Numbers 4:24 — Word Study
WLCזֹ֣את עֲבֹדַ֔ת מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י לַעֲבֹ֖ד וּלְמַשָּֽׂא׃
BSAThiszôʼth [specific, particular] is the serviceʻăbôdâh [work, ministry] of the GershoniteGêrᵉshunnîy [descendant of Gershon, a Levite] clansmishpâchâh [families, tribes] regarding workʻâbad [concerning, related to, labor, task] and transportmassâʼ [burdens, carrying loads, to bear]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| זֹ֣את | this | Particle |
| עֲבֹדַ֔ת | [is] [the] service of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת | [the] clans of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י | the Gershonite[s] | Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute |
| לַעֲבֹ֖ד | to serve | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| וּלְמַשָּֽׂא׃ | and for carrying | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport: |
| KJV | This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens: |
| ASV | This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens: |
| YLT | 'This [is] the service of the families of the Gershonite, to serve — and for burden, |
| WEB | “This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens: |
| BBE | This is to be the work of the Gershonites, the things they are to do and take up. |
Where they part company is with עֲבֹדַ֔ת — see How Translations Differ.
The structure of the sentence is straightforward, with a main clause followed by a subject and a prepositional phrase that clarifies the focus of the service.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Numbers 4:24
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Duties of the Gershonitesgenerated
Numbers 4:24 describes the specific service of the Gershonite clans, detailing their responsibilities in the transport and care of the Tabernacle's components. This instruction is part of a broader set of guidelines for the Levites, who were tasked with various duties related to the worship and maintenance of the sanctuary, as seen in Numbers 4:15-19.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 4:15–19 | When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֲבֹדַ֔ת, 'a.vo.Datgenerated
The word עֲבֹדַ֔ת (abodah) is a feminine singular noun derived from the root עָבַד (to serve). It encompasses a range of meanings related to service, including labor for God or others. The parsing indicates it functions as a construct noun, linking it to the clans mentioned.
This term is often used in the context of priestly duties or other forms of ministry, indicating the serious nature of the responsibilities assigned to the Gershonites.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb עֲבֹ֖ד governs the structure of the verse, indicating the action of serving. The subject is implied as the Gershonite clans, with a noun phrase detailing their specific duties regarding work and transport.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the service itself, highlighting its importance in the context of the Tabernacle's operations.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עֲבֹדַ֔ת as λειτουργεῖν, meaning 'to serve' in a functional or liturgical sense. This choice aligns with the original Hebrew meaning while also reflecting the Greek understanding of service in a religious context.
This translation indicates a continuity of thought regarding the sacred duties of the Levites, emphasizing their role in the worship of God.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 4:24 explains the specific duties of the Gershonite clans, who are responsible for the work and transport related to the Tabernacle. This includes carrying various components, emphasizing the importance of their role in the worship practices of Israel.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
In this context, 'service' refers to the various duties and responsibilities of the Gershonite clans in relation to the Tabernacle, including their role in transporting its components.
The Gershonites are mentioned because they were one of the Levitical clans assigned specific tasks related to the care and transport of the Tabernacle, highlighting the organized structure of the Israelite worship system.
This verse illustrates that every clan had designated roles, emphasizing that service is vital for the functioning of the community and its worship practices.
This verse connects to the theme of organization and order in the Israelite camp, as the book of Numbers outlines the roles and responsibilities of different tribes and clans.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways I can serve in my community, similar to the Gershonites' service in the Tabernacle?
- How can understanding the roles of the Levites enhance my appreciation for worship?
- In what areas of my life do I feel called to take on responsibilities, and how can I fulfill them?
- How does the concept of service in this verse apply to my relationship with God and others?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 4:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis [is] the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens.
Read John Gill on Numbers 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThis is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens: This is the service ... They were appointed to carry "the curtains of the tabernacle" - i:e., the goats' hair
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21–28. The Gershonites and their duties. They carry (in wagons Numbers 7:7) all the hangings and coverings of which the Dwelling and the court are composed.
Read Cambridge on Numbers 4 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleSERVICE OF THE SONS OF GERSHON, Numbers 4:21-28.The special service assigned to this great family of Levites was the transportation of the cloth and skin coverings of the tabernacle, with its
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 4 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport:
“This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens:
This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport:
This is the service of the families of Gershonites, as they serve and carry it.
Tyndale line
This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens:
This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens:
This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
This shall be the seruice of the families of the Gershonites, to serue and to beare.
Strictly literal
This shall be the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving, and in carrying:
'This [is] the service of the families of the Gershonite, to serve — and for burden,
This [is] the service of the families of the Gershonite, to serve and for burden:
This shall be the service of the families of the Gershunites, to serve, and to carry:
This is the work of the clans of the Gershonites, when they serve and what they carry.
From the Latin
This is the office of the family of the Gersonites:
Simplified
This is how the families of Gershon will serve in terms of working and carrying:
This is to be the work of the Gershonites, the things they are to do and take up.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with four of the six words matching. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly by using the term גרשׁוני (Gershonite), but the overall meaning remains consistent across these texts.
זֹ֣את עֲבֹדַ֔ת מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י לַעֲבֹ֖ד וּלְמַשָּֽׂא׃
4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
זאת עבדת משׁפחת הגרשׁוני לעבד ולמשׂא
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: גרשׁוני (Gershonite)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 4:24
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
זֹאת (zot) is a demonstrative pronoun and adverb meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone or be used in apposition to a noun, often serving as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns to add emphasis. In poetry, it may function as a relative pronoun, though this is rare.
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
standing alone
In appos. to subst.
More oft. as pred.
It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
With prefixes (in special senses)
base
H2063 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone
. In appos. to subst.
. More oft. as pred.
. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
. With prefixes (in special senses)
2063 zo'th zothe'
irregular feminine of 2089; this (often used adverb):--
hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she,
so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing),
thus.
see HEBREW for 02089
זֹאת (zot) — this.
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such
1a) (alone)
1a1) this one
1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another
1b) (appos to subst)
1b1) this
1c) (as predicate)
1c1) this, such
1d) (enclitically)
1d1) then
1d2) who, whom
1d3) how now, what now
1d4) what now
1d5) wherefore now
1d6) behold here
1d7) just now
1d8) now, now already
1e) (poetry)
1e1) wherein, which, those who
1f) (with prefixes)
1f1) in this (place) here, then
1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
1f3) thus and thus
1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
1f6) on this account
1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Pron — ParticleHTm
עֲבֹדָה (abodah) refers to various forms of labor or service, including the work of a servant or slave, the service of captives or subjects, and the service of God. It is built from the root word for work and encompasses a range of meanings related to labor and ministry.
עֲבֹדָה, and (Chr) עֲבוֹדָה 146 n.f. labour, servicelabour, work
labour of servant or slave
labour, service of captives or subjects
service of God
base
H5656 עֲבֹדָה, and עֲבוֹדָה labour . labour, work
. labour of servant or slave
. labour, service of captives or subjects
. service of God
5656 `abodah ab-o-daw'
or mabowdah {ab-o-daw'}; from 5647; work of any kind:--act,
bondage, + bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try),
office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, X wrought.
see HEBREW for 05647
עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service.
: 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)
עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service: ministry.
: ministry[for_God]/tabernacle]
1) labour, service
1a) labour, work
1b) labour (of servant or slave)
1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)
1d) service (of God)
עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service: work.
: work/labour
1) labour, service
1a) labour, work
1b) labour (of servant or slave)
1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)
1d) service (of God)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah) refers to a clan or family, encompassing a circle of relatives and extending to tribes or peoples. It can also denote a class of persons, species of animals, or kinds of things. The entries highlight its various uses, including guilds and aristocrats, but do not present any significant disagreement.
מִשְׁפָּחָה 303 n.f. clan
clan
= guild
= species, kind
pl. = aristocrats
base
H4940 מִשְׁפָּחָה clan . clan
. = guild
. = species, kind
. pl. = aristocrats
4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw'
from 8192 (compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives;
figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or
sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family,
kind(-red).
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 08198
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mish.pa.chah) — family.
1) clan, family
1a) clan
1a1) family
1a2) tribe
1a3) people, nation
1b) guild
1c) species, kind
1d) aristocrats
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (Gershunniy) refers to a Gershonite, a descendant of Gershon, the firstborn son of Levi. This term is used to describe members of the Levitical tribe, specifically those related to Gershon, and is linked to the family structure in the Old Testament, particularly in Genesis 46:11.
גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי adj.gent. c. art. as subst. collect.
base
H1649 גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי
1649 Gershunniy gay-resh-oon-nee'
patronymically from 1648; a Gereshonite or descendant of
Gereshon:--Gershonite, sons of Gershon.
see HEBREW for 01648
גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (ge.re.shun.ni) — Gershonite.
Someone descended from Gershon who was 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: Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115);
father of: Libni (H3845) and Shimei (H8096); also called Gershom at 1Ch.6.16,17,20,43,62,71; 15.7;
Group of ge.re.shon (גֵּרְשׁוֹן "Gershon" H1648)
§ Gershonite , of Geshur
a descendant of Gershon, firstborn son of Levi
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ngmsa
עָבַד (abad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to work or serve, encompassing a range of activities from laboring for others to serving God, including Levitical service. It can also refer to the cultivation of land or the act of enslaving. The word appears in various forms, indicating different nuances of service and labor.
עָבַד 290 vb. work, serve
Qal
labour, work, do work
work for another, serve him by labour
serve as subjects
serve God
serve י׳ with Levitical service
Niph.
be tilled, of land
dub. cultivated field
Pu. worked
Hiph.
compel to labour as slaves
make to serve as subjects
cause to serve God
Hoph. be led or enticed to serve
base
H5647 עָבַד work, serve .. labour, work, do work
. work for another, serve him by labour
. serve as subjects
. serve God
. serve י׳ with Levitical service
. . be tilled, of land
. dub. cultivated field
. worked
. . compel to labour as slaves
. make to serve as subjects
. cause to serve God
. be led or enticed to serve
5647 `abad aw-bad'
a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to
serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.:--X be, keep in
bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear,
execute, + husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass,
(cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become)
servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from
margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
עָבַד (a.vad) — to serve.
: serve[someone]
1) to work, serve
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to labour, work, do work
1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour
1a3) to serve as subjects
1a4) to serve (God)
1a5) to serve (with Levitical service)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land)
1b2) to make oneself a servant
1c) (Pual) to be worked
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve
1d2) to cause to serve as subjects
1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
עָבַד (a.vad) — to serve: minister.
: minister/serve[God/tabernacle/temple]/worship
1) to work, serve
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to labour, work, do work
1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour
1a3) to serve as subjects
1a4) to serve (God)
1a5) to serve (with Levitical service)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land)
1b2) to make oneself a servant
1c) (Pual) to be worked
1d) (Hiphil)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
מַשָּׂא (massa') refers to a load or burden, encompassing meanings like tribute and lifting. It can also signify an utterance or oracle, often linked to prophecy or song. The word is built from the root meaning to carry or lift, and it appears in contexts related to both physical and figurative burdens.
מַשָּׂא n.m. load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute
base
מַשָּׂא n.m. utterance, oracle
base
H4853a מַשָּׂא load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute H4853b מַשָּׂא utterance, oracle
4853 massa' mas-saw'
from 5375; a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly)
porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom,
especially singing; mental, desire:--burden, carry away,
prophecy, X they set, song, tribute.
see HEBREW for 05375
מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — burden.
1) load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting
1a) load, burden
1b) lifting, uplifting, that to which the soul lifts itself up
1c) bearing, carrying
1d) tribute, that which is carried or brought or borne
מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — oracle.
utterance, oracle, burden
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/R/Ncmsa