Numbers 4 26

Numbers 4:26 kjv

And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve.

Numbers 4:26 nkjv

the screen for the door of the gate of the court, the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and altar, and their cords, all the furnishings for their service and all that is made for these things: so shall they serve.

Numbers 4:26 niv

the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard, the ropes and all the equipment used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things.

Numbers 4:26 esv

and the hangings of the court and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords and all the equipment for their service. And they shall do all that needs to be done with regard to them.

Numbers 4:26 nlt

They are also to carry the curtains for the courtyard walls that surround the Tabernacle and altar, the curtain across the courtyard entrance, the ropes, and all the equipment related to their use. The Gershonites are responsible for all these items.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 26 Meaning

Numbers 4:26 specifies the items that were the responsibility of the Merarite clan of the Levites during the transport of the Tabernacle through the wilderness. It lists the main components that constituted the Tabernacle's outer court, including the curtains that formed its perimeter and the elaborately crafted screen serving as the court's sole entrance. Additionally, it enumerates the associated items crucial for their stability and function, such as their supporting cords and all other general equipment necessary for the entire system's service and maintenance. This meticulous detail underscores the divine order and precise allocation of duties required for the handling of God's sacred dwelling place.

Numbers 4 26 Context

Numbers chapter 4 meticulously outlines the duties of the three Levitical clans—Kohath, Gershon, and Merari—regarding the transportation of the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journeys. After detailing the sacred duties of the Kohathites concerning the holiest articles (Num 4:1-20) and the Gershonites' responsibilities for the lighter tent coverings and inner curtains (Num 4:21-28), Numbers 4:26 specifies a segment of the Merarites' charge. The Merarites were appointed to transport the heavy structural components of the Tabernacle. Historically, this command highlights the detailed divine instructions for handling sacred objects, emphasizing God's omnipresent order in every aspect of His people's worship and journey. The precision contrasts sharply with the often chaotic and self-devised worship of contemporary pagan societies, asserting Yahweh's authority and distinctiveness.

Numbers 4 26 Word analysis

• and the hangings (וְקַלְעֵי, v'kal'ei): From Hebrew qela'im, meaning "curtains" or "hangings." These were fine linen curtains, five cubits high, supported by pillars, which enclosed the outer court of the Tabernacle. They formed a sacred boundary, separating the holy space from the common desert, emphasizing the need for separation and distinctiveness in approaching God.
• of the court (הֶחָצֵר, hechatzér): The Hebrew chatzer refers to the large outer courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle tent. This space housed the altar of burnt offering and the laver, serving as the area for public worship and sacrifice, accessible to the general Israelite congregation.
• and the screen (וּמָסַךְ, u'masach): From Hebrew masakh, signifying a veil or curtain. This particular screen was the sole entrance to the Tabernacle court (Ex 27:16). It was richly woven with blue, purple, scarlet material, and fine linen, signifying its unique importance as the exclusive, divinely ordained pathway into God's immediate presence.
• for the door (פֶּתַח, petach): The Hebrew petach denotes an "opening" or "entrance." It refers to the singular point of access into the court.
• of the gate (שַׁעַר, sha'ar): The Hebrew sha'ar means "gate." This emphasizes the designated entry point into the courtyard. The specific wording highlights that there was only one controlled entry, teaching an exclusive pathway to God.
• of the court (הֶחָצֵר, hechatzér): Reiteration for clarity, specifying which gate.
• which is by the Tabernacle (אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן, asher al-hamishkán): The Hebrew Mishkan means "dwelling place," referring to the portable sanctuary tent. This phrase clarifies that the court structure surrounded the central holy dwelling, framing and protecting it.
• and by the altar (וְעַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, v'al-hammizbêach): The mizbeach is the altar of burnt offering in the courtyard. This reinforces that the court enclosed both the dwelling place of God and the place of atonement, critical for Israelite worship.
• all around (סָבִיב, savív): The Hebrew saviv means "round about" or "surrounding completely." This term emphasizes the comprehensive enclosure of the holy space, signifying divine protection and complete demarcation from the common.
• and their cords (וְיִתְרֵיהֶם, v'yitrêhem): From Hebrew yether, meaning "rope," "string," or "cord." These cords were essential for anchoring and securing the heavy pillars and frames of the court, ensuring the stability and integrity of the structure during erection and travel. They illustrate the critical role of even seemingly small details in fulfilling divine mandates.
• and all the equipment (וְכֹל כְּלֵי, v'khol k'lei): Kelim means "vessels" or "utensils." This comprehensive term encompasses all auxiliary tools and implements associated with the setup and maintenance of the court's structure, indicating meticulous divine provision.
• for their service (עֲבֹדָתָם, avodatam): From Hebrew avodah, meaning "work," "service," or "ministry." This emphasizes that all listed items, no matter how mundane, were for sacred, divinely commanded work.
• concerning them (לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יֵעָשֶׂה לָהֶם, l'khol asher ye'aseh lahem): This is a catch-all phrase, literally "to all that which is done to them" or "for everything that pertains to them." It signifies that every aspect, no matter how small, related to the care, transport, and assembly of the court items, was divinely included and had specific Merarite responsibility.

• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the gate of the court": These elements jointly form the visible and functional boundary of the Tabernacle courtyard. They represent the divine establishment of a sacred, separated space and a specific, singular entrance, conveying God's holiness and His ordered approach.
  • "which is by the tabernacle and by the altar all around": This group delineates the physical layout and purpose of the court. It confirms that this outer enclosure surrounded the direct dwelling place of God (Tabernacle) and the essential site of atonement (Altar), meticulously encompassing these holy foci.
  • "and their cords and all the equipment for their service concerning them": This segment highlights the practicality and thoroughness of the divine instructions. It includes both the key structural connectors (cords) and all miscellaneous tools and components (`equipment`) essential for the proper transport, erection, and functioning of the courtyard elements. It underscores that every single detail, even the smallest, was crucial for the sacred work.

Commentary

Numbers 4:26 underscores the profound order and precision inherent in God's divine instructions concerning the Tabernacle. This verse details the heavy, labor-intensive burden specifically assigned to the Merarite clan of the Levites, who were responsible for the unwieldy and weighty components of the Tabernacle's outer court. The mention of "hangings," the unique "screen for the gate," and even seemingly minor items like "cords" and "equipment for their service" conveys that nothing concerning God's dwelling place was left to chance or human invention. Each element, large or small, contributed to the whole and was vital for establishing the sacred boundary between the holy and the common. The singular "gate" further stresses the exclusive, God-appointed means of approach. This divine exactitude provided an antidote to pagan worship, which often involved self-devised rituals and idol structures. Furthermore, the portability of these components signified God's active presence and willingness to journey with His people, a stark contrast to static idols requiring human effort for movement. This verse teaches the importance of diligent, faithful service in even the less glorious or physically demanding tasks within God's service, recognizing that all components and functions, regardless of visibility, contribute to the sanctity and purpose of His kingdom.

Bonus section

The Merarites were allocated the heaviest of the three Levitical clans' burdens. While the Kohathites carried the holiest, often lighter objects like the Ark, the Merarites transported the actual, substantial framework. Calculations based on typical material weights suggest that their assigned load could have been several tons (potentially ranging from 6.5 to 9 tons), necessitating the use of ox-drawn carts (Num 7:8) in contrast to the shoulder-carried loads of the Kohathites. This practical detail reinforces the meticulous organization of roles and resources within Israel's camp, emphasizing that diverse contributions—both holy and physically strenuous—were equally valued and necessary for God's purposes. The distinct allocation of duties among the Kohathites (holiest articles), Gershonites (curtains and coverings), and Merarites (structural framework) serves as a biblical paradigm for the diverse spiritual gifts and functions within the body of believers (e.g., Rom 12; 1 Cor 12), where every role, however humble or physically demanding, is essential for the holistic function and witness of God's people.

Numbers 4 26 Bonus section

Numbers 4 26 Commentary