King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And this [is] the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Their service for the tent of meeting will be to carry the frames, crossbars, posts and sockets of the tabernacle;
Berean Standard Bible:
This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases,
American Standard Version:
And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And this is the charge{H4931} of their burden{H4853}, according to all their service{H5656} in the tabernacle{H168} of the congregation{H4150}; the boards{H7175} of the tabernacle{H4908}, and the bars{H1280} thereof, and the pillars{H5982} thereof, and sockets{H134} thereof,
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 3:36
- And [under] the custody and charge of the sons of Merari [shall be] the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,
Numbers 3:37
- And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.
Exodus 26:15
- ¶ And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle [of] shittim wood standing up.
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.
Numbers 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.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 4:31
Numbers 4:31 is a part of the instructions given by Moses, under the guidance of God, to the Levites regarding their duties in transporting the Tabernacle during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness. The verse specifically outlines the responsibilities of a division of the Levite family known as the Kohathites, who were tasked with the care of the most sacred items within the Tabernacle.
In the historical context, the Tabernacle was the portable dwelling place for God among the Israelites as they wandered in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. It was a central place of worship and the focal point of religious ceremonies for the ancient Hebrews. The Kohathites, as part of the tribe of Levi, were set apart by God to handle the holy items of the sanctuary, a role that carried significant responsibility and honor.
The verse details the specific components of the Tabernacle that the Kohathites were to carry when the camp moved. These included the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets, which were integral structural elements of the Tabernacle. The boards were the main framework of the sanctuary, the bars held the boards in place, the pillars supported the curtains and hangings, and the sockets served as bases for the boards and pillars.
The themes present in this verse include divine order, the sanctity of worship, and the importance of following God's instructions precisely. It also reflects the division of labor among the Levites, with each group having distinct roles in the worship and maintenance of the Tabernacle. This distribution of tasks emphasized the communal nature of Israelite worship and the necessity of each tribe and family playing their part in the religious life of the nation.
In summary, Numbers 4:31 provides a snapshot of the detailed and sacred duties assigned to the Kohathite division of the Levites concerning the transportation of the Tabernacle's framework. It underscores the meticulous care taken in handling the sanctuary's components, reflecting the religious reverence and organizational structure that characterized the Israelite worship during their wilderness journey.
*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: H4931
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁמֶרֶת
Transliteration: mishmereth
Pronunciation: mish-mer'-reth
Description: feminine of מִשְׁמָר; watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e. (abstractly) duty or (objectively) a usage or party; charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. - Strong's Number: H4853
There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַשָּׂא
Transliteration: massâʼ
Pronunciation: mas-saw'
Description: from נָשָׂא; a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly adoom, especially singing; mental, desire; burden, carry away, prophecy, [idiom] they set, song, tribute. - Strong's Number: H5656
There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבֹדָה
Transliteration: ʻăbôdâh
Pronunciation: ab-o-daw'
Description: or עֲבוֹדָה; from עָבַד; work of any kind; act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. - Strong's Number: H168
There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹהֶל
Transliteration: ʼôhel
Pronunciation: o'-hel
Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. - Strong's Number: H4150
There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹעֵד
Transliteration: môwʻêd
Pronunciation: mo-ade'
Description: or מֹעֵד; or (feminine) מוֹעָדָה; (2 Chronicles 8:13), from יָעַד; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally ayear; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand); appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed). - Strong's Number: H7175
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶרֶשׁ
Transliteration: qeresh
Pronunciation: keh'-resh
Description: from an unused root meaning to split off; a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of aship; bench, board. - 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: H1280
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּרִיחַ
Transliteration: bᵉrîyach
Pronunciation: ber-ee'-akh
Description: from בָּרַח; a bolt; bar, fugitive. - Strong's Number: H5982
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַמּוּד
Transliteration: ʻammûwd
Pronunciation: am-mood'
Description: or עַמֻּד; from עָמַד; a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform; [idiom] apiece, pillar. - Strong's Number: H134
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶדֶן
Transliteration: ʼeden
Pronunciation: eh'-den
Description: from the same as אָדוֹן (in the sense of strength); a basis (of a building, a column, etc.); foundation, socket.