Numbers 1 50

Numbers 1:50 kjv

But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

Numbers 1:50 nkjv

but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, over all its furnishings, and over all things that belong to it; they shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they shall attend to it and camp around the tabernacle.

Numbers 1:50 niv

Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle of the covenant law?over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it.

Numbers 1:50 esv

But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle.

Numbers 1:50 nlt

Put the Levites in charge of the Tabernacle of the Covenant, along with all its furnishings and equipment. They must carry the Tabernacle and all its furnishings as you travel, and they must take care of it and camp around it.

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 50 Meaning

Numbers 1:50 establishes the distinct and vital role of the Levites in ancient Israel's wilderness journey. Unlike the other tribes, who were counted for military service, the Levites were appointed solely to the sacred duty of caring for the Tabernacle of the Testimony. Their responsibilities were comprehensive: they were to oversee, transport, minister to, and encamp around this central dwelling place of God. This divine appointment highlighted their consecrated status and the supreme importance of maintaining the holiness and order surrounding God's presence among His people.

Numbers 1 50 Context

Numbers chapter 1 details the first census taken after Israel's departure from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Sinai. The primary purpose of this census was to enumerate all men aged twenty years and upward, "who are able to go to war in Israel," to organize the tribes for their journey and eventual conquest of Canaan. However, Numbers 1:49 immediately distinguishes the tribe of Levi, stating they are not to be counted among the other Israelites for military purposes. Verse 50 then elaborates on why they are excluded: they have a distinct, sacred function relating to the Tabernacle. This sets the Levites apart, emphasizing their consecrated role directly under God's command. The verses that follow (1:51-53) reinforce this by detailing their specific duties concerning the Tabernacle's movement and their strategic encampment around it, providing a buffer zone to protect the rest of the Israelites from encroaching on God's holiness and incurring divine wrath. This unique commission highlights God's orderly nature and the absolute necessity of approaching His holy presence in a prescribed manner.

Numbers 1 50 Word analysis

• but you shall appoint: The verb "shall appoint" (Hebrew: tiphqod) implies a formal divine command and an assigning of specific responsibilities. It is a divine ordination, not a human choice. This emphasizes the direct instruction from God to Moses regarding the Levites' role.
• the Levites: (Hebrew: ha'Leviim) The specific tribe, sons of Levi. Their name may derive from "attached" or "joined," possibly referencing their unique attachment to the service of God and His dwelling (cf. Num 18:2, 4). They are divinely chosen to serve God, acting as mediators and guardians of the sacred.
• over the tabernacle: (Hebrew: al ha'mishkan) The "dwelling place" or "tent of meeting" (from shakan, to dwell). This refers to the portable sanctuary built according to God's precise instructions (Exod 25-40). It was the tangible representation of God's presence among Israel. The Levites' authority and responsibility extended over this central divine abode.
• of the testimony: (Hebrew: ha'edut) Refers specifically to the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the "testimony"—the two tablets of the covenant (Exod 25:16, 21). This specifies the Tabernacle's most sacred component, the Ark, emphasizing the covenantal nature of God's presence.
• and over all its furnishings: (Hebrew: v'al kol-kelaav) This encompasses all the utensils, vessels, and equipment associated with the Tabernacle: the altar of burnt offering, the laver, the menorah, the table of showbread, the altar of incense, etc. (Exod 25-27, 30). This shows the comprehensiveness of their care and responsibility, ensuring proper use and maintenance.
• and over all that belongs to it: This is a broad category ensuring nothing related to the Tabernacle's service or structure is omitted from Levitical oversight. It implies a total and undivided responsibility for the entire sacred complex.
• they shall carry the tabernacle: (Hebrew: heimah yis'u et-ha'mishkan) The primary mobile function of the Levites in the wilderness. "Carry" (from nasa) denotes bearing a burden, highlighting the physical labor involved. This responsibility was detailed further in Numbers chapter 4, assigning specific components to specific Levitical clans (Kohath, Gershon, Merari).
• and all its furnishings: Emphasizing that every part, large or small, sacred or mundane, had to be carefully dismantled, transported, and reassembled under Levitical care.
• and they shall minister to it: (Hebrew: v'yisharetuhu) "Minister" (from sharat) signifies devoted service, attendance, and diligent performance of duties required for the Tabernacle's proper functioning and care. This includes routine maintenance, setup, and teardown. It signifies their dedicated and active role in its operation.
• and encamp around it: (Hebrew: v'yachanu alav) Their designated position in the Israelite camp. The Levites formed a protective circle immediately surrounding the Tabernacle (Num 2:17, 3:23, 29, 35). This literal positioning served to guard the holiness of the Tabernacle and prevent accidental defilement or unauthorized access by common Israelites, thereby shielding the camp from God's wrath due to profanation (Num 1:53).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony...": This phrase initiates a direct command, clearly setting apart the Levites' unique purpose. It underlines the divine origin of their ministry, preventing any tribal claim to their role, as well as indicating their authority over the sanctuary, rather than simply in it. The inclusion of "the testimony" highlights that their focus is on the covenant and God's law represented within the Ark.
• "...and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it...": This exhaustive list emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the Levites' responsibility. No detail was to be overlooked, indicating God's meticulous concern for holiness in all aspects of His worship. This guarded against carelessness or neglect regarding sacred items.
• "...they shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings...": This highlights the immediate, physical and portable nature of the wilderness sanctuary and the Levites' hands-on, labor-intensive duty. It speaks to the practical, physical burden entrusted to them and their pivotal role in the ongoing journey of Israel.
• "...and they shall minister to it, and encamp around it.": This final phrase summarizes their dual operational and protective roles. "Minister" speaks of daily ritualistic and practical care, while "encamp around" signifies their physical separation and spiritual guardian function. This protective role was vital for maintaining the camp's purity and God's favor by preventing unauthorized contact with the holy objects.

Numbers 1 50 Bonus section

The distinct role of the Levites illustrates a powerful principle of God's design:

• Holiness requires Boundaries: God, being utterly holy, could not dwell among an unholy people without protective measures. The Levites, through their exclusive access and prescribed duties, formed a living boundary to protect both God's sanctuary from common touch and the people from God's wrath (Num 1:53). This underlines the seriousness of approaching a holy God.
• Specialized Calling and Corporate Responsibility: Not everyone is called to the same tasks, but each task is vital to the whole. The Levites were not "better" than the other tribes but were called differently. Their fidelity to their role contributed directly to the well-being and spiritual integrity of the entire nation.
• A Burden and A Privilege: While carrying the Tabernacle was a heavy physical burden (Num 4), ministering to God's presence was an unparalleled privilege. This tension reflects the nature of devoted service: it demands sacrifice but offers intimacy with the divine.

Numbers 1 50 Commentary

Numbers 1:50 is foundational to understanding the Levites' singular and sacred purpose in ancient Israel. While other tribes were marshaled for war, the Levites were separated for service to God's presence, underscoring the priority of holiness and worship over military strength. Their designation as guardians of the Tabernacle of the Testimony was a divine safeguard, ensuring the sanctity of God's dwelling place. Their tasks of appointing, carrying, ministering, and encircling the Tabernacle were not mere logistical duties but holy offices that served as a buffer between God's perfect holiness and Israel's human fallibility. This provision by God prevented any person from rashly approaching the Holy Presence and incurring divine wrath. In essence, the Levites were living lessons of separation unto God, discipline in worship, and the need for intermediaries to handle holy things, foreshadowing the ultimate mediation of Christ.