Numbers 4 16

Numbers 4:16 kjv

And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

Numbers 4:16 nkjv

"The appointed duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest is the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the daily grain offering, the anointing oil, the oversight of all the tabernacle, of all that is in it, with the sanctuary and its furnishings."

Numbers 4:16 niv

"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."

Numbers 4:16 esv

"And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil, with the oversight of the whole tabernacle and all that is in it, of the sanctuary and its vessels."

Numbers 4:16 nlt

"Eleazar son of Aaron the priest will be responsible for the oil of the lampstand, the fragrant incense, the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil. In fact, Eleazar will be responsible for the entire Tabernacle and everything in it, including the sanctuary and its furnishings."

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 16 Meaning

Numbers 4:16 outlines the specific, paramount responsibilities assigned to Eleazar, the son of Aaron, who held the office of the High Priest. This verse details his essential duties regarding the upkeep and management of the most sacred elements within the Tabernacle, distinguishing his role from the broader Levitical duties of transport. It underscores his direct oversight over the consecrated items crucial for daily worship and the holiness of the Tent of Meeting, symbolizing the continuity and sanctity of divine service even during Israel's journey in the wilderness.

Numbers 4 16 Context

Numbers chapter 4 details the specific duties of the Levites concerning the transport of the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness wanderings. While the Kohathites (Eleazar's immediate family lineage, but not of his particular branch in terms of the high priesthood) were responsible for carrying the holiest articles, Numbers 4:16 differentiates Eleazar's singular, perpetual charge. This verse establishes the ongoing sacred duties of the High Priest even amidst the mobile camp, distinct from the physical labor of dismantling and reassembling. His office ensures the Tabernacle's continuous functioning as a place of worship and divine presence, reinforcing the divine order and sanctity of Israel's ritual life.

Numbers 4 16 Word analysis

• And to the office (וּפְקֻדַּת - u-pequddat):
  • Pequddah signifies a charge, an oversight, an appointed duty or responsibility. It emphasizes administrative authority and detailed care, rather than merely performing tasks.
  • This term underscores the high priest's ultimate accountability for these items and activities. It is not just about participation but governing the operation.
• of Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָר - ʼElʻazar):
  • Son of Aaron, second High Priest after Aaron's death (Num 20:28).
  • His designation highlights the continuation of the priestly line and the transfer of sacred responsibility within the designated family. His role is hereditary and divinely appointed.
• the son of Aaron (בֶּן־אַהֲרֹן - ben-ʼAharon):
  • Emphasizes lineage and succession. The office and its duties were passed down through the priestly family, stressing legitimacy and divine order.
  • Aaron himself established many of these rituals and was anointed with the sacred oil, making Eleazar's inherited duties highly significant.
• pertains the oil for the light (שֶׁמֶן הַמָּאוֹר - shemen ha-ma'or):
  • Refers specifically to the pure, beaten olive oil for the menorah (Exo 27:20-21; Lev 24:1-4).
  • Symbolizes God's continuous presence and guidance among His people, as the lamp was to burn perpetually. Eleazar's role was to ensure this unbroken symbol of divine light.
• and the fragrant incense (וּקְטֹרֶת הַסַּמִּים - u-qetoret ha-sammim):
  • The special mixture of holy incense (Exo 30:34-38), burned daily on the Altar of Incense (Exo 30:7-8).
  • Symbolizes the prayers of the saints ascending to God (Psa 141:2; Rev 5:8). Eleazar ensured this essential act of worship and communication with God.
• and the daily grain offering (וּמִנְחַת הַתָּמִיד - u-minḥat ha-tamid):
  • Refers to the regular, perpetual grain offering (Num 28:5), possibly consumed daily (Exo 29:40-41; Lev 6:20-23).
  • Represented a recognition of God's provision and sustained communion through ongoing worship, underscoring consistency.
• and the anointing oil (וְשֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה - we-shemen ha-mishchah):
  • The highly sacred oil used to consecrate the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and priests (Exo 30:22-33).
  • Signified setting apart for holy use, endowment with divine power for service. Its proper care ensures the continued holiness of sacred objects and personnel.
• and the oversight of all the tabernacle (וּפְקֻדַּת כָּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן - u-pequddat kol-ha-mishkan):
  • Reiteration of "pequddah," extending Eleazar's charge beyond specific items to the entirety of the Tabernacle structure itself.
  • Highlights his ultimate authority and responsibility for the proper functioning and maintenance of the central place of worship.
• and of all that is in it (וּבְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ - u-vəḵol-ʼăšer-bo):
  • Encompasses all sacred vessels, furniture, and implements inside the Tabernacle (Exo 39, 40).
  • This is a broad category, making Eleazar responsible for every item, large or small, used in divine service, stressing comprehensive accountability.
• with the sanctuary (וּבַקֹּדֶשׁ - u-vaqqodesh):
  • Specifically refers to the inner, most holy parts of the Tabernacle (the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place).
  • Elevates his duty to include even the holiest spaces where only priests (and High Priest) could enter, emphasizing extreme sanctity.
• and all its furnishings (וּבְכָל־כֵּלָיו - u-vəḵol-kelaw):
  • Again emphasizes comprehensive responsibility for every item, perhaps including items associated with the outer courtyard beyond the immediate sanctuary.
  • The repetition of "all" stresses the thoroughness required of his office.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron pertains...": This phrase unequivocally establishes Eleazar's divinely appointed, singular authority and responsibility. It signals a delegation of immense spiritual weight from Moses and Aaron's leadership to Eleazar specifically concerning the daily function and sacred purity of the cult, beyond mere transport duties. It's a statement of permanent, inherent high-priestly responsibility.
• "the oil for the light, and the fragrant incense, and the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil...": This quartet of items represents the core, perpetual elements of Tabernacle worship. They symbolize God's continuous presence (light), prayer (incense), sustenance/provision/devotion (grain offering), and consecration/setting apart (anointing oil). Eleazar's charge ensures the unbroken practice of these foundational acts of worship. These are not merely physical objects but symbols of the ongoing relationship between God and Israel.
• "and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that is in it, with the sanctuary, and all its furnishings.": This expansive closing phrase widens Eleazar's "office" (pequddah) from specific elements to the entire dwelling of God. The triple use of "all" (כָּל) underscores a comprehensive, overarching responsibility. It implies supervision, maintenance, purity, and proper procedure for every aspect of the sacred space, including the Most Holy Place, ensuring God's dwelling remains holy and accessible according to divine law.

Numbers 4 16 Bonus section

• This verse emphasizes divine order and hierarchy. Even within the priestly tribe, distinct roles and levels of responsibility existed, reflecting God's meticulous nature in establishing worship.
• The meticulous detail of the Tabernacle regulations, including Eleazar's specific duties, highlighted God's demand for holiness and the gravity of serving in His presence. This implicitly served as a polemic against pagan practices which were often haphazard, violent, or sexually immoral. Israel's worship was ordered, pure, and specific, emphasizing the transcendence of YHWH.
• The items under Eleazar's care represent the continuity of the covenant relationship. The perpetual light and incense imply that worship and God's presence are never to cease among His people, even as they journey through difficult terrain.
• Eleazar's unique position protected the other Levites and the common Israelites from inadvertently defiling sacred things, thereby acting as a mediator for the people's sanctity before God. This illustrates the protective nature of proper divine service and appointed mediation.

Numbers 4 16 Commentary

Numbers 4:16 provides a succinct yet profound definition of the High Priest's non-transport duties in the wilderness. While other Levites were concerned with the physical moving of the Tabernacle components, Eleazar's mandate was of a higher, ongoing spiritual and administrative nature. He was responsible for the sanctity and continuity of Israel's central acts of worship: maintaining the light (God's presence), ensuring incense ascended (prayer), providing daily offerings (sustained devotion), and safeguarding the sacred anointing oil (consecration). This oversight meant not just ensuring the rituals were performed but preserving the holy objects themselves. Eleazar's charge signified that divine worship and the careful management of God's holy dwelling were paramount, independent of the camp's mobility. This systematic divine order ensured the purity and proper function of the worship system, vital for maintaining God's presence among His people, prefiguring Christ's ultimate, comprehensive, and perpetual High Priestly work.