Numbers 3:25 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

Numbers 3:25 kjv

And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,

Numbers 3:25 nkjv

The duties of the children of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting included the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting,

Numbers 3:25 niv

At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, the curtain at the entrance to the tent of meeting,

Numbers 3:25 esv

And the guard duty of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting,

Numbers 3:25 nlt

These two clans were responsible to care for the Tabernacle, including the sacred tent with its layers of coverings, the curtain at its entrance,

Numbers 3 25 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
Num 1:50-51	But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony... and they shall camp around the tabernacle.	Levites' general appointment over Tabernacle.
Num 2:17	Then the tabernacle of meeting shall set out with the camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps...	Levites central to the camp arrangement.
Num 3:21-22	Of Gershon were the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites... their numbering, according to the number of all the males...	Introduces the Gershonite families and their census.
Num 4:24-26	This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and carrying... the coverings of the tabernacle of meeting...	Specifies Gershonites' carrying duties in more detail.
Ex 26:1-14	Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen... also make a covering of rams' skins dyed red...	Details of the curtains and coverings the Gershonites handled.
Ex 36:8-19	All the skilled artisans... made the tabernacle with ten curtains... and they made coverings for the tent...	Accounts for the making of these specific items.
Ex 40:18-19	He reared up the tabernacle... and put the covering of the tent over it...	Placement of the very components Gershonites were to transport.
Ex 25:8	And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.	Purpose of the Tabernacle – God's indwelling.
Lev 26:11-12	I will set My tabernacle among you... and I will walk among you and be your God...	God's promise to dwell with His people.
1 Kgs 8:10-11	When the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand... to minister.	Glory filling a physical dwelling.
Psa 26:8	LORD, I love the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.	Expresses affection for God's dwelling place.
Psa 27:4	One thing I have desired of the LORD... that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life...	Longing for continuous presence in God's dwelling.
Isa 57:15	For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity... I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit.	God dwells in physical sanctuary AND with humble hearts.
Acts 7:48-50	However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says...	Points to God's nature beyond physical structures.
2 Cor 6:16	For you are the temple of the living God... I will dwell in them and walk among them.	New Covenant believers as God's spiritual temple.
Deut 12:32	Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.	Emphasizes precise obedience to God's commands.
1 Cor 14:33	For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.	Principle of order in divine arrangements.
1 Cor 14:40	Let all things be done decently and in order.	Calls for structured and proper conduct.
Heb 8:5	who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle...	Tabernacle as an earthly pattern of heavenly reality.
Heb 9:1-2	Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared...	Describes the earthly sanctuary's detailed structure.
1 Pet 4:10	As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.	Analogous to varied service roles in God's people.
Eph 4:11-12	And He Himself gave some to be apostles... for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry...	Diverse gifts for orderly service in the body of Christ.
Jn 1:14	And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father...	Christ's incarnation as God "tabernacling" among men.
Col 2:17	These are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.	Old Testament laws/structures as foreshadowing Christ.
Heb 9:11-12	But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands...	Christ as the fulfillment of the Tabernacle's purpose.
Rev 21:3	Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people...	Final fulfillment of God's dwelling among His people.

Numbers 3 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

Numbers 3 25 Meaning

Numbers 3:25 outlines the specific sacred responsibilities assigned by God to the Gershonite clan, a subdivision of the Levites, concerning the Tabernacle. Their "charge" or duty involved the handling, transport, and care of the outer, softer components of the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journeys. This included the curtains of the dwelling (the "tabernacle" structure itself), the layers of protective coverings that formed the "tent" of the meeting place, and the intricate curtain ("hanging") that served as the entrance to the sacred precinct. This detailed enumeration underscores the divine order and precise allocation of tasks essential for maintaining the holiness and mobility of God's dwelling place among His people.

Numbers 3 25 Context

Numbers chapter 3 is a detailed census and assignment of duties for the Levite tribe, distinguishing them from the rest of Israel for their unique service to the Lord. It specifically delineates the roles of the three main Levite clans: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, descended from Levi's three sons. Following the general consecration of the Levites as substitutes for Israel's firstborn, verses 21-37 individually address the census and responsibilities of each clan. Verse 25 fits directly within this section, immediately after stating the Gershonites' numerical strength and encampment location, thus preceding the assignment of tasks to Kohathites and Merarites. Historically, this chapter prepared Israel for their structured wilderness journey, ensuring the sacred Tabernacle could be properly disassembled, transported, and reassembled, maintaining divine order and holiness amidst a moving congregation.

Numbers 3 25 Word analysis

And the charge: Hebrew: מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth). This word signifies a "charge," "duty," "custody," "observance," or "responsibility." It implies not merely carrying, but also guarding and caring for the sacred items, underscoring the serious and holy nature of their appointed task. This responsibility was divinely ordained, not chosen by the Gershonites themselves, highlighting God's sovereignty in their service.
of the sons of Gershon: Hebrew: בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן (b'nei Gershon). Gershon was the firstborn son of Levi (Ex 6:16). Their clan received distinct duties as part of the tribe of Levi, specifically chosen for priestly service after the incident of the golden calf (Ex 32) and consecrated for God's Tabernacle (Num 3:9). This precise genealogical designation emphasizes that service was ordered according to family lines, reflecting God's meticulous organization.
in the tabernacle of the congregation: Hebrew: מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדָה (mishkan ha'edah). "Mishkan" means "dwelling place" or "sanctuary," specifically referring to the portable dwelling place of God's presence among Israel. "Ha'edah" (of the congregation) emphasizes that this dwelling served the entire assembly or community of Israel. It was the central point of worship and God's interaction with His people, signifying its paramount importance.
and the tent: Hebrew: אֹהֶל (ohel). This refers to the larger, enclosing structure that protected the inner "mishkan." The "tent" encompassed the coverings mentioned subsequently. While "mishkan" focuses on the sacred structure of dwelling, "ohel" often refers to the outer layers and framework providing protection, implying a broader protective shell.
the covering thereof: Hebrew: מִכְסֵה (mikseh). This word denotes a "covering" or "screen." In the context of the Tabernacle, this refers to the multiple layers of protective skins (ram skins, badger skins) that covered the main curtains of the "tent," providing waterproofing and durability for wilderness travel (Ex 26:7-14). Their maintenance and transportation were critical for preserving the sanctity and physical integrity of the sanctuary.
and the hanging: Hebrew: מָסָךְ (masach). This specifically means a "screen," "curtain," or "veil." It distinguishes it from other "coverings" or "curtains." This particular "hanging" was a substantial, richly embroidered curtain designed for a door or entrance. It signified a barrier or a point of controlled access.
for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: This clarifies the specific location and purpose of the "hanging." It refers to the curtain at the entrance to the holy court, forming the gateway into the Tabernacle complex. It separated the sacred courtyard from the profane outside world, allowing entry only by divine prescription. This reinforced the idea of a holy God accessible on His own terms.

"the charge... of Gershon" and "in the tabernacle": This phrase sets the clear delineation of specific tasks for a distinct clan, vital for the functionality and portability of God's sanctuary. It exemplifies God's precise order and assignment of duties within His community.
"tabernacle of the congregation" (repeated): The repetition emphasizes the central and collective importance of this holy structure for all of Israel. It highlights that God's dwelling was for the entire community ("congregation") and their communal worship and relationship with Him.
"the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door": This enumeration details the specific, outwardly visible, and transport-heavy components the Gershonites were responsible for. These were primarily fabric-based elements, contrasting with the Kohathites' charge of the sacred furnishings and the Merarites' duty concerning the heavier structural components. The distinct division ensured organized and efficient management of a complex holy dwelling during a nomadic period.

Numbers 3 25 Bonus section

The tasks assigned to the Gershonites primarily involved lighter (though still substantial) fabric and rope elements of the Tabernacle, such as the curtains of linen, the coverings of skins, and the cords and tent pegs associated with these components (as further detailed in Num 4:26). While the Kohathites had the responsibility for the most holy articles like the Ark and the altars, and the Merarites for the heavier framework and bases, the Gershonites' duties ensured the visible presentation and environmental protection of the sanctuary. This careful differentiation of labor underscores a principle of divine design: every part, whether foundational or decorative, whether inner or outer, served a unique, divinely appointed purpose, and each tribal family was indispensable to the overall function of the sanctuary. This foreshadows the varied and equally vital gifts and roles within the Body of Christ in the New Covenant, where all contribute to the spiritual building of God's dwelling (Eph 2:20-22, 1 Pet 2:5).

Numbers 3 25 Commentary

Numbers 3:25 succinctly details the Gershonites' specific mandate: the care, transportation, and setup of the Tabernacle's textile components. This task, while perhaps seeming less glorious than carrying the Ark of the Covenant, was fundamentally important for the integrity and mobility of God's dwelling. The precise listing of items—the inner curtains ("tabernacle"), outer protective coverings ("tent" and "covering thereof"), and the entrance screen ("hanging for the door")—highlights God's meticulous instructions for His sanctuary. Every detail, down to the last curtain and rope, was significant because it contributed to the orderly establishment of a holy place where God could dwell among an otherwise imperfect people. This precision reflected God's character of order and His holiness, where even the smallest components had a sacred function. Such careful division of labor prevented chaos, ensured proper reverence, and demonstrated obedience to divine command in preserving the sacred presence during Israel's journey through the wilderness.