Numbers 4:21

SERVICE OF THE SONS OF GERSHON, Num_4:21-28.

The special service assigned to this great family of Levites was the transportation of the cloth and skin coverings of the tabernacle, with its numerous hangings, cords, and curtains. There are no minute directions respecting the packing of these, because they were deemed less sacred than the furniture. They were taken down and folded up by the Levites, (Num_1:51,) under the superintendence of Ithamar, the son of Aaron. The Gershonites were allowed two covered wagons, drawn by four oxen. Num_7:3; Num_7:7.

SERVICE OF THE SONS OF MERARI, Num_4:29-33.

The framework of the movable temple still remains to be transported. The family of Merari are charged with the boards, posts, pins, bars, and cordage pertaining to the support of the structure. They were allowed the assistance of four covered wagons drawn by eight oxen. Num_7:3; Num_7:8. On the march, this family, as well as the Gershonites, were under the command of Ithamar the priest. His column was to precede the Kohathites with the sacred furniture, in order to pitch the tabernacle and have it in readiness for them. Num_10:17; Num_10:21.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The service of the Gershonites is introduced in Num 4:21-23 in the same manner as that of the Kohathites in Num 4:1-3; and in Num 4:24-26 it is described in accordance with the brief notice and explanation already given in Num 3:24-26.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

4:21-28 The men of the Gershonite clan (see 3:21-26) were responsible for general service and carrying loads (4:24). This involved handling the curtains and coverings, ropes, and related equipment that was less central to Israel’s worship. Their duties focused on the Tabernacle in general instead of on the sacred objects of the inner sanctuary that were the responsibility of Kohath’s clan.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and was to be done regularly. 1. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery of the tabernacle, the curtains, and hangings, and the coverings of badgers' skins, Num 4:22-26. These they were to take down when the cloud removed, and the ark and the rest of the holy things were carried away, to pack up and bring with them, and then to set up again, where the cloud rested. Aaron and his sons allotted to them their respective charge: "You shall take care of such a curtain, and you of such a hanging, that every one may know his work, and there may be no confusion," Num 4:27. Ithamar particularly was to take the oversight of them, Num 4:28. 2. The Merarites were charged with the heavy carriage, the boards and bars, the pillars and sockets, the pins and cords, and these were delivered to them by name, Num 4:31, Num 4:32. An inventory was given them of every particular, that it might be forthcoming, and nothing to seek, when the tabernacle was to be set up again. Though these seemed of less importance than the other things pertaining to the sanctuary, yet there was this care taken of them, to teach us with the greatest exactness to preserve pure and entire all divine institutions, and to take care that nothing be lost. It also intimates the care God takes of his church, and every member of it; the good Shepherd calls his own sheep by name, Joh 10:3. Here were thousands of men employed about these services, though a much less number would have served for the bearing of those burdens; but it was requisite that the tabernacle should be taken down, and set up, with great expedition, and many hands would make quick work, especially when every one knew his work. They had tents of their own to take care of, and to take along with them, but the young men under thirty, and the old men above fifty, might serve for them; nor is there any mention of them, for God's house must always be preferred before our own. Their care was preposterous who built and ceiled their own houses while God's house lay waste, Hag 1:4, Hag 1:9. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the tabernacle (Co2 5:1), and the putting of it off, Pe2 1:14. The immortal soul, like the most holy things, is first covered and taken away, carried by angels, unseen, under the inspection of the Lord Jesus, our Eleazar. Care is also taken of the body - the skin and flesh, which are as the curtains, the bones and sinews which are as the bars and pillars; none of these shall be lost; commandment is given concerning the bones, a covenant made with the dust; these are in safe custody, and shall all be produced in the great day, when this tabernacle shall be set up again, and these vile bodies made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

21–28. The Gershonites and their duties.

They carry (in wagons Num_7:7) all the hangings and coverings of which the Dwelling and the court are composed.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

From thirty years old and upward, until fifty years old,

shalt thou number them,.... Take an account how many there are of that age, and so fit for service (a); See Gill on Num 4:3,

to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation; as the rest of the Levites; see Num 4:3;

(a) "ad militandum militiam", Montanus, Drusius.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

The Work of the Gershonites

v. 21. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

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

v. 23. from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shall thou number them, when they, according to God’s order, were fit for service; all that enter in to perform the service, literally, "to war the warfare," for their service was a branch of warfare for God, to do the work in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

v. 24. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens, in carrying a part of the paraphernalia of the Sanctuary;

v. 25. and 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,

v. 26. and 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. Cf Num 3:24-26.

v. 27. At the appointment of Aaron and his sons, literally, "at his mouth," at his directions, 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 of all their burdens. Both as porters on the way and in their work of assisting in the Sanctuary the Levites were strictly under the command of the priests, as directed by God.

v. 28. This 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.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

of the descendants of Gershon

This refers only to men. AT: "of the male descendants of Gershon" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Gershon

See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.

thirty years old to fifty years old

"30 years old to 50 years old" (See: Numbers)

join the company to serve in the tent of meeting

The word "company" refers to the rest of the people working in the tent of meeting. See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 4:3.

translationWords

census

family

servant

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.