Numbers 4 15

Numbers 4:15 kjv

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 4:15 nkjv

And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. " These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.

Numbers 4:15 niv

"After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, only then are the Kohathites to come and 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.

Numbers 4:15 esv

And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry.

Numbers 4:15 nlt

The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites must carry.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 15 Meaning

Numbers 4:15 outlines the specific, highly sensitive duty of the Kohathite clan among the Levites regarding the transport of the holiest articles of the Tabernacle. It stipulates that only after Aaron and his sons (the priests) have properly covered the sacred vessels and sanctuary furnishings may the Kohathites approach to carry them. A stringent command accompanies this task: they must not touch the holy things directly, under penalty of death. This verse thus defines their unique "burdens" or responsibilities in the Tent of Meeting, emphasizing the utmost reverence, precise order, and severe consequences for mishandling God's holy presence.

Numbers 4 15 Context

Numbers 4 focuses meticulously on the duties of the three Levitical clans—Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—in the transport of the Tabernacle and its contents during Israel's wilderness journeys. Following the census and the detailed assignments of chapter 3, chapter 4 delineates the precise roles and regulations for moving the sacred sanctuary. This systematic order ensures that every part of God's dwelling place is handled according to His divine instructions.

Verse 15 specifically addresses the Kohathites, who were entrusted with the holiest and most symbolically potent items: the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, and the various vessels used in the sanctuary. Their duty was paramount as they carried the very symbols of God's presence and provision among His people. The verse is part of a larger section (Num 4:1-20) dedicated to the Kohathites' tasks, with particular emphasis on the critical preparation work performed by the priests (Aaron and his sons) before the Kohathites could even touch the items. This chain of command underscores the gravity of their collective responsibility and the sanctity of the items. Historically and culturally, this strict separation of roles and the emphasis on ritual purity and order would have underscored the distinctness of Israel's God from pagan deities, whose cultic objects were often handled more casually by priests. The immediate threat of death for transgression served as a constant reminder of God's incomparable holiness and justice.

Numbers 4 15 Word analysis

• And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering

  • Aaron and his sons: Refers to the priestly lineage, descendants of Aaron who alone were consecrated to perform sacrificial and mediatorial roles. Their act of "covering" (root: כָּסָה, kasah) is a crucial prerequisite, not merely practical, but ritually significant to veil God's holiness and make the objects safe for the Kohathites to handle, preventing death (Num 4:5-14).
  • finished (כָּלָה, kalah): Implies completeness and thoroughness. The task of covering must be fully executed, leaving nothing undone. This speaks to God's demand for meticulous obedience in worship.
  • covering: Not a simple draping, but a specific multi-layered procedure for each item as detailed in the preceding verses. This act both protects the items and veils their divine glory from direct sight, emphasizing God's transcendence.

• the holy vessels (כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ, k’ley hakodesh) and all the furnishings of the sanctuary,

  • holy vessels: These are instruments set apart exclusively for sacred service to God (e.g., Ark, altar of incense, menorah). They derive their "holiness" (קֹדֶשׁ, kodesh, meaning "set apart," "consecrated," "sacred") from their association with God's divine presence and purpose, reflecting His absolute purity.
  • furnishings of the sanctuary: Broader term for all equipment and accessories within the Tabernacle structure, signifying that every item, regardless of perceived importance, was consecrated.
  • sanctuary (הַקֹּדֶשׁ, hakodesh): The Tabernacle itself, specifically the holy places within it (the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place). It signifies the dedicated dwelling place of the holy God.

• as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them,

  • as the camp sets out: Emphasizes synchronized movement. The preparation and transport are tightly coordinated with Israel's nomadic journey, demonstrating God's sovereign leading and perfect order.
  • after that: Strict chronological order; Kohathites only act subsequent to the priestly covering. This sequential instruction highlights God's demand for precise protocol.
  • sons of Kohath: One of the three Levitical clans, uniquely chosen for this grave responsibility due to their close familial relationship to Aaron (being direct descendants of Levi through Kohath, Aaron's father).
  • to carry them (נָשָׂא, nasa): To lift, bear, carry. Their specific assigned role was to transport the covered, holy articles. This implies physical exertion for sacred duty.

• but they shall not touch the holy things, lest they die.

  • not touch (לֹא יִגְּעוּ, lo yiggu): Absolute prohibition, negatively phrased ("shall not"). It is not just about physically grasping, but any direct contact that compromises the sanctity of the veiled object. This extreme caution reinforces the boundary between human and divine holiness.
  • the holy things: Reiteration of the consecrated nature, reinforcing the reason for the strict command.
  • lest they die (וּמֵתוּ, umetu): Direct consequence for transgression, a divinely enforced death penalty. This demonstrates God's immediate judgment against irreverence and disorder concerning His sacred person and property (e.g., Lev 10:1-2; 2 Sam 6:6-7). This polemics against any casual, superstitious, or pagan approaches to deity, asserting YHWH's sovereign power and unapproachable purity.

• These are the burdens of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting.

  • These are the burdens (מַשָּׂא, massa): Signifies both a literal physical "load" or "weight" that must be carried, and a figurative "responsibility" or "task" of significant magnitude. The term can also mean an oracle or prophetic pronouncement, indicating the gravity and divine origin of this charge.
  • tabernacle of meeting (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, ohel mo'ed): "Tent of Appointment" or "Tent of Meeting." This title emphasizes that the Tabernacle is not just a physical structure but the designated place where God meets with His people, giving instructions and manifesting His presence. Their "burden" is directly related to the portable presence of God among them.

Numbers 4 15 Bonus section

• The detail of specific roles (Aaron's sons vs. Kohathites) emphasizes functional differentiation within service to God. While all Levites were "set apart," each clan had a distinct and non-interchangeable duty.
• The severity of the "lest they die" warning is not arbitrary but points to the radical holiness of God. Any casual, irreverent, or presumptuous handling of what pertains to God's immediate presence threatens the entire covenant relationship and would be met with swift judgment to maintain the integrity of God's character among His people.
• The covering procedure provided a "spiritual buffer" between God's manifest holiness and human fallibility. The veils were symbolic; they did not diminish God's glory but allowed the objects to be handled by mere mortals.
• The "burdens" (מַשָּׂא, massa) the Kohathites carried were physically demanding due to the materials (gold, bronze, acacia wood) and size of the articles, highlighting the cost and dedication required for service. This practical weight also spiritually symbolized the weight of responsibility placed upon them.

Numbers 4 15 Commentary

Numbers 4:15 encapsulates a profound truth about God's nature and humanity's approach to Him: His unassailable holiness demands utmost reverence, precise order, and complete obedience. The intricate chain of command—priests covering, then Levites carrying—illustrates that access to God and service within His presence are strictly governed by divine decree, not human ingenuity or good intention. The explicit warning, "lest they die," highlights the immediate and serious consequences of desecrating what belongs to God. This was not a punitive decree, but a protective measure to impress upon Israel the gravity of divine presence and their sacred calling, ensuring their spiritual survival by preserving the holiness of God among them. This verse serves as a crucial theological foundation, demonstrating that God defines the terms of His relationship with humanity. It underscores the concept that only through mediation (priests) and according to specific divine instructions can humanity handle or approach the sacred, pointing forward to Christ as the ultimate High Priest and the perfect Mediator who makes true access to God possible without judgment (Heb 10:19-22). This passage reinforces the principle that while God desires intimacy with His people, He is also majestic and demands separation from profanity.