Numbers 4

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 4 of 36

1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

2 Lift the heads of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' houses,

3 from a son of thirty years and upward, even until fifty years old, all that enter upon the service, to do work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

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Chapter Summary

God gives instructions for the duties of the Levite families - Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites - in handling the tabernacle. Age requirements and specific responsibilities are outlined. A census of the Levites is taken.

Key Hebrew Words

מִזְבַּ֣ח altar H4196 · TWOT 525b
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים fifty H2572 · TWOT 686c
בֶֽגֶד treachery H899 · TWOT 198a
שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים thirty H7970 · TWOT 2403d
קֹ֖דֶשׁ apartness H6944 · TWOT 1990a

People & Context

Kohathite Duties

Kohathite men aged thirty to fifty are assigned to carry the most holy things. Aaron and his sons must first cover these items so the Kohathites do no…

Gershonite Duties

Gershonite men aged thirty to fifty are assigned to bear burdens. They carry the curtains, coverings, and screens of the tabernacle under Ithamar's di…

Merarite Duties

Merarite men aged thirty to fifty are tasked with the heavy structural elements. They carry the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets of the tabernacle.

Timeline

Kohathite Duties

Kohathite men aged thirty to fifty are assigned to carry the most holy things. Aaron and his sons must first cover these items so the Kohathites do not touch or look at them and die.

Numbers 4:1-20
Gershonite Duties

Gershonite men aged thirty to fifty are assigned to bear burdens. They carry the curtains, coverings, and screens of the tabernacle under Ithamar's direction.

Numbers 4:21-28
Merarite Duties

Merarite men aged thirty to fifty are tasked with the heavy structural elements. They carry the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets of the tabernacle.

Numbers 4:29-33

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