Numbers 3 36

Numbers 3:36 kjv

And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,

Numbers 3:36 nkjv

And the appointed duty of the children of Merari included the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, its utensils, all the work relating to them,

Numbers 3:36 niv

The Merarites were appointed to take care of the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,

Numbers 3:36 esv

And the appointed guard duty of the sons of Merari involved the frames of the tabernacle, the bars, the pillars, the bases, and all their accessories; all the service connected with these;

Numbers 3:36 nlt

These two clans were responsible for the care of the frames supporting the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the pillars, the bases, and all the equipment related to their use.

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 36 Meaning

Numbers 3:36 delineates the specific responsibility entrusted to the Merarite families among the Levites. Their divinely appointed task involved the care and transport of the heaviest, foundational elements of the tabernacle: its wooden framework (boards), connecting bars, supporting pillars, and their stable bases (sockets), along with all the associated utensils and items necessary for the physical erection and service of these structural components. This verse highlights the precise and distinct roles God assigned to each Levitical clan to ensure the orderly maintenance and movement of His sanctuary.

Numbers 3 36 Context

Numbers chapter 3 describes God's divine organization of the Levites, who were specifically chosen to serve the priests and care for the tabernacle in place of the firstborn of Israel. The chapter enumerates the three primary Levite families descended from Levi's sons—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari—and assigns them distinct duties concerning the sacred sanctuary. Numbers 3:36 focuses specifically on the Merarites. Their role, as detailed here and more fully in chapter 4, involved the heaviest and most structurally integral parts of the tabernacle. This divine precision underscored the holiness of the sanctuary and the need for meticulous, God-ordained service in every aspect of worship. This meticulous detail contrasts with pagan worship that was often chaotic or arbitrary. The wilderness context means these items were constantly moved, making their transportation a significant logistical and spiritual responsibility.

Numbers 3 36 Word analysis

• And those that were appointed: Hebrew: וּפְקֻדַּת (uph'qudat) from פָּקַד (paqad), meaning "to visit," "to number," but also "to appoint," "to charge with." This emphasizes divine ordination; their role was not self-chosen but specifically given by God, highlighting accountability.
• over the charge: Hebrew: מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmeret), meaning "guard," "charge," "office," "duty." It denotes a sacred trust, a custodial responsibility to observe, protect, and fulfill specific tasks.
• of the families of Merari: Identifies the specific lineage designated for this task. Merari, meaning "bitter," adds a layer of ironic significance considering their role in carrying the physically heaviest burdens of the Tabernacle, contrasting with the often "sweet" nature of service.
• were the sons of Merari by their families: Reiteration of the hereditary and clan-based nature of this duty, emphasizing lineage and corporate responsibility passed down.
• for they had the oversight of: Indicates their function was to manage, care for, and attend to these specific items.
• the boards of the tabernacle: Hebrew: קְרָשִׁים (qerashim), referring to the large, vertical wooden planks that formed the main walls of the tabernacle. These were significant, heavy structural elements.
• and the bars thereof: Hebrew: בְּרִיחִים (beriyachim), wooden bars that ran horizontally through rings in the boards to hold the framework together. They ensured the integrity and stability of the structure.
• and the pillars thereof: Hebrew: עַמֻּדִים (ammudim), pillars that supported the veils and screen divisions within and around the tabernacle. These were also substantial, structural supports.
• and the sockets thereof: Hebrew: אֲדָנִים (adanin), the bases or pedestals into which the boards and pillars were set. These were typically made of heavy bronze or silver, providing a solid and weighty foundation. They were vital for stability.
• and all the instruments thereof: Hebrew: כְּלֵי (k’ley), meaning "vessels," "utensils," or "implements." This refers to all auxiliary equipment directly associated with these structural components, beyond the main pieces themselves.
• and all that served thereto: Hebrew: כָּל־שֵׁרוּתֹו (kol-sheruto), literally "all its service" or "everything for its service." This is a comprehensive phrase, indicating all accessories, ancillary tools, and necessary provisions related to the handling, erection, and dismantling of the heavy items under their charge, ensuring a complete and thorough assignment.

Words-group analysis

• "those that were appointed over the charge": This phrase highlights divine commissioning and delegated authority. It speaks to a specific call and the serious responsibility it entailed, emphasizing that this was not a self-chosen task but a God-given stewardship.
• "the families of Merari... sons of Merari by their families": This repetition underscores the hereditary nature of the Levitical service, specifically within the Merarite lineage. It signifies that identity, duty, and spiritual legacy were interwoven within the clan structure, passed from generation to generation, establishing order and continuity in divine service.
• "boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof": This group enumerates the heaviest, most fundamental structural components of the tabernacle. Unlike the Kohathites who handled the holy vessels, or the Gershonites who handled the lighter curtains, the Merarites were tasked with the "heavy lifting." This speaks to the burden of responsibility and the essential, foundational, though perhaps less glamorous, nature of their service.
• "all the instruments thereof, and all that served thereto": This concluding phrase acts as a comprehensive summation. It ensures that no detail related to their specific task was omitted. It signifies thoroughness in God's command and in the execution expected from the Merarites—not just the major items but everything ancillary to their function.

Numbers 3 36 Bonus section

• The distinct assignments for each Levitical family (Gershonites, Kohathites, Merarites) serve as a theological polemic against chaos or arbitrary worship practices common in pagan cultures. God’s design emphasizes divine order, hierarchy, and a precise execution of sacred duties, reflecting His character as a God of order and not of confusion (1 Cor 14:33).
• The fact that the "sockets" or bases (adanin) were often made of precious silver, derived from the half-shekel atonement money of the census (Exod 38:27-28), gives deep symbolic meaning. It suggests that the very foundations and stability of the sacred structure rested upon the atoning provision for God's people.
• The Merarites, despite bearing the heaviest components, were granted two carts and four oxen (Num 7:8) for transport, while the Gershonites (coverings) received two carts and four oxen and the Kohathites (holy vessels) received no carts but carried their items on their shoulders. This highlights the varying degrees of weight and holiness, reinforcing divine wisdom in logistical provision for their specific "burden." The Kohathites carried their holiest items on their shoulders because direct, unmediated contact by the uncovered items was strictly forbidden and involved sacral danger, contrasting with the Merarites' structural load.

Numbers 3 36 Commentary

Numbers 3:36 meticulously outlines the essential, physically demanding role of the Merarites in caring for the tabernacle's framework. This was not a minor detail but a critical aspect of God's ordered worship. Their task involved the foundations, the support systems—the "bones" of the sanctuary. This highlights several key spiritual principles: the necessity of specific roles in God's work, the importance of attending to foundational aspects (which often are the heaviest burdens), and that all contributions, even the less "visible" or glamorous ones, are divinely appointed and indispensable for the corporate body. Their service reminds us that effective spiritual endeavors require those who faithfully bear the structural weight, ensuring stability and proper functioning. In the New Testament Church, this resonates with the concept of the spiritual temple (1 Cor 3:9, Eph 2:19-22), where every believer contributes their unique gifts, with some roles focusing on the foundational support and practical burdens of ministry, essential for building up the body of Christ.