King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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:
Complete Jewish Bible:
They are to take a blue cloth and cover the menorah for the light, its lamps, its tongs, its trays and the jars used to add oil to it.
Berean Standard Bible:
They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, together with its lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, as well as the jars of oil with which to supply it.
American Standard Version:
And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and its lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And they shall take{H3947} a cloth{H899} of blue{H8504}, and cover{H3680} the candlestick{H4501} of the light{H3974}, and his lamps{H5216}, and his tongs{H4457}, and his snuffdishes{H4289}, and all the oil{H8081} vessels{H3627} thereof, wherewith they minister{H8334} unto it:
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 25:31
- ¶ And thou shalt make a candlestick [of] pure gold: [of] beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
Exodus 25:39
- [Of] a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
Exodus 37:17
- And he made the candlestick [of] pure gold: [of] beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:
Exodus 37:24
- [Of] a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.
Psalms 119:105
- ¶ NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Revelation 1:20
- The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Revelation 2:1
- ¶ Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 4:9
1. **Themes**:
- **Holiness and Care for Sacred Objects**: The instruction to cover the candlestick (menorah) with a blue cloth emphasizes the sanctity of the objects used in the tabernacle worship. Blue is often associated with the divine in the Hebrew Bible, suggesting a connection to God's presence.
- **Purity and Protection**: The covering would protect the sacred objects from dust and other impurities, maintaining the purity required for holy use.
- **Order and Organization**: The detailed instructions for handling the tabernacle's furniture and utensils reflect the importance of order in worship and the meticulous care taken by the priests in their duties.
2. **Historical Context**:
- **The Exodus Era**: Numbers 4:9 is part of the instructions given to the Israelites shortly after the construction of the Tabernacle, which was the portable sanctuary used during the wilderness wanderings after the Exodus from Egypt.
- **Priestly Duties**: The book of Numbers details the organization and operation of the Israelite community as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This verse is part of a larger section outlining the specific responsibilities of the Kohathites, one of the Levite families charged with the care and transport of the Tabernacle's sacred items.
- **Preparation for Travel**: The context of this verse is the preparation for the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. When the cloud signaling God's presence lifted from the Tabernacle, the people would pack up and move. The sacred objects had to be properly cared for during these transitions to prevent defilement.
In summary, Numbers 4:9 reflects the themes of holiness, purity, and meticulous care for sacred objects within the historical context of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land, emphasizing the importance of proper handling of the Tabernacle's holy items by the priestly class.
*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: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - 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: H3680
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּסָה
Transliteration: kâçâh
Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה. - Strong's Number: H4501
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְנוֹרָה
Transliteration: mᵉnôwrâh
Pronunciation: men-o-raw'
Description: or מְנֹרָה; feminine of מָנוֹר (in the original sense of נִיר); a chandelier; candlestick. - Strong's Number: H3974
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָאוֹר
Transliteration: mâʼôwr
Pronunciation: maw-ore'
Description: or מָאֹר; also (in plural) feminine מְאוֹרָה; or מְאֹרָה; from אוֹר; properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element); figuratively, brightness, i.e.cheerfulness; specifically, a chandelier; bright, light. - Strong's Number: H5216
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נִיר
Transliteration: nîyr
Pronunciation: neer
Description: or נִר; also נֵיר; or נֵר; or (feminine) נֵרָה; from a primitive root (see נִיר; נוּר) properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively); candle, lamp, light. - Strong's Number: H4457
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלְקָח
Transliteration: melqâch
Pronunciation: mel-kawkh'
Description: or מַלְקָח; from לָקַח; (only in dual) tweezers; snuffers, tongs. - Strong's Number: H4289
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַחְתָּה
Transliteration: machtâh
Pronunciation: makh-taw'
Description: the same as מְחִתָּה in the sense of removal; a pan for live coals; censer, firepan, snuffdish. - Strong's Number: H8081
There are 176 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁמֶן
Transliteration: shemen
Pronunciation: sheh'-men
Description: from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine. - Strong's Number: H3627
There are 276 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּלִי
Transliteration: kᵉlîy
Pronunciation: kel-ee'
Description: from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. - Strong's Number: H8334
There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁרַת
Transliteration: shârath
Pronunciation: shaw-rath'
Description: a primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to; minister (unto), (do) serve(-ant, -ice, -itor), wait on.