Numbers 4 Study Notes

4:1-4 The most holy objects were the ark of the covenant, the bronze laver, the seven-tiered menorah, and other implements of the tabernacle.

4:3 Levites at this time served from age thirty to fifty (see also vv. 23,30,35,39,43,47). See note at 8:23-26 on Levitical service at age twenty-five. David evidently lowered the entrance age to twenty (1Ch 23:26; cp. Ezr 3:8).

4:5-6 When the pillar of cloud moved out from one campsite to the next, the Aaronic priests would dismantle the tabernacle and prepare each part for the journey. The screening curtain of scarlet, blue, and purple that separated the holy of holies from the outer court was used in the covering of the ark of the testimony. It was then wrapped in fine leather for protection during the transport from one camp to the next. A final covering of royal purple cloth completed the preparation process.

4:7-8 The twelve loaves, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, were replaced weekly on the Sabbath and were symbolic of God’s presence and constant provision for his people (Ex 24:5-9).

4:9-16 Gordon Wenham explains that the blue and purple cloth was typical of royal tents and the clothes worn by nobles; “The use of the same colours here reminded Israel that the tabernacle was the house of their divine king and that the ark was his throne.”

4:17-20 Violation of the Holiness Code, even for the Kohathites, was punishable by death. The priests were to carefully supervise the Kohathites lest they violate their instructions and be wiped out.

4:21-28 See Ex 26:1-14,36-37 for a detailed description of the tabernacle curtains and other items.

4:29-33 The service of the Merarites involved the dismantling of the tabernacle and tent framework after the Gershonites had removed the curtains and coverings.

4:34-49 This section summarizes the census of the three clans of the Levites.