Numbers 4 The Census of the Israelite Tribes

1 The Kohathites
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron:

2 “Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families.

3 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting.

4 “This is the work of the Kohathites in the Tent of Meeting: the care of the most holy things.

5 When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.

6 Then they are to cover this with hides of sea cows, spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place.

7 “Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings; the bread that is continually there is to remain on it.

8 Over these they are to spread a scarlet cloth, cover that with hides of sea cows and put its poles in place.

9 “They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays, and all its jars for the oil used to supply it.

10 Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of hides of sea cows and put it on a carrying frame.

11 “Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with hides of sea cows and put its poles in place.

12 “They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with hides of sea cows and put them on a carrying frame.

13 “They are to remove the ashes from the bronze altar and spread a purple cloth over it.

14 Then they are to place on it all the utensils used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans, meat forks, shovels and sprinkling bowls. Over it they are to spread a covering of hides of sea cows and put its poles in place.

15 “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the Tent of Meeting.

16 “Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”

17 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,

18 “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not cut off from the Levites.

19 So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.

20 But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

21 The Gershonites
The Lord said to Moses,

22 “Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans.

23 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

24 “This is the service of the Gershonite clans as they work and carry burdens:

25 They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, its covering and the outer covering of hides of sea cows, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,

26 the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance, the ropes and all the equipment used in its service. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things.

27 All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons. You shall assign to them as their responsibility all they are to carry.

28 This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.

29 The Merarites
“Count the Merarites by their clans and families.

30 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

31 This is their duty as they perform service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases,

32 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry.

33 This is the service of the Merarite clans as they work at the Tent of Meeting under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.”

34 The Numbering of the Levite Clans
Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites by their clans and families.

35 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting,

36 counted by clans, were 2,750.

37 This was the total of all those in the Kohathite clans who served in the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

38 The Gershonites were counted by their clans and families.

39 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting,

40 counted by their clans and families, were 2,630.

41 This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command.

42 The Merarites were counted by their clans and families.

43 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting,

44 counted by their clans, were 3,200.

45 This was the total of those in the Merarite clans. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

46 So Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans and families.

47 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting

48 numbered 8,580.

49 At the Lord’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry.
Thus they were counted, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Previous Chapter Numbers 3 Next Chapter Numbers 5

Analysis of Numbers Chapter 4

Numbers Chapter 4 delves into the specific duties and responsibilities assigned to the Levite clans during their service for the Tabernacle. This chapter emphasizes the importance of order, structure, and sacred duties as the Israelites prepare for their journey through the wilderness. By outlining the functions and tasks of the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites, this chapter underscores the necessity of reverence, precision, and sanctity in the service of God.

The Duties of the Kohathites

Verses 1-20 deal specifically with the Kohathite clan’s responsibilities. The Kohathites, one of Levi’s descendants through Kohath, were assigned the critical task of transporting the most sacred items within the Tabernacle. These items included the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the menorah, the altars, and various utensils used in rituals.

In verse 2, God instructs Moses and Aaron to take a census of the Kohathites, from thirty to fifty years old, who are eligible for service in the Tent of Meeting. This age range signifies the peak of physical strength and maturity, reflecting the significant and demanding nature of their work.

“Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families.” (Numbers 4:2)

One of the key highlights in verses 4-6 is the detailed procedure for handling the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron and his sons are instructed to cover the Ark with the veil, followed by a covering of goatskins and a final drape of blue cloth. The careful covering of the Ark signifies its holiness and the need for utmost reverence in handling sacred objects. The blue cloth symbolizes divinity and the heavenly nature of God’s commandments, thus keeping the Kohathites from directly seeing or touching the sacred items to avoid instant death, as emphasized in verse 15.

“After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die.” (Numbers 4:15)

Verses 16-20 further assign Eleazar, son of Aaron, as the chief overseer of the Kohathites’ duties. Eleazar’s supervisory role reinforces the need for hierarchical oversight to ensure compliance and the sanctity of processes involving the divine objects. The directive to protect the Kohathites from the extreme consequences of mishandling sacred items reflects God’s mercy and the function of priestly intermediation.

The Duties of the Gershonites

Verses 21-28 address the responsibilities of the Gershonite clan. The Gershonites were tasked with carrying the curtains of the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting’s coverings, the curtain at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and the curtains of the courtyard along with their ropes and related articles.

“They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, that is, the tent of meeting, its covering and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard, the ropes and all the equipment used in its service.” (Numbers 4:25-26)

The specificity in their assigned tasks indicates the necessity of meticulousness and dedication to the Lord’s service. Ithamar, another son of Aaron, is charged with the supervision of the Gershonites, affirming a structured leadership system within the Levitical service. The duties assigned to the Gershonites involve significant manual labor and organizational skills, demonstrating that service to God encompasses every practical aspect of maintaining and transporting the holy site.

The Duties of the Merarites

Verses 29-33 detail the work of the Merarite clan. Their responsibilities included the transportation of the framework of the Tabernacle: the boards, bars, pillars, bases, and other structural components essential for establishing the Tabernacle’s physical integrity.

“As part of all their service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, all their equipment and everything related to their use.” (Numbers 4:31-32)

The weight and complexity of the items the Merarites managed underscore the physical endurance and technical skill required for erecting and dismantling the sacred structure. Like the Gershonites, the Merarites were also under the supervisory care of Ithamar, ensuring continuity and coherence in oversight.

The Census and Consecration of the Levites

Verses 34-49 culminate with the census results and further organizational instructions. The census counted Levites eligible for service:

Kohathites: 2,750 (verses 34-37)
Gershonites: 2,630 (verses 38-41)
Merarites: 3,200 (verses 42-45)

The total number of Levites counted for service was 8,580, reiterating a comprehensive and detailed approach to ensuring adequate staffing for the rigorous tasks associated with the Tabernacle’s service. Each clan’s duties are explicitly detailed and assigned according to divine instruction, reflecting God’s organized blueprint for His chosen people and their worship practices.

The organization and structure observed in Numbers Chapter 4 serve as a potent metaphor for the broader theme of divinely ordained order within the community. The strict adherence to the roles played by the various divisions within the Levitical tribe indicates the necessity of cooperation, coordination, and communal responsibility in the service of the divine. It is also a testament to the sanctity and gravity that must accompany service in the presence of God, underscoring that every task, no matter how seemingly mundane, holds sacred significance when performed in obedience to divine command.

Conclusion

Numbers Chapter 4 offers a deep and rich portrayal of the Levites’ service in the Tabernacle, emphasizing dedicated obedience to divine directives. Through a careful enumeration of their duties, the chapter provides profound lessons on reverence, order, and devotion in service to God. The hierarchical structure and attention to detail serve as a timeless reminder of the sanctity of worship and the need for meticulousness in spiritual duties. By adhering to the divinely established organization and responsibilities, the Levites exemplified a model of faithful service, integrity, and sanctified work that transcends generations, offering perennial lessons for both ancient and modern audiences.

Understanding the Key Messages in Numbers 4: Insights and Explanation

In this chapter, Moses and Aaron conduct a census of the Israelite tribes according to the Lord's command. The heads of each tribe are appointed to assist them in this task. The total number of men above the age of twenty who are eligible for military service is recorded, along with the specific numbers for each tribe. This census highlights God's fulfillment of His promise to multiply the descendants of Abraham.

Notes

The census was conducted to prepare the Israelites for their journey to the Promised Land. It served as a reminder of God's faithfulness and demonstrated the organization of the tribes. The inclusion of specific numbers for each tribe underlines the accuracy and precision of God's command.