King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the descendants of Gershon and the descendants of M'rari set out, carrying the tabernacle.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.
American Standard Version:
And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who bare the tabernacle, set forward.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the tabernacle{H4908} was taken down{H3381}; and the sons{H1121} of Gershon{H1648} and the sons{H1121} of Merari{H4847} set forward{H5265}, bearing{H5375} the tabernacle{H4908}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 1:51
- And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Numbers 7:6
- And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.
Numbers 7:8
- 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.
2 Peter 1:14
- Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Numbers 3:25
- And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation [shall be] the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
Numbers 3:26
- And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which [is] by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.
Hebrews 12:28
- Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 10:17
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Organization:** The verse reflects the structured approach to the transportation of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following divine instructions in every detail of religious life.
- **Responsibility and Service:** It highlights the roles assigned to the Levitical clans of Gershon and Merari, illustrating the concept of service and duty in the worship of God.
- **Portability of Worship:** The Tabernacle, as a portable sanctuary, symbolizes that God's presence can be with His people wherever they go, and that worship can be maintained even during times of transition.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Exodus and Wilderness Journey:** The verse is set during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The events described occur after the Tabernacle's completion, which was a central place of worship for the Israelites in the wilderness.
- **Levitical Duties:** The Levites, and specifically the sons of Gershon and Merari, were assigned the task of transporting the Tabernacle's components. This was part of the broader division of labor among the Levitical families, with the Kohathites being responsible for the most holy items.
- **Preparation for Travel:** Numbers 10:17 describes the process of disassembling the Tabernacle in preparation for moving when the cloud covering the Tabernacle lifted, signaling that God was leading the Israelites to a new location.
In summary, Numbers 10:17 encapsulates the meticulous and communal nature of the Israelites' religious practices during a formative period of their history, as they transitioned from a newly freed people to a nation with a distinct form of worship and a special relationship with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4908
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁכָּן
Transliteration: mishkân
Pronunciation: mish-kawn'
Description: from שָׁכַן; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls); dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. - Strong's Number: H3381
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרַד
Transliteration: yârad
Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H1648
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֵּרְשׁוֹן
Transliteration: Gêrᵉshôwn
Pronunciation: gay-resh-one'
Description: or גֵּרְשׁוֹם; from גָּרַשׁ; a refugee; Gereshon or Gereshom, an Israelite; Gershon, Gershom. - Strong's Number: H4847
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְרָרִי
Transliteration: Mᵉrârîy
Pronunciation: mer-aw-ree'
Description: from מָרַר; bitter; Merari, an Israelite; Merari. See also מְרָרִי. - Strong's Number: H5265
There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָסַע
Transliteration: nâçaʻ
Pronunciation: naw-sah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney; cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way. - Strong's Number: H5375
There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשָׂא
Transliteration: nâsâʼ
Pronunciation: naw-saw'
Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.