everything connected with their use,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And in ye charge and custodie of the sonnes of Merari shall be the boardes of the Tabernacle, and the barres thereof, and his pillars, and his sockets, and al the instruments therof, and al that serueth thereto,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the oversight — the charge of the sons of Merari — [is] the boards of the tabernacle, and its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets, and all its vessels, and all its service,

World English Bible WEB

The appointed duty of the sons of Merari shall be the tabernacle’s boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, all its instruments, all its service,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets, and all its vessels, and all that serveth to it.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Under their custody shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars, and the pillars and their sockets, and all things that pertain to this kind of service:

Translation for Translators T4T

The work of the men of those two clans was to take care of the frames that held up the tent, the crossbars, the pillars, and the bases. They also did all the work that was connected with those items.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:36

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 3:36 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּ/פְקֻדַּ֣ת מִשְׁמֶרֶת֮ בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִי֒ קַרְשֵׁי֙ הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֔ן וּ/בְרִיחָ֖י/ו וְ/עַמֻּדָ֣י/ו וַ/אֲדָנָ֑י/ו וְ/כָל כֵּלָ֔י/ו וְ/כֹ֖ל עֲבֹדָתֽ/וֹ

וּ/פְקֻדַּ֣ת pᵉquddâh H6486 punishment Conj | N-fs

מִשְׁמֶרֶת֮ mishmereth H4931 charge N-fs

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 son N-mp

מְרָרִי֒ Mᵉrârîy H4847 Merari N-proper

קַרְשֵׁי֙ qeresh H7175 board N-mp

הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֔ן mishkân H4908 tabernacle Art | N-ms

וּ/בְרִיחָ֖י/ו bᵉrîyach H1280 bar Conj | N-mp | Suff

וְ/עַמֻּדָ֣י/ו ʻammûwd H5982 pillar Conj | N-mp | Suff

וַ/אֲדָנָ֑י/ו ʼeden H134 socket Conj | N-mp | Suff

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms

כֵּלָ֔י/ו kᵉlîy H3627 article/utensil N-mp | Suff

וְ/כֹ֖ל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms

עֲבֹדָתֽ/וֹ ʻăbôdâh H5656 service N-fs | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:36

וּ/פְקֻדַּ֣ת pᵉquddâh H6486 "punishment" Conj | N-fs

This noun refers to a visitation, which can be an official oversight, care, or punishment. It is used in different contexts, including mustering, storing, or meting out punishment. The KJV translates it as account, charge, or oversight, among other words.

Definition: 1) oversight, care, custody, mustering, visitation, store 1a) visitation, punishment 1b) oversight, charge, office, overseer, class of officers 1c) mustering 1d) store

Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: account, (that have the) charge, custody, that which...laid up, numbers, office(-r), ordering, oversight, [phrase] prison, reckoning, visitation. See also: Numbers 3:32; Isaiah 10:3; Psalms 109:8.

מִשְׁמֶרֶת֮ mishmereth H4931 "charge" N-fs

Mishmereth refers to a guard or watch, such as a sentry or a post, emphasizing the act of preservation or safekeeping, like a duty or obligation to protect something or someone.

Definition: 1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch 1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement 1b) keeping, preserving 1c) charge, injunction 1d) office, function (ceremonial)

Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. See also: Genesis 26:5; Joshua 22:3; Isaiah 21:8.

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

מְרָרִי֒ Mᵉrârîy H4847 "Merari" N-proper

Merari was a man in the Bible, the third son of Levi and head of a family of Levites. His name means 'bitter' and he's mentioned in Genesis as an ancestor of the tribe of Levi.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11; son of: Levi (H3878); brother of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955) and Jochebed (H3115); father of: Mahli (H4249), Mushi (H4187) and Jaaziah (H3269) Also named: me.ra.ri (מְרָרִי "Merari" H4848) § Merari = "bitter" the 3rd son of Levi and head of a Levitical family

Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: Merari. See also H4848 (מְרָרִי). See also: Genesis 46:11; 1 Chronicles 6:1; Ezra 8:19.

קַרְשֵׁי֙ qeresh H7175 "board" N-mp

This Hebrew word refers to a flat piece of wood, like a board or plank, often used in building ships or other structures. It appears in descriptions of the tabernacle and Solomon's temple. The KJV Bible translates it as 'board' or 'bench'.

Definition: 1) board, boards, plank 1a) board 1b) boards

Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: bench, board. See also: Exodus 26:15; Exodus 36:22; Ezekiel 27:6.

הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֔ן mishkân H4908 "tabernacle" Art | N-ms

The tabernacle was a special tent where God met with the Israelites, as described in Exodus and Leviticus. It was a portable place of worship, like a dwelling place for God. The Israelites carried it with them.

Definition: 1) dwelling place, tabernacle 1a) dwelling-place 1b) dwellings Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)

Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. See also: Exodus 25:9; Numbers 3:23; Psalms 26:8.

וּ/בְרִיחָ֖י/ו bᵉrîyach H1280 "bar" Conj | N-mp | Suff

A bar or bolt, often made of wood, used to secure city gates or as a symbol of tribulation. It represents a fortress or a prison.

Definition: 1) bar 1a) of wood 1b) of city gates 2) of tribulation, a fortress, of the earth as a prison (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: bar, fugitive. See also: Exodus 26:26; 2 Chronicles 14:6; Psalms 107:16.

וְ/עַמֻּדָ֣י/ו ʻammûwd H5982 "pillar" Conj | N-mp | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a pillar or column, often used as a symbol of strength or support. It can also describe a platform or a stand, like a column of smoke rising into the air. The word is used in various contexts, including architecture and nature.

Definition: 1) pillar, column 1a) pillar 1b) column, upright 1c) column (of smoke)

Usage: Occurs in 84 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] apiece, pillar. See also: Exodus 13:21; 1 Kings 7:3; Psalms 75:4.

וַ/אֲדָנָ֑י/ו ʼeden H134 "socket" Conj | N-mp | Suff

Eden means a strong foundation or base, like a pedestal or socket. It is used to describe the earth's foundation and the bases of the tabernacle. The word signifies a firm and strong base.

Definition: 1) base, pedestal, socket (strong, firm) 1a) pedestals of gold on which marble pillars were set 1b) pedestals of the earth, foundation of the earth 1c) pedestals, bases, or sockets on which tabernacle stood

Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: foundation, socket. See also: Exodus 26:19; Exodus 36:38; Song of Solomon 5:15.

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

כֵּלָ֔י/ו kᵉlîy H3627 "article/utensil" N-mp | Suff

This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.

Definition: 1) article, vessel, implement, utensil 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel 1b1) implement (of hunting or war) 1b2) implement (of music) 1b3) implement, tool (of labour) 1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen) 1b5) utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general) 1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed

Usage: Occurs in 276 OT verses. KJV: armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. See also: Genesis 24:53; 1 Samuel 14:13; Ezra 8:26.

וְ/כֹ֖ל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

עֲבֹדָתֽ/וֹ ʻăbôdâh H5656 "service" N-fs | Suff

This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.

Definition: : service[as_servant/slave] 1) labour, service 1a) labour, work 1b) labour (of servant or slave) 1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects) 1d) service (of God)

Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. See also: Genesis 29:27; Numbers 18:6; Psalms 104:14.

Study Notes — Numbers 3:36

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 3:36 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:36
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:36
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:36
Sermons on Numbers 3:36

Context — The Merarites

34The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200. 35The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.

36The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items,

37as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes. 38Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 26:32	Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood, overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.
2	Exodus 26:37	Make five posts of acacia wood for the curtain, overlay them with gold hooks, and cast five bronze bases for them.
3	Exodus 26:15–29	You are to construct upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Two tenons must be connected to each other for each frame. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. Construct twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle, with forty silver bases under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon. For the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, make twenty frames and forty silver bases—two bases under each frame. Make six frames for the rear of the tabernacle, the west side, and two frames for the two back corners of the tabernacle, coupled together from bottom to top and fitted into a single ring. These will serve as the two corners. So there are to be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame. You are also to make five crossbars of acacia wood for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, five for those on the other side, and five for those on the rear side of the tabernacle, to the west. The central crossbar in the middle of the frames shall extend from one end to the other. Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.
4	Exodus 35:11	the tabernacle with its tent and covering, its clasps and frames, its crossbars, posts, and bases;
5	Exodus 39:33	Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent with all its furnishings, its clasps, its frames, its crossbars, and its posts and bases;
6	Numbers 7:8	and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
7	Exodus 36:20–34	Next, he constructed upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. Each frame was ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Two tenons were connected to each other for each frame. He made all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. He constructed twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle, with forty silver bases to put under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon. For the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, he made twenty frames and forty silver bases—two bases under each frame. He made six frames for the rear of the tabernacle, the west side, and two frames for the two back corners of the tabernacle, coupled together from bottom to top and fitted into a single ring. He made both corners in this way. So there were eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame. He also made five crossbars of acacia wood for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, five for those on the other side, and five for those on the rear side of the tabernacle, to the west. He made the central crossbar to run through the center of the frames, from one end to the other. And he overlaid the frames with gold and made gold rings to hold the crossbars. He also overlaid the crossbars with gold.
8	Exodus 35:18	the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, along with their ropes;
9	Exodus 36:36	He also made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold, along with gold hooks; and he cast four silver bases for the posts.
10	Exodus 27:9–19	You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. On the south side of the courtyard make curtains of finely spun linen, a hundred cubits long on one side, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and silver hooks and bands on the posts. Likewise there are to be curtains on the north side, a hundred cubits long, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. The curtains on the west side of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits wide, with ten posts and ten bases. The east side of the courtyard, toward the sunrise, is to be fifty cubits wide. Make the curtains on one side fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases, and the curtains on the other side fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases. The gate of the courtyard shall be twenty cubits long, with a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It shall have four posts and four bases. All the posts around the courtyard shall have silver bands, silver hooks, and bronze bases. The entire courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide, with curtains of finely spun linen five cubits high, and with bronze bases. All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, including all its tent pegs and the tent pegs of the courtyard, shall be made of bronze.

Numbers 3:36 Summary

[The sons of Merari were given specific jobs to do in the tabernacle, like taking care of the frames, crossbars, and posts, as stated in Numbers 3:36. This shows us that everyone has a role to play in serving God, no matter how big or small the task may seem, just like in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. By fulfilling our duties faithfully, we can work together to worship and serve God, just like the Israelites did in the wilderness, as described in Exodus 25:8 and Hebrews 8:5.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the specific duties assigned to the sons of Merari in Numbers 3:36?

The sons of Merari were responsible for the tabernacle's frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment, as well as the service for these items, as stated in Numbers 3:36, and also the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, as mentioned in Numbers 3:37.

Why was it important for the sons of Merari to have specific duties in the tabernacle?

Having specific duties helped to maintain order and organization in the tabernacle, as seen in Numbers 3:36, and allowed each tribe to contribute to the worship and service of God, as instructed in Exodus 35:30-35 and Exodus 36:1-7.

How does the assignment of duties to the sons of Merari relate to the broader theme of worship in the Bible?

The assignment of duties to the sons of Merari in Numbers 3:36 reflects the biblical theme of worship as a collective effort, where each person has a unique role to play, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and Romans 12:3-8.

What can we learn from the example of the sons of Merari about serving God?

The example of the sons of Merari in Numbers 3:36 teaches us that serving God is not just about grand or visible tasks, but also about faithfully fulfilling the specific duties and responsibilities He has given us, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24 and Matthew 25:14-30.

Reflection Questions

What are the specific tasks or duties that God has assigned to me, and how can I fulfill them faithfully?
How can I work together with others to achieve a common goal of worshiping and serving God, just like the sons of Merari did in Numbers 3:36?
What are some ways that I can use my skills and talents to serve God and others, as seen in the example of the sons of Merari?
How can I maintain a humble and servant-hearted attitude, like the sons of Merari, in my own service to God and others?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:36

And [under] the custody and charge of the sons of Merari [shall be] the boards of the tabernacle,.... Both of the holy and the most holy place, which were the walls of the tabernacle, and which were

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:36

Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:36

21–39. The Levitical families and their duties. Notice that narrative in Numbers 3:21 f., 27 f., 33 f., 39 alternates with commands in Numbers 3:23-26; Numbers 3:29-32; Numbers 3:35-38. It is one of the many indications that the priestly portions of the book were the composite work of more than one writer.

Sermons on Numbers 3:36

	Sermon	Description
	The Pins of the Tabernacle. by Andrew Bonar	Andrew Bonar emphasizes the significance of seemingly insignificant tasks in God's work, using the example of the 'pins' of the tabernacle to illustrate that God notices and values
	Standing Firm in the Lord by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the importance of standing firm in the Lord, using the imagery of the Tabernacle's boards made of acacia wood that remained standing even when stripped
	(Exodus) Exodus 37:1-29 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the structure and symbolism of the tabernacle in the Bible. The tabernacle had three compartments and three entrances: the outer court, the ho
	(Exodus) Exodus 38:9-11 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the tabernacle and its symbolism in relation to the gospel. The outer court, surrounded by a fence, represents the separat
	Through the Bible - Exodus - Part 2 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the tabernacle described in the book of Exodus. He explains that the tabernacle is a picture of the body of Christ, with believers closely hel
	Study Notes - the Tabernacle by Walter Beuttler	Walter Beuttler preaches on the purpose and typology of the tabernacle, highlighting how God used offerings and rituals to mend the broken fellowship with sinful man. The tabernacl