Numbers 7 8

Numbers 7:8 kjv

And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Numbers 7:8 nkjv

and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Numbers 7:8 niv

and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.

Numbers 7:8 esv

And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Numbers 7:8 nlt

and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarite division for their work. All their work was done under the leadership of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 8 Meaning

Numbers 7:8 describes the specific allocation of transport wagons and oxen given to the sons of Merari for their duties in disassembling and transporting the Tabernacle during Israel's journey in the wilderness. It highlights that this provision was perfectly suited ("according to their service") to the heavy and structural components they were responsible for carrying, demonstrating God's meticulous care and divine ordering in His service.

Numbers 7 8 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the extensive offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel for the dedication of the Tabernacle, which had recently been completed and consecrated. This period immediately follows the setting up of the Tabernacle and the consecration of the priesthood. Moses, acting under divine instruction (v. 5), is responsible for distributing wagons and oxen to the Gershonite and Merarite clans of Levites. The purpose of these gifts was to aid in the transportation of the disassembled Tabernacle during the Israelites' wilderness journey. The extreme precision and repetition in the chapter emphasize the order, significance, and divine supervision over every aspect of the Tabernacle service and the lives of the Israelites. Numbers 7:8 specifically addresses the provision made for the Merarites, whose task involved the heaviest structural components of the Tabernacle.

Numbers 7 8 Word analysis

• And the four wagons (וְאֵת אַרְבַּע הָעֲגָלוֹת - və'ēt 'arbba' ha'agālôt):

  • "Four" ('arbba'): A specific, precise number, emphasizing God's exact provision tailored to need.
  • "Wagons" ('agālôt): Heavy, wheeled carts designed for carrying bulky and weighty materials. This particular allocation highlights the substantial nature of the items the Merarites were responsible for transporting, distinguishing their role from other Levite families. The detail emphasizes God's practical foresight.

• and the eight oxen (וְאֵת שְׁמֹנֶה הַבָּקָר - və'ēt šmōneh habbāqār):

  • "Eight" (šmōneh): Again, a precise number. Double the number of oxen per wagon (two oxen per wagon) compared to the Gershonites' allocation (two wagons, four oxen – implying one ox per wagon initially, though likely teams), underscoring the extreme weight or the difficult terrain expected for the Merarites' burdens.
  • "Oxen" (bāqār): Strong, draft animals capable of pulling heavy loads. Essential for the strenuous work required for Merari's duties.

• he gave (נָתַן - nāthan):

  • Refers to Moses giving these under the explicit command of God (Num 7:5). It highlights that this was a divine directive, not merely a human logistical decision. God orchestrates the provision.

• unto the sons of Merari (לִבְנֵי מְרָרִי - livnê Mərarî):

  • "Merari": One of the three clans descended from Levi (along with Gershon and Kohath). Their specific charge was the transport of the frames, bars, pillars, and sockets of the Tabernacle (Num 3:36-37, 4:31-32). These were the heaviest, most structural, and least portable parts of the holy dwelling. This lineage ensured their dedicated role in Tabernacle service.

• according to their service (כְּפִי עֲבֹדָתָם - kəfî 'avōdātām):

  • "According to" (kəfî): Literally "according to the mouth of," meaning "in proportion to" or "commensurate with."
  • "Their service" ('avōdātām): Refers to their assigned work, labor, or ministry. This phrase is key, as it indicates the perfect match between the provision given and the specific, arduous duties laid upon the Merarites. God provides precisely what is needed for the task at hand. This speaks to divine efficiency and care, where burdens and blessings are perfectly aligned.

Numbers 7 8 Bonus section

The careful enumeration in Numbers chapter 7, particularly the repeated phrases for each tribal leader's offering, serves several significant purposes. It not only establishes a permanent record of the leaders' obedience and generosity in consecrating the Tabernacle, but it also profoundly emphasizes the orderliness and precision that God demands in worship and service. The distinct provisions for each Levitical family (Kohath, Gershon, Merari) prefigure the New Testament principle of the diversity of spiritual gifts and roles within the body of Christ (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12). Just as the Merarites were equipped for their heavy burden, every believer is supernaturally gifted and supplied by the Holy Spirit for the specific ministry God has ordained for them, ensuring that the work of the Lord can be carried out effectively. The meticulous detailing of the transport for the Tabernacle underscores its sacredness and the necessity of handling God's presence and holy things with utmost reverence and according to His explicit instructions.

Numbers 7 8 Commentary

Numbers 7:8 is a precise record of divine provision for a specific task within God's organized worship. The detailed allocation of four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarite clan underscores the meticulous care God exercises in equipping His servants. The quantity provided directly reflects the nature of their labor, which involved transporting the heaviest components of the Tabernacle—its solid structural framework, pillars, and sockets. This stands in clear contrast to the Gershonites (Num 7:7), who received fewer wagons and oxen for lighter coverings, and especially to the Kohathites (Num 7:9), who received no wagons at all, as their duty was to carry the holy vessels upon their shoulders. This demonstrates not only the practical logistics of moving the wilderness sanctuary but also a profound spiritual truth: God knows the burdens of His servants and provides exact, sufficient, and appropriate resources for every appointed service. His provision is always proportionate to the task, ensuring that what He calls His people to do, He enables them to accomplish. It’s an example of divine foresight, care, and a blueprint for ordered and effective service, where every role is important and perfectly resourced.