1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

2 Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,

3From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

4This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:

5And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:

6And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.

7And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:

8And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.

9And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:

10And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon a bar.

11And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:

12And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar:

13And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:

14And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.

15And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things arethe burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

16And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineththe 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.

17And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

18Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:

19But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden:

20But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.

21And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

22Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;

23From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

24This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:

25And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers' skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,

26And 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.

27At 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.

28This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

29As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers;

30From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.

31And 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,

32And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.

33This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

34And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers,

35From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:

36And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

37These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

38And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,

39From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,

40Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.

41These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD.

42And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,

43From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,

44Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.

45These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

46All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,

47From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,

48Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.

49According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.

1 And the Lord spake vnto Moses, and vnto Aaron, saying,

2Take the summe of the sonnes of Kohath, from among the sonnes of Leui, after their families, by the house of their fathers.

3From thirty yeeres old and vpward, euen vntil fifty yeres old, all that enter into the hoste, to doe the worke in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

4This shall bee the seruice of the sonnes of Kohath, in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, about the most Holy things.

5 And when the Campe setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sonnes, and they shall take downe the couering Uaile, and couer the Arke of Testimony with it:

6And shall put thereon the couering of badgers skinnes, & shall spread ouer it a cloth wholly of blew, and shall put in the staues thereof.

7And vpon the table of Shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blew, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoones, and the bowles, and couers to couer withall: and the continual bread shalbe thereon.

8And they shall spread vpon them a clothe of scarlet, and couer the same with a couering of badgers skinnes, and shall put in the staues thereof.

9And they shall take a cloth of blew, and couer the candlesticke of the light, and his lampes, and his tongs, and his snuffe dishes, and all the oyle vessels thereof, wherewith they minister vnto it.

10And they shall put it, and all the vessels thereof, within a couering of badgers skinnes, and shall put it vpon a barre.

11And vpon the golden Altar they shall spread a cloth of blew, and couer it with a couering of badgers skinnes, and shall put to the staues thereof.

12And they shall take all the instruments of ministery, wherewith they minister in the Sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blew, and couer them with a couering of badgers skinnes, and shall put them on a barre.

13And they shall take away the ashes from the Altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:

14And they shall put vpon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, euen the censers, the fleshhookes, and the shouels, and the basons, all the vessels of the Altar: and they shall spread vpon it a couering of badgers skinnes, and put to the staues of it.

15And when Aaron and his sonnes haue made an end of couering the Sanctuary, and all the vessels of the Sanctuary, as the campe is to set forward; after that, the sonnes of Kohath shall come to beare it: but they shal not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sonnes of Kohath in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

16 And to the office of Eleazar the sonne of Aaron the Priest, perteineth the oile for the light, and the sweet incense, and the dayly meat offering, and the anoynting oyle, and the ouersight of all the Tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the Sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

17 And the Lord spake vnto Moses, and vnto Aaron, saying,

18Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites, from among the Leuites.

19But thus doe vnto them, that they may liue, and not die: when they approche vnto the most Holy things, Aaron and his sonnes shall goe in, and appoint them euery one to his seruice, and to his burden.

20But they shall not goe in to see when the holy things are couered, lest they die.

21And the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,

22Take also the summe of the sonnes of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families:

23From thirtie yeeres old and vpward, vntill fiftie yeeres old shalt thou number them: all that enter in to performe the seruice, to doe the worke in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

24This is the seruice of the families of the Gershonites, to serue, and for burdens.

25And they shall beare the curtaines of the Tabernacle, and the Tabernacle of the Congregation; his couering, and the couering of the badgers skinnes that is aboue vpon it, and the hanging for the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation:

26And the hangings of the Court, and the hanging for the doore 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 seruice, and all that is made for them: so shall they serue.

27At the appointment of Aaron and his sonnes, shall be all the seruice of the sonnes of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their seruice: and yee shall appoint vnto them in charge all their burdens.

28This is the seruice of the families of the sonnes of Gershon, in the Tabernacle of the Congregation: and their charge shalbe vnder the hande of Ithamar the sonne of Aaron the Priest.

29 As for the sonnes of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers:

30From thirty yeeres old and vpward, euen vnto fiftie yeeres old shalt thou number them, euery one that entreth in to the seruice, to doe the worke of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

31And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their seruice, in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, the boards of the Tabernacle, and the barres thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof:

32And the pillars of the Court round about, and their sockets, and their pinnes, and their coards, with all their instruments, and with all their seruice: and by name yee shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.

33This is the seruice of the families of the sonnes of Merari, according to all their seruice in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, vnder the hand of Ithamar the sonne of Aaron the Priest.

34 And Moses and Aaron, and the chiefe of the Congregation, numbred the sonnes of the Kohathites, after their families, and after the house of their fathers;

35From thirtie yeeres old and vpward, euen vnto fiftie yeeres old, euery one that entreth in to the seruice, for the worke in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

36And those that were numbred of them by their families, were two thousand, seuen hundred and fiftie.

37These were they that were numbred of the families of the Kohathites; all that might doe seruice in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number, according to the commandement of the Lord, by the hand of Moses.

38And those that were numbred of the sonnes of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers;

39From thirtie yeeres old and vpward, euen vnto fiftie yeeres old, euery one that entreth in to the seruice, for the worke in the Tabernacle of the Congregation:

40Euen those that were numbred of them, throughout their families, by the houses of their fathers, were two thousand, and sixe hundred and thirtie.

41These are they that were numbred of the families of the sonnes of Gershon, of all that might doe seruice in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number, according to the commandement of the Lord.

42 And those that were numbred of the families of the sonnes of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers:

43From thirtie yeeres old and vpward, euen vnto fiftie yeeres old, euery one that entreth in to the seruice, for the worke in the Tabernacle of the Congregation:

44Euen those that were numbred of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.

45These be those that were numbred of the families of the sonnes of Merari, whom Moses & Aaron numbred according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

46All those that were numbred of the Leuites, whom Moses and Aaron, and the chiefe of Israel numbred, after their families, and after the house of their fathers:

47From thirty yeeres old and vpward, euen vnto fifty yeeres old, euery one that came to doe the seruice of the ministery, and the seruice of the burden in the Tabernacle of the Congregation:

48Euen those that were numbred of them, were eight thousand, and fiue hundred, and fourescore.

49According to the commandement of the Lord, they were numbred by the hand of Moses, euery one according to his seruice, and according to his burden: Thus were they numbred of him, as the Lord commanded Moses.

 

 

 

 

III == Num 8:24 ; 1st Chr 23:3 , 24 , 27

 

 

IV == Num 4:15 , 19

 

 

V == Ex 25:10 , 16 ; 26:31

 

VI == Ex 25:13

 

 

VII == Ex 25:23 , 29-30 ; Lev 24:6 , 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IX == Ex 25:31 , 37-38

 

 

 

 

 

 

XI == Ex 30:1 , 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XV == Num 3:31 ; 7:9 ; 10:21 ; Deut 31:9 ; 2nd Sam 6:6-7 , 13 ; 1st Chr 13:9-10 ; 15:2 , 15

 

 

 

 

XVI == Ex 25:6 ; 29:40 ; 30:23 , 34 ; Lev 24:2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XIX == Num 4:4

 

 

 

XX == Ex 19:21 ; 1st Sam 6:19

 

 

 

 

 

XXIII == Num 4:3

 

 

 

 

 

XXV == Num 3:25-26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXX == Num 4:3

 

 

 

XXXI == Ex 26:15 ; Num 3:36-37

 

 

 

XXXII == Ex 38:21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXXIV == Num 4:2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XLI == Num 4:22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XLV Num 4:29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XLVII == Num 4:3 , 23 , 30

 

 

 

 

 

XLIX == Num 4:1 , 15 , 21 , 24 , 31

 

 

1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:

2 "Among the Levites take a total of the Kohathites, by clans and ancestral houses, all the men of the Kohathites

3 between thirty and fifty years of age; these are to undertake obligatory tasks in the meeting tent.

4 "The service of the Kohathites in the meeting tent concerns the most sacred objects.

5 In breaking camp, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the screening curtain and cover the ark of the commandments with it.

6 Over these they shall put a cover of tahash skin, and on top of this spread an all-violet cloth. They shall then put the poles in place.

7 On the table of the Presence they shall spread a violet cloth and put on it the plates and cups, as well as the bowls and pitchers for libations; the established bread offering shall remain on the table.

8 Over these they shall spread a scarlet cloth and cover all this with tahash skin. They shall then put the poles in place.

9 They shall use a violet cloth to cover the lampstand with its lamps, trimming shears, and trays, as well as the various containers of oil from which it is supplied.

10 The lampstand with all its utensils they shall then enclose in a covering of tahash skin, and place on a litter.

11 Over the golden altar they shall spread a violet cloth, and cover this also with a covering of tahash skin. They shall then put the poles in place.

12 Taking the utensils of the sanctuary service, they shall wrap them all in violet cloth and cover them with tahash skin. They shall then place them on a litter.

13 After cleansing the altar of its ashes, they shall spread a purple cloth over it.

14 On this they shall put all the utensils with which it is served: the fire pans, forks, shovels, basins, and all the utensils of the altar. They shall then spread a covering of tahash skin over this, and put the poles in place.

15 "Only after Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sacred objects and all their utensils on breaking camp, shall the Kohathites enter to carry them. But they shall not touch the sacred objects; if they do they will die. These, then, are the objects in the meeting tent that the Kohathites shall carry.

16 "Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, shall be in charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the established cereal offering, and the anointing oil. He shall be in charge of the whole Dwelling with all the sacred objects and utensils that are in it."

17 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:

18 "Do not let the group of Kohathite clans perish from the body of the Levites.

19 That they may live and not die when they approach the most sacred objects, this is what you shall do for them: Aaron and his sons shall go in and assign to each of them his task and what he must carry;

20 but the Kohathites shall not go in to look upon the sacred objects, even for an instant; if they do, they will die."

21 The LORD said to Moses,

22 "Take a total among the Gershonites also, by ancestral houses and clans,

23 of all the men between thirty and fifty years of age; these are to undertake obligatory tasks in the meeting tent.

24 This is the task of the clans of the Gershonites, what they must do and what they must carry:

25 they shall carry the sheets of the Dwelling, the meeting tent with its covering and the outer wrapping of tahash skin, the curtain at the entrance of the meeting tent,

26 the hangings of the court, the curtain at the entrance of the court that encloses both the Dwelling and the altar, together with their ropes and all other objects necessary in their use. Whatever is to be done with these things shall be their task.

27 The service of the Gershonites shall be entirely under the direction of Aaron and his sons, with regard to what they must do and what they must carry; you shall make each man of them responsible for what he is to carry.

28 This, then, is the task of the Gershonites in the meeting tent; and they shall be under the supervision of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.

29 "Among the Merarites, too, you shall enroll by clans and ancestral houses

30 all their men between thirty and fifty years of age; these are to undertake obligatory tasks in the meeting tent.

31 This is what they shall be responsible for carrying, all the years of their service in the meeting tent: the boards of the Dwelling with its bars, columns and pedestals,

32 and the columns of the surrounding court with their pedestals, pegs and ropes. You shall designate for each man of them all the objects connected with his service, which he shall be responsible for carrying.

33 This, then, is the task of the clans of the Merarites during all their service in the meeting tent under the supervision of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest."

34 So Moses and Aaron and the princes of the community made a registration among the Kohathites, by clans and ancestral houses,

35 of all the men between thirty and fifty years of age. These were to undertake obligatory tasks in the meeting tent;

36 as registered by clans, they numbered two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

37 Such was the census of all the men of the Kohathite clans who were to serve in the meeting tent, which Moses took, together with Aaron, as the LORD bade him.

38 The registration was then made among the Gershonites, by clans and ancestral houses,

39 of all the men between thirty and fifty years of age. These were to undertake obligatory tasks in the meeting tent;

40 as registered by clans and ancestral houses, they numbered two thousand six hundred and thirty.

41 Such was the census of all the men of the Gershonite clans who were to serve in the meeting tent, which Moses took, together with Aaron, at the LORD'S bidding.

42 Then the registration was made among the Merarites, by clans and ancestral houses,

43 of all the men from thirty up to fifty years of age. These were to undertake obligatory tasks in the meeting tent;

44 as registered by clans, they numbered three thousand two hundred.

45 Such was the census of the men of the Merarite clans which Moses took, together with Aaron, as the LORD bade him.

46 Therefore, when Moses and Aaron and the Israelites princes had completed the registration among the Levites, by clans and ancestral houses,

47 of all the men between thirty and fifty years of age who were to undertake tasks of service or transport of the meeting tent,

48 the total number registered was eight thousand five hundred and eighty.

49 According to the LORD'S bidding to Moses, they gave them their individual assignments for service and for transport; so the LORD had commanded Moses.

v 1-4. This is introductory to what the service of the Levites will be, and with all of them, they begin service at age 30 and complete their service at age 50. However they began some apprentice tasks at age 25, and in David’s time, age 20, and those over 50 could do voluntary service. Service of the Kohathites was involved with the most holy things of the sanctuary.

 

v 5-15. Before Kohathites could begin their tasks, Aaron and his sons had a lot of work to do, and this without the help of Nadab and Abihu who died. The presence of the Lord had already moved on with the cloud to lead the way, so the very first thing they did was to take down the veil and cover the ark with it. Next it was covered with “badger’s skin”, which perhaps should be translated dolphin, or porpoise. Finally it was covered with a pure blue cloth and the staves put in place for carrying.

 

A blue cloth is spread over the table of showbread and all the utensils that pertain to it, including the bread, is placed on it before covering all with a scarlet cloth. Last a “badger” skin is placed over it all and the staves put in for carrying.
The lamp stand and all that pertains to it is covered with a blue cloth and the whole put in a big bag of “badger” skin and it is suspended from a pole for carrying.

The incense altar is covered with blue, then the “badger” skins and the staves inserted for carrying, but all other utensils of the sanctuary are covered with blue and suspended from a bar in a bag of “badger” skins like the lamp stand.
After the ashes are removed from the brazen altar it is covered with a purple cloth and the censers and all things pertaining to it are placed on that. It too is covered with “badger” skins and the staves inserted for transport. This would be very heavy so the staves would probably be larger and require more men to carry it. Not stated here, but the coals are carried in a fire pot so that the fire never goes out.

ONLY AFTER ALL IS COVERED CAN THE KOHATHITES COME IN TO CARRY, BECAUSE THEY WOULD OF BEEN STRUCK DEAD IF THEY CAME IN TO GAZE OR TOUCH THE HOLY THINGS.

 

v 16-20. In 3:32 God appointed Eleazar, the oldest remaining son of Aaron, to be chief over the leaders of Levi and the things of the sanctuary. His responsibility is clarified to see that oil for light, sweet incense, daily meal offerings and anointing oil are all provided along with his oversight of the tabernacle and everything in it. In view of this, Moses is to warn Aaron and his sons that when they are moving, they must appoint each of the Kohathites to their specific task or they might come in to gaze during or after the covering and be slain by the Lord.

 

v 21-28. This further defines the things which would be carried by the family of Gershon. Everything in connection with the tent covering and curtains was their job except the veil being carried on the ark by Kohathites. Ithamar, Aaron’s youngest son was responsible to see that each man was appointed his task to perform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

v 29-33. This relates to 3:33-37, with emphasis that everything related to the frame work was the responsibility of the Merarites, and items they were to carry were specified by name. Ithamar was also in charge of the Merarites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

v 34-49. Those Levites 30 years and upward able to serve were: Kohath - 2,750; Gershon - 2,630; Merari - 3,200; total - 8,580, each having been appointed to their own task. As in everything else, it was all done “as the Lord commanded Moses”.