Numbers 4 31

Numbers 4:31 kjv

And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,

Numbers 4:31 nkjv

And this is what they must carry as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,

Numbers 4:31 niv

As part of all their service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases,

Numbers 4:31 esv

And this is what they are charged to carry, as the whole of their service in the tent of meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, with its bars, pillars, and bases,

Numbers 4:31 nlt

"Their only duty at the Tabernacle will be to carry loads. They will carry the frames of the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the posts, and the bases;

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 31 Meaning

Numbers 4:31 describes the specific duties assigned to the Gershonites concerning the dismantling and transport of the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journeys. It details that "this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting, for the sons of the Gershonites." This verse summarizes their comprehensive responsibility for carrying the less sacred but still essential outer components of the Tabernacle, distinguishing their role from other Levitical families.

Numbers 4 31 Context

Numbers chapter 4 focuses meticulously on the census and the detailed duties of the Levite clans—the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—for the dismantling, transport, and reassembly of the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness wanderings. This elaborate assignment of duties was critical for maintaining the holiness and order required when moving the physical dwelling place of God. Prior to this chapter, the Levites were distinguished from the other tribes (Numbers 1-2) and were set apart for service instead of military duty (Numbers 3).

Specifically, Numbers 4:31 falls within the section detailing the Gershonites' responsibilities (verses 21-28). The Kohathites (4:1-20) were responsible for the most sacred internal furnishings, carried directly on their shoulders and heavily guarded. The Merarites (4:29-33) handled the Tabernacle's structural framework, such as the boards, bars, pillars, and bases, transported by wagons. The Gershonites, as stated in this verse, were tasked with the "burden" or "carrying" of the lighter, less sacred, yet still vital coverings, curtains, and hangings, using wagons. The precise detail underscores God's demand for order, reverence, and accountability in all matters pertaining to His presence. This differentiation prevented any chaotic handling of the sacred and maintained clear boundaries for approach to a holy God, crucial for Israel's survival and spiritual well-being in the presence of the Almighty.

Historically, this intricate system reflected a rejection of surrounding pagan worship, which often lacked such specific divine instruction and was characterized by human caprice and ritualistic chaos. The detailed order commanded by YHWH for His worship emphasized His transcendent nature, distinct from deities manipulated by human whim.

Numbers 4 31 Word analysis

• וְזֹאת (və-zōṯ) - "And this" or "Now this."

  • This opening conjunction (וְ, 'and') introduces the summary statement for the Gershonites, linking it directly to the preceding detailed instructions given for their service. It highlights a definitive summation of their charge.

• מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mišmeret) - "charge," "duty," "guard," "keeping."

  • Signifies a sacred trust, a prescribed task that must be observed or guarded diligently. It implies accountability and careful preservation.
  • Often used in the context of priestly or Levitical duties concerning the Tabernacle or temple (e.g., Num 1:53; 3:7, 38).
  • This term reflects God's emphasis on meticulous adherence to divine commands in religious service. It points to a strict boundary of responsibility.

• מַשָּׂאָם (massā'ām) - "their burden," "their carrying," "that which is lifted."

  • Refers to the physical items that the Gershonites were responsible for transporting. In the context of the Tabernacle, this specifically includes the tent's coverings, the curtains, and the court hangings.
  • The term implies weight and labor, underscoring the physical demands of their service.
  • The possessive suffix 'ām' ("their") makes it specific to the Gershonites' allocated load.

• לְכָל (ləḵāl) - "for all," "according to all."

  • A prepositive particle "lə-" combined with "kōl" (all/every), signifying totality or comprehensiveness.
  • Emphasizes that their "charge of burden" (מִשְׁמֶרֶת מַשָּׂאָם) encompassed every aspect of their assigned "service" (עֲבֹדָתָם). There were no exceptions or omissions to their duties. This highlights God's demand for complete obedience.

• עֲבֹדָתָם (ʿăvōḏātām) - "their service," "their work," "their ministry."

  • A broader term than "burden," encompassing the entire active function and role of the Gershonites in the Tabernacle. It suggests not just carrying but also setting up and taking down these components.
  • It's a foundational term for religious worship and sacred duties throughout the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "service" or "worship" in the context of serving God (Ex 12:26, Num 3:7).
  • Connects physical labor to spiritual devotion, where specific tasks are part of one's sacred calling.

• בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (bəʾōhel mōʿēḏ) - "in the Tent of Meeting."

  • This is the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God met with Israel (Ex 29:42-43).
  • Locates the scope of the Gershonites' service strictly within the confines and purpose of this sacred dwelling. Their work was intrinsically tied to maintaining the integrity and functionality of the dwelling of God's presence.
  • The specific mention reminds the audience that even "lesser" tasks performed for God's holy dwelling are significant because of its ultimate purpose.

• לִבְנֵי הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (liḇnē hagēršunnī) - "for the sons of the Gershonite/Gershon."

  • Identifies the specific Levitical clan assigned these duties. Gershon was one of Levi's three sons (Gen 46:11, Ex 6:16).
  • This precise designation of lineage reflects God's established order and the structured nature of ministry, where roles are defined by divine appointment rather than self-selection.
  • It reinforces the tribal organization and specific allocations within Israel's camp, where every family and individual had a distinct, God-given role.

Words-group analysis:

• "This is the charge of their burden": Emphasizes the defined, divinely appointed nature of their responsibility. It's a precise task, a sacred trust, that involved physical transportation. The phrase differentiates the type of items (the "burden") they carry from the general concept of service.
• "according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting": Links their specific "burden" directly to their broader role of "service" within the Tabernacle. It signifies that the physical act of carrying was an integral part of their worship and duty. This totality stresses God's demand for full, complete obedience in their given function. No aspect of their work within God's dwelling was insignificant.
• "for the sons of the Gershonites": Pinpoints the recipient of this specific charge, reinforcing the Levitical lineage system and the divine ordering of tasks. It underscores the principle of delegated authority and specific, accountable roles within the body of God's people. This detail ensures no confusion about who was responsible for what.

Numbers 4 31 Bonus section

• Symbolic Weight vs. Physical Weight: While the Kohathites carried items of extreme spiritual weight (Ark, Altar), the Merarites carried items of physical weight (Tabernacle frames, pillars). The Gershonites were in between, carrying the lighter but extensive fabric components. This nuanced distinction shows a carefully balanced division of labor based on both sacred significance and physical load, all ordained by God.
• Precedent for Ministerial Boundaries: The specific roles given to each Levite family established a pattern for ministerial structure within Israel. It served as a powerful reminder that spiritual authority and service were not to be undertaken arbitrarily but strictly according to divine appointment and careful instruction, a principle reiterated in the New Testament concerning church order and spiritual gifts (e.g., Acts 6:1-4 on deacons' specific duties).
• A Polemic Against Idolatry: The surrounding pagan cultures often had deities that were represented by crude idols or localized shrines lacking order and sanctity in their operations. YHWH's instructions for the Tabernacle and its movement were a strong polemic against such practices. They emphasized His omnipresence (not confined to a physical structure) yet His desire for an ordered encounter, teaching Israel how a truly holy God wished to be approached and served. Every detail underscored YHWH's unique nature as the God of order, precision, and purity, utterly distinct from chaotic and ethically fluid pagan gods.

Numbers 4 31 Commentary

Numbers 4:31 succinctly defines the essence of the Gershonites' ministry in the Tabernacle: handling its covers and hangings during its relocation. This duty, though less revered than the Kohathites' care of holy vessels or the Merarites' transport of heavy frames, was foundational and critical. It teaches several vital principles:

Firstly, holiness by proximity: Every element of the Tabernacle, no matter how seemingly mundane (curtains, ropes, covers), was deemed holy by its association with God's dwelling. This required specific handling by set-apart individuals, instilling profound reverence for all things related to God.

Secondly, divine order and distinct roles: God's detailed commands to each Levitical family (Kohathites, Gershonites, Merarites) demonstrate His preference for order over chaos and precision over negligence. Each clan had a specific, non-overlapping function, underscoring that every God-given role, whether perceived as prominent or humble, is essential and contributes to the greater work. No one was to overstep their bounds, and no duty was deemed unimportant. This foreshadows the diverse, interdependent functions within the body of Christ (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12), where "the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you.'"

Thirdly, accountability in service: The repeated emphasis on "charge" (mišmeret) highlights the grave responsibility laid upon the Gershonites. Their duty was not a suggestion but a sacred obligation requiring faithfulness and carefulness. Disregard could lead to divine wrath (Num 1:53). This principle applies to all who serve God today: faithfulness in assigned tasks, however small, is paramount.

Finally, God's meticulous provision and glory: The entire Tabernacle system, with its detailed transport arrangements, reflects God's absolute holiness and His desire to dwell among His people in an orderly way. The Gershonites' service, though physically demanding and perhaps outwardly less glorious, contributed directly to the movement of God's manifest presence, demonstrating that all dedicated effort for His kingdom's advancement contributes to His glory.

• Examples:
  • A humble usher, diligently preparing a meeting place for worship, echoes the Gershonites' commitment to making God's dwelling functional and reverent.
  • A person consistently contributing to mundane administrative tasks in a ministry, ensuring smooth operations, serves God with the same necessary devotion as the Gershonites.