Numbers 4 27

Numbers 4:27 kjv

At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens.

Numbers 4:27 nkjv

"Aaron and his sons shall assign all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, all their tasks and all their service. And you shall appoint to them all their tasks as their duty.

Numbers 4:27 niv

All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons. You shall assign to them as their responsibility all they are to carry.

Numbers 4:27 esv

All the service of the sons of the Gershonites shall be at the command of Aaron and his sons, in all that they are to carry and in all that they have to do. And you shall assign to their charge all that they are to carry.

Numbers 4:27 nlt

Aaron and his sons will direct the Gershonites regarding all their duties, whether it involves moving the equipment or doing other work. They must assign the Gershonites responsibility for the loads they are to carry.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 27 Meaning

Numbers 4:27 precisely outlines the supervised service of the Gershonite clan within the Tabernacle system. It establishes that all aspects of their duties, particularly the handling and transport of their assigned holy burdens, were to be conducted under the direct command and oversight of Aaron and his priestly sons. Furthermore, it specifies that Aaron and his sons would meticulously assign to the Gershonites the exact items they were responsible for carrying from their broader category of loads. This verse emphasizes divine order, delegated authority, and the meticulous nature of Tabernacle service.

Numbers 4 27 Context

Numbers chapter 4 focuses on the detailed census, registration, and assignment of specific duties to each of the three major Levite families: Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites. This organization was crucial for the efficient and holy service of the portable Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness wanderings. Numbers 4:27 specifically follows the general instruction for the Gershonites' service (Num 4:21-26), establishing the authority structure under which their tasks would be performed. The broader historical context emphasizes God's meticulous instructions for handling sacred objects, maintaining ritual purity, and establishing a clear hierarchy to prevent defilement or death (as seen in later incidents like Nadab and Abihu or Uzzah). This detailed divine arrangement ensured reverence, holiness, and the smooth functioning of Israel's central place of worship, distinguishing it from pagan worship where unauthorized actions were common.

Numbers 4 27 Word analysis

• At the command of (Hebrew: pi - פִּי, lit. "mouth of"): Implies direct, authoritative instruction and pronouncement, not mere suggestion or permission. It signifies the formal directive issuing from the designated authority.
• Aaron and his sons: Refers to the High Priest and his priestly lineage. They were divinely appointed leaders responsible for overseeing the sanctity of the Tabernacle and ensuring proper worship. Their authority was delegated by God.
• shall be: Establishes a divine imperative, a fixed requirement. This is not optional but mandated by the divine ordinance for Tabernacle service.
• all the service (Hebrew: 'avodah - עֲבֹדָה): Encompasses all work, ministry, or labor related to the Gershonites' responsibilities for the Tabernacle. It denotes comprehensive oversight.
• of the sons of the Gershonites: Designates a specific Levitical clan. Each clan had distinct, specialized tasks (e.g., Gershonites handled curtains, covers; Kohathites handled sacred vessels; Merarites handled framework). This specificity ensured clarity and efficiency.
• in all their burden (Hebrew: massa - מַשָּׂא): Refers to the heavy load or responsibility assigned to them. These were physical items (tent curtains, coverings, ropes) that they were obligated to transport. It also signifies the weight of their duty and accountability.
• and in all their carrying (Hebrew: se't - שְׂאֵת): Emphasizes the act of bearing or lifting. It clarifies that the oversight extended not just to what they carried but how they carried it, implying procedure and care.
• And you shall assign (Hebrew: paqad - פָקַד): Connotes appointing, delegating, or registering. Here, it signifies the act of giving a precise and specific instruction for a task. It implies detailed management and supervision.
• to them from all their burden, that which they are to carry: This highlights detailed allocation. From the general category of items the Gershonites were responsible for, specific assignments would be made, ensuring no ambiguity and precise accountability for each piece of equipment.

• At the command of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service: This phrase unequivocally establishes the hierarchical structure and the priestly authority. God ordained a specific chain of command for the sacred work, emphasizing that divine service is not performed based on individual whims but according to established leadership.
• in all their burden and in all their carrying: This pairing highlights the comprehensiveness of the priestly oversight over the Gershonites' practical duties. It encompasses both the assigned items themselves and the very act of their transport, demonstrating meticulous attention to every aspect of handling sacred Tabernacle components.
• And you shall assign to them from all their burden, that which they are to carry: This specifies that the oversight wasn't just general but involved concrete, detailed delegation. It signifies precise management, where specific responsibilities for portions of the overall load were clearly given to individual Gershonites or their sub-clans. This prevented confusion and ensured full accountability.

Numbers 4 27 Bonus section

The concept of "burden" (massa) in this verse carries a dual meaning: it is both a physical load to be transported and the weight of responsibility that accompanies handling holy items. The specific, precise assignment (paqad) of these burdens by the priests (Aaron and his sons) underscores the principle that responsibility in God's service is divinely distributed and should be clearly communicated by appointed leadership, not assumed or left to arbitrary choice. This ordered structure minimizes chaos and ensures accountability, allowing the Tabernacle to be correctly set up and moved according to God's will. The Levites bore these heavy loads as a form of sacred trust and consecrated labor, a direct contrast to common secular carrying, reinforcing the uniqueness of their calling and the holiness of the items.

Numbers 4 27 Commentary

Numbers 4:27 provides a microcosm of God's character reflected in the organization of the Tabernacle service: meticulousness, order, and clear authority. The verse highlights that even the seemingly mundane task of carrying Tabernacle components was to be executed under strict divine protocols mediated by the High Priest and his sons. This wasn't merely about efficient logistics; it was profoundly theological. It ensured holiness, prevented presumption, and safeguarded the people from violating divine commands concerning sacred objects, thereby avoiding potential death (Num 4:15, 20). The precision demanded underscores the gravity of serving a holy God and models the principle of delegated authority and specific assignment of tasks for the common good within a divinely instituted body, applicable even to the New Covenant church where spiritual leaders are to oversee diverse ministries.