Numbers 4

3 thirty years old. This is reconciled with viii. 24 by supposing that for the first five years of their service the Levites were learning their duties, and occupied only in inferior departments. Under the new arrangements which David afterwards made, their service began at the age of twenty. See 1 Chron. xxiii. 24-32.—fifty years. After which, though in attendance, they were relieved from the heavier duties.—the host. Or “warfare,” i.e., service, as vers. 35, 39, 43.

7 covers. Rather, “bowls.” See Exod. xxv. 29.

10 a (the) bar. Probably a sort of frame (R.V.), or “hier,” carried between two persons. The same word, in xiii. 23, is rendered “staff.”

15 shall come. The prohibition against the Levites entering the most holy place only applied while the cloud rested upon it. The sacred utensils were to be covered by the priests, the sons of Aaron, before they were taken by the Kohathites: see vers. 17-20. These coverings were designed to insure security and respect, signifying the reverence due to sacred things.—the burden. That is, “that which shall be borne” by them, viz., on their shoulders, and not on the waggons, see vii. 9.

18. Cut ye not off. That is, “Do not occasion the cutting off”; be careful lest your negligence tempt their curiosity, and lead them to destruction.

20 covered. The word here rendered “covered” means “swallowed.”

24 and for burdens. i.e., to attend to the curtains, etc., of the tabernacle while it is standing, and to carry them when it is removed.

25 that is made for them. Rather, “that is to be done with them” (R.V.).

33 the service, etc. While the Israelites were journeying the Kohathites were to carry the sacred things of the tabernacle—including the brazen altar, the ark, the vessels of the sanctuary, etc. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery of the tabernacle—the curtains, hangings, etc. And the duty of the Merarites was to convey the more bulky and heavy materials—the boards, bars, pillars, etc., which were delivered to them by name. Each class had to carry upon their journey the things which they had under their care in their ordinary service (ver. 31). The large number of persons employed would enable the tabernacle to be put up and taken down in a very short time.