Chapter 4

1 The age and time of the Levites’ service. 4 The carriage of the Kohathites, when the priests have taken down the tabernacle. 16 The charge of Eleazar. 17 The office of the priests. 21 The carriage of the Gershonites. 29 The carriage of the Merarites. 34 The number of the Kohathites, 38 of the Gershonites, 42 and of the Merarites.

2. Sons of Kohath. Kohath was the second son of Levi. His descendants are listedsecond in ch. 3:19, 27, after the Gershonites. As the Levites were separated from Israel for sacred service, so the Kohathites are now separated from the rest of the Levites for more sacred duties.

3. Thirty years old. These men would be in the prime of their physical life, and well fitted for the work of carrying the tabernacle and its equipment. In ch. 8:23–26 the age is given as between 25 and 50 years. Later writers record a further adjustment, attributed to David, beginning the service at 20 years of age (1 Chron. 23:24, 27; 2 Chron. 31:17; Ezra 3:8). An Apocryphal writer also mentions this (1 Esdras 5:58). The first injunction, giving the beginning age as 30 years, may have been a temporary measure. Thirty years marked the age at which a Jew was considered mature and ready to assume all the responsibilities of his rights and privileges (cf. Luke 3:23). Beyond the age of 50 a Levite was not bound to do service, but merely to assist in the tabernacle according to his ability (Num. 8:25, 26).

The host. From a Hebrew word used for an army in ordered array, and so used again and again in the Scriptures. It may also be translated “warfare,” referring to the fighting service in which the recruits and their officers had to engage. In this verse it has reference to the sacred duties of a soldier of God. This is the Christian of today understands as the service of a soldier of the cross.

4. Most holy things. That is, the ark, the table of shewbread, the candlestick, altars, the veils, and the various sanctuary implements. The Hebrew expression is the one given for the most holy place in Ex. 26:33.

5. Covering vail. See Ex. 35:12; 39:34; Luke 23:45. The reference here is to the veil that divided the holy from the most holy place (Ex. 26:31–33). The first veil, for the door of the tabernacle, was committed to the care of the Gershonites (Num. 4:25).

6. Of blue. The ark was the only article of holy furniture that was covered with a blue (or violet) cloth when being carried from place to place, to mark it distinctly.

Staves. The poles by which the ark was carried were apparently never taken out of the rings (Ex. 25:14, 15). Presumably, Aaron and his sons entered the most holy place in order to cover it.

7. The table of shewbread. Literally, “the table of the faces,” meaning the “table of the Presence,” referring to the bread that was placed before the Lord.

Spoons, and the bowls. See Ex. 25:29.

Continual bread. This expression does not occur again in the Bible. The explanation is found in Ex. 25:30, in harmony with the literal words here: “the bread of continuity.” Compare with the NT terms, meaning “the bread of the setting out” (Matt. 12:4; Mark 2:26; Luke 6:4), and “the placing forth of the loaves” (Heb. 9:2).

8. Cloth of scarlet. This is an additional covering, beyond what was used for other articles.

9. Candlestick of the light. This full name occurs again in Ex. 35:14. For the candlestick, or lampstand, see on Ex. 25:31.

His tongs. See on Ex. 25:38.

Snuffdishes. The same word is translated “censers” (v. 14 and ch. 16:6), and “firepans” (Ex. 27:3; 2 Kings 25:15; Jer. 52:19). The reference may be to shallow metal pans or saucers.

10. Bar. Probably referring to staves, or poles, that were put through the rings for carrying (Ex. 30:4, 5). The same word is translated “staff” in Num. 13:23, and “yoke” in Nahum 1:13.

11. Golden altar. The clear altar of incense, overlaid with gold (Ex. 30:3).

12. Instruments of ministry. The instruments, knives, vessels, pans, etc., that were used within the tabernacle. Some commentators refer this expression to the “cloths of service” mentioned in Ex. 31:10.

13. The altar. That is, the bronze altar of burnt offerings (Ex. 27:1–3).

A purple cloth. The purple or deep red cloth may have been used as a distinctive mark, because this was the altar of burnt offerings that stood in the courtyard, and not in the holy place.

This verse speaks of bearing away the “ashes.” Many commentators say nothing about this for the reason that the meaning of the word thus translated is uncertain. The root verb is used but 11 times in the OT and is generally rendered “maketh …fat” (Prov. 15:30) or “shall be made fat” (Prov. 11:25; 13:4; 28:25; Isa. 34:7). The noun, found seven times, is without exception translated “fatness.” The same root, used eight times and listed as a separate noun, is translated “ashes.” The adjective, three times in the OT, is rendered “fat.” All of this suggests that the reference may be to the burned fat or grease that accumulated from the burnt offerings.

14. Basons. These were for the blood that was to be sprinkled upon the altar. Amos 6:6 has the same word for wine containers. In that case it may suggest either the red color of the wine or the inebriety of the drinkers.

15. After that. No Levite was allowed to touch the holy things until they had been covered and packed by Aaron and his priests; the Kohathites would then simply lift up the bundles and transport them (vs. 12–14).

To bear it. The Levites were the regular porters (2 Sam. 15:24). Upon two unusual occasions other arrangements were made (1 Sam. 6:8; 2 Sam. 6:3).

Touch any holy thing. The word translated “holy thing” is probably a collective term referring to all the sacred objects.

16. Eleazar. Apparently Eleazar was held personally responsible for the transport of the sacred articles and for their general care.

Oil. See on Ex. 27:20.

Sweet incense. See on Ex. 30:34.

Daily meat offering. This cereal, or meal, offering may be identical with the “meat offering” offered twice daily along with the burnt offering (Ex. 29:38–41; Neh. 10:33), or, more likely, the meal offering for the anointed priests (Lev. 6:20–23).

17. And unto Aaron. Aaron was instructed by Jehovah, inasmuch as it was the duty of the priests to oversee the Kohathites.

18. Cut ye not off. Do not cause the Kohathites to be slain by neglecting your duty of supervision. If the priests were careless, the Kohathites would likely follow their example, and then come under condemnation. Aaron and the Kohathites were of the same tribe. Yet the sacred things could not be touched, and some of them not even looked upon, by the Kohathites. Therefore in moral responsibility the anointed priests were enjoined to be an example, for they were held accountable for their humbler brethren. Similarly, the workers in the Christian church must always be examples of Christlikeness, of victorious living, of full devotion to the truth and all it involves.

19. That they may live. The reward for the faithful, as promised today, is immortality, which has its source in Jesus Christ (Matt. 19:17, 29; John 1:4; 6:47; Rev. 21:27).

Appoint them. In God’s work there must be submission to His will. We are not to refuse to accept certain tasks merely because of inclination otherwise.

21. Moses. Aaron cooperated in carrying out the requirements (vs. 1, 19, 34).

22. The sons of Gershon. There were but two (ch. 3:21). The work of carrying all the hangings and coverings was the task of the Gershonites (vs. 24–28), who used ox wagons for this purpose (ch. 7:7).

25. Curtains. That is, to the ten curtains that were the inner covering of the tabernacle (Ex. 26:1, 2).

Tabernacle. The boards of the tabernacle were in charge of the Merarites (v. 31), but the 11 curtains of goats’ hair which covered them are here referred to (see Ex. 26:7, 8).

Badgers’ skins. The outermost covering of all (Ex. 26:14; see on Ex. 25:5).

Hanging for the door. See on Ex. 26:36.

26. Hangings of the court. See on Ex. 27:9.

For the door. See on Ex. 27:16.

Instruments. See on Ex. 27:19.

27. Appointment of the Aaron. Literally, “by the mouth of Aaron,” that is, at his command. The priests were to give the necessary orders to the Gershonites (ch. 3:6, 7).

28. Ithamar. Ithamar was the head overseer of both the Gershonites and the Merarites (v. 33). His was the personal responsibility.

29. Sons of Merari. There were but two families of these (ch. 3:33).

30. Into the service. The same word is translated “host” in v. 3.

31. Charge. The duty of the Merarites was the transport of the actual framework of the tabernacle itself. They too used wagonsons (ch. 7:8). Their burdens would be much heavier than those the Kohathites carried, for they were all the solid parts of the structures, with their accessories.

Boards. See on Ex. 26:15.

Bars. See on Ex. 26:26.

Pillars. See on Ex. 26:32.

Sockets. This is, for the boards of the tabernacle and also for the pillars. See on Ex. 26:19.

32. Pillars of the court. For the pillars and sockets see Ex. 27:10–12.

Pins. See Ex. 27:19; 38:20.

Cords. See on Ex. 35:18.

By name. That is, individual allotment of a particular thing to a particular person.

34. The chief of the congregation. Literally, “the princes of the congregation” (cf. Num. 16:2; 31:13; Ex. 16:22; Joshua 9:15).

Numbered. Not all males descended from Kohath (see ch. 3:28), but only those from 30 to 50 (ch. 4:35).

40. Those that were numbered. The number given in this verse is slightly more than a third part of their males, or all who were fit for service (see ch. 3:22).

47. Service of the ministry. Held by some to be the singing of the Levite choir accompanied by musical instruments, during the sacrificial services. It is to be noted that the age is 30 years and up. This is the age at which Jesus began His ministry (Luke 3:23).

The precise commands detailing duties to particular tribes, clans, and individuals, with age groups specified, have a lesson for the church today. The apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 12 speaks of “spiritual gifts” (v. 1), “diversities of gifts” (v. 4), and “differences of administrations” (v. 5). There are also “diversities of operations” (v. 6); but through all and in all there is “the same God,” “the same Lord,” “the same Spirit.” Also “the body is one,” though of “many members” (v. 12); and all must work harmoniously, that there be no tearing to pieces (v. 25). The organized unity of the desert church has its counterpart in the church with its members baptized into vital connection with the Holy Spirit (v. 13). It is the entrance of the Holy Spirit that conforms all into one body,even the body of Jesus Christ.

Ellen G. White comments

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