King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
Complete Jewish Bible:
After removing the greasy ashes from the altar, they are to spread a purple cloth over it
Berean Standard Bible:
Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it,
American Standard Version:
And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And they shall take away the ashes{H1878} from the altar{H4196}, and spread{H6566} a purple{H713} cloth{H899} thereon:
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 6:12
- And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.
Leviticus 6:13
- The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
Numbers 4:11
- And 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:
Numbers 4:12
- And 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:
Exodus 39:41
- The cloths of service to do service in the holy [place], and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.
Numbers 4:6
- And 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.
Numbers 4:9
- And 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:
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Commentary for Numbers 4:13
1. Themes:
- **Purity and Maintenance:** The instruction to remove ashes and cover the altar with a purple cloth emphasizes the importance of maintaining ritual purity and sanctity within the Tabernacle. The ashes, representing the remnants of the sacrifices, are to be carefully managed, signifying the reverence for sacred spaces and rituals.
- **Holy Precautions:** The use of a purple cloth, a color often associated with royalty and divinity, indicates the sanctity of the altar and the meticulous care taken to preserve its holiness.
- **Attention to Detail:** The specificity of the commandment reflects the detailed and systematic approach to worship in the Israelite religion, where every action is prescribed and significant.
2. Historical Context:
- **The Tabernacle:** Numbers 4:13 is part of the instructions given to the Levites regarding the transportation of the Tabernacle, which was the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness before they entered the Promised Land.
- **Levitical Duties:** The Levites were responsible for the care of the Tabernacle and its contents. This verse is part of a larger section outlining the specific duties assigned to the Kohathites, a subgroup of the Levites, who were tasked with the care of the most sacred items.
- **Exodus and Wilderness Journey:** These instructions would have been given during the time of Moses, after the construction of the Tabernacle as described in the book of Exodus, and before or during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness towards Canaan. The detailed procedures were meant to ensure that the sanctuary, as the dwelling place of God among His people, was treated with utmost respect and care.
- **Cultic Practice:** The verse reflects the intricate cultic practices of the ancient Israelites, which were central to their religious life and identity. These practices were designed to create a sense of order and holiness in the community's relationship with the divine.
*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: H1878
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּשֵׁן
Transliteration: dâshên
Pronunciation: daw-shane'
Description: a primitive root; also denominatively (from דֶּשֶׁן); to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices); accept, anoint, take away the (receive) ashes (from), make (wax) fat. - Strong's Number: H4196
There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
Transliteration: mizbêach
Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar. - Strong's Number: H6566
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרַשׂ
Transliteration: pâras
Pronunciation: paw-ras'
Description: a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.; break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out). - Strong's Number: H713
There are 465 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְגָּמָן
Transliteration: ʼargâmân
Pronunciation: ar-gaw-mawn'
Description: of foreign origin; purple (the color or the dyed stuff); purple. - Strong's Number: H899
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֶּגֶד
Transliteration: beged
Pronunciation: behg'-ed
Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.