King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:
Complete Jewish Bible:
On the table of showbread they are to spread a blue cloth and place on it the dishes, incense pans, offering bowls and pitchers. The perpetual bread is to remain on the table.
Berean Standard Bible:
Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and place the plates and cups on it, along with the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread offering is to remain on it.
American Standard Version:
And upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls and the cups wherewith to pour out; and the continual bread shall be thereon:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And upon the table{H7979} of shewbread{H6440} they shall spread{H6566} a cloth{H899} of blue{H8504}, and put{H5414} thereon the dishes{H7086}, and the spoons{H3709}, and the bowls{H4518}, and covers{H7184} to cover withal{H5262}: and the continual{H8548} bread{H3899} shall be thereon:
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 24:5
- And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
Leviticus 24:8
- Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, [being taken] from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Exodus 37:10
- ¶ And he made the table [of] shittim wood: two cubits [was] the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof:
Exodus 37:16
- And he made the vessels which [were] upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, [of] pure gold.
Exodus 25:23
- ¶ Thou shalt also make a table [of] shittim wood: two cubits [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exodus 25:30
- And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 4:7
1. **Themes:**
- **Holiness and Order:** The verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sacred space for worship, with specific instructions on how to handle and arrange the sacred items used in the tabernacle, which reflect the Israelites' dedication to God.
- **Ritual Purity:** The detailed protocol for the table of shewbread underscores the need for ritual purity in the presence of the divine, a common theme throughout the Pentateuch.
- **Continual Worship:** The mention of "continual bread" symbolizes the ongoing relationship between God and the Israelites, with worship being a constant and regular part of their communal life.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Exodus Period:** Numbers 4:7 is set during the time of the Exodus, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their liberation from Egypt. This was a formative period for the Israelite religion and social structure.
- **The Tabernacle:** The instructions in this verse pertain to the portable sanctuary known as the Tabernacle, which served as the center of worship for the Israelites during their wilderness journeys. It was constructed according to divine instructions received by Moses on Mount Sinai.
- **Priestly Duties:** The verse is part of a larger set of instructions given to the Levitical clan of Kohathites, who were responsible for the care and transport of the sacred objects within the Tabernacle. The Kohathites were one of the three main Levitical families, each with distinct responsibilities in the service of the sanctuary.
In summary, Numbers 4:7 reflects the themes of sanctity, order, and the continuous nature of worship in the historical context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, with specific attention to the roles and duties of the priestly class in maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
*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: H7979
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֻׁלְחָן
Transliteration: shulchân
Pronunciation: shool-khawn'
Description: from שָׁלַח; a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal; table. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - 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: 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. - Strong's Number: H8504
There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּכֵלֶת
Transliteration: tᵉkêleth
Pronunciation: tek-ay'-leth
Description: probably for שְׁחֶלֶת; the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith; blue. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H7086
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קְעָרָה
Transliteration: qᵉʻârâh
Pronunciation: keh-aw-raw'
Description: probably from קָרַע; a bowl (as cut out hollow); charger, dish. - Strong's Number: H3709
There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כַּף
Transliteration: kaph
Pronunciation: kaf
Description: from כָּפַף; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power; branch, [phrase] foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon. - Strong's Number: H4518
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְנַקִּית
Transliteration: mᵉnaqqîyth
Pronunciation: men-ak-keeth'
Description: from נָקָה; a sacrificial basin (for holding blood); bowl. - Strong's Number: H7184
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָשָׂה
Transliteration: qâsâh
Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
Description: or קַשְׂוָה; from an unused root meaning to be round; a jug (from its shape); cover, cup. - Strong's Number: H5262
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶסֶךְ
Transliteration: neçek
Pronunciation: neh'-sek
Description: or נֵסֶךְ; from נָסַךְ; a libation; also a cast idol; cover, drink offering, molten image. - Strong's Number: H8548
There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּמִיד
Transliteration: tâmîyd
Pronunciation: taw-meed'
Description: from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the regular (daily) sacrifice; alway(-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, (n-)ever(-more), perpetual. - Strong's Number: H3899
There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֶחֶם
Transliteration: lechem
Pronunciation: lekh'-em
Description: from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals.