Numbers 7:9

Num 7:9 But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them [was that] they should bear upon their shoulders.

Ver. 9. Bear upon their shoulders.] Therefore when David carted the ark, as the Philistines had done before, God was angry, and made a breach upon Uzza, because they sought him not in due order. {1Ch 15:13}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Num 7:9. Because of the sanctuary, &c. — The Seventy translate it more literally, Because they have the service of the holy things, (that is, of the ark, Num 4:5; Num 4:15.) They shall carry it upon their shoulders — This way of carrying the ark was both for greater dignity, on account of the superior holiness and value of it, and its contents and appurtenances, and that the structure of it might not be discomposed, as it might have been by the shaking of a wagon.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7:9 A later Israelite attempt to transport the Ark by cart ended in tragedy (1 Sam 6:8, 11; 2 Sam 6:3, 6-7).

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

The holy thing of the Sanctuary must be carried upon their shoulders and not drawn with oxen, Num. 4:15.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 9. Unto the sons of Kohath he gave none] Because they had the charge of the ark, table, candlestick, altars, c., Nu 4:5-15, which were to be carried upon their shoulders for those sacred things must not be drawn by beasts.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

9. the sanctuary] the holy things. See on Num_4:15.

upon their shoulders] In early days this form of honour was not always paid to the ark; see 2Sa_6:3.

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.

But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none,.... Being all disposed of to the sons of Gershon and Merari: the reason of which follows:

because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders; as the ark with the mercy seat, and cherubim, the shewbread table, the candlestick, and the two altars; though in later times we find the ark was sometimes not only carried by the priests, but upon a cart, Jos 3:17.

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

Serve in removing the most sacred vessels of the sanctuary, chap. iv. 4. --- Shoulders, out of respect. Yet the ark itself was placed on a cart, (2 Kings vi. 3.; Haydock.) improperly. (Du Hamel)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Because of the greater worth and holiness of the things which they carried. See Num 4:6,8,10,12,14; 2Sa 6:6,13.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

9. The sons of Kohath received no vehicles, because the sacred furniture might not be drawn by beasts. Only with the greatest precaution could it be approached and borne by its appointed Levitical guardians. Num_4:4-20, notes.

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

Upon their shoulders. For which purpose poles or bearing-frames had been provided, as implying more honour anti care than the use of carriages. The death of Uzzah seems to have been the melancholy consequence of neglecting this rule. (2Sa_6:3, 2Sa_6:7, as compared with 1Ch_15:13)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Upon their shoulders - Because of the greater worth and holiness of the things which they carried.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

none of those things

This refers to the carts and oxen.

Kohath

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

theirs would be the work

"their work would be"

the things that belong to Yahweh

You can make explicit the implicit meaning of what belongs to Yahweh. AT: "the things that Yahweh reserved for the tabernacle" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

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

כי עבדת הקדש עלהם [BUT TO THE SONS OF KOHATH HE GAVE NONE (NO WAGGONS)] BECAUSE THE עבדת הקדש BELONGS UNTO THEM — (not the service of the Sanctuary devolved upon them, but the service in connection with) carrying the most holy objects: the ark, the table, etc. was incumbent upon them, therefore בכתף ישאו they should carry upon their shoulders (not in wagons).

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.

Because the sacred work was upon them. The sons of Kehos had the work of the Mikdash and not the work of the Tent. By the Divine word, the wagons would be for the work of the Tent of Meeting, which was carried by the sons of Gershon and Merori. The sons of Kehos, on the other hand, carried nothing from the structure of the Tent of Meeting. They carried the Holy Vessels that were inside, which are collectively called the Mikdash, as it says, “The Kehos family, the carriers of the Mikdash, traveled”.

Sforno on the Tanakh — English translation: “Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.