Bible Chapter Summary
Numbers 4 Summary
Levitical Clans Assigned Tabernacle Duties
God commands Moses and Aaron to number the men of the three Levitical clans—Kohath, Gershon, and Merari—between the ages of thirty and fifty who are fit for active service in the tabernacle. Detailed instructions are given for each clan's responsibilities: the Kohathites are to transport the most holy things (ark, table, lampstand, altars), but only after Aaron and his sons have carefully covered each sacred object, since touching or viewing the uncovered holy things would bring death; the Gershonites are assigned the curtains, coverings, and hangings of the tabernacle and court; and the Merarites are responsible for the structural components such as the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets. The census is then carried out, yielding counts of 2,750 Kohathites, 2,630 Gershonites, and 3,200 Merarites, for a combined total of 8,580 men—all numbered according to the LORD's commandment.
Key themes
Key verses
Numbers 4:15
“And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.”
Numbers 4:19
“But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden:”
Numbers 4:28
“This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”
Numbers 4:48
“Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.”
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