Numbers 3:36

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

And under the custody {H6486} and charge {H4931} of the sons {H1121} of Merari {H4847} shall be the boards {H7175} of the tabernacle {H4908}, and the bars {H1280} thereof, and the pillars {H5982} thereof, and the sockets {H134} thereof, and all the vessels {H3627} thereof, and all that serveth {H5656} thereto,

Complete Jewish Bible

The M'rari clans were assigned responsibility for the frames of the tabernacle, along with its crossbars, posts, sockets and fittings, together with their maintenance;

Berean Standard Bible

The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items,

American Standard Version

And the appointed 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 instruments thereof, and all the service thereof,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 3:36 meticulously outlines the specific responsibilities entrusted to the sons of Merari, one of the three Levitical clans. Their crucial assignment involved the transportation and meticulous care of the Tabernacle's heaviest and most foundational structural components, including its boards, bars, pillars, and sockets, along with all associated vessels and apparatus. This verse underscores the divine order and precision required for the maintenance and movement of God's dwelling place among His people in the wilderness, highlighting the vital, albeit physically demanding, role of each part in the sacred service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapter 3 details the divine census and organizational structure of the Levites, who were set apart from the other tribes for sacred service to the Lord and the priesthood. Following the general enumeration of the Levites by their families (Numbers 3:14-20), the chapter proceeds to delineate the specific duties assigned to each of the three major Levitical clans: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Numbers 3:21-26 describes the Gershonites' charge over the lighter elements of the Tabernacle, such as the coverings, curtains, and ropes. Numbers 3:27-32 then outlines the Kohathites' highly sensitive responsibility for the holy vessels, the Ark of the Covenant, and other sacred furnishings, which were to be carried on their shoulders. Numbers 3:33-37, which includes our focal verse, then specifies the Merarites' role, completing the comprehensive division of labor for the Tabernacle's transport and care. This systematic assignment emphasizes God's demand for order and precision in all matters pertaining to His worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During Israel's forty-year wilderness journey, the Tabernacle served as the central hub of their religious and communal life, symbolizing God's presence among His people. As a portable sanctuary, its regular dismantling, transportation, and reassembly were essential. The Levites, unlike the other Israelite tribes who were numbered for military service, were consecrated for this sacred task, demonstrating a unique form of tribal service (see [Numbers 1:47-53](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1:47-53 - The Levites Set Apart")). The components assigned to the Merarites—the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets—were exceptionally heavy and cumbersome. For instance, the silver sockets alone, which formed the foundation for the Tabernacle's walls, weighed a talent each (approximately 75 pounds), and there were 100 of them (see [Exodus 38:27](/exodus/38-27 "Exodus 38:27 - The Silver Sockets")). This required significant physical strength and careful coordination, illustrating that all forms of labor, even the most strenuous, were consecrated to God's service within the community. This division of labor ensured that the sacred dwelling of God was always handled with the utmost care and respect, reflecting its profound significance to the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Custody and Charge (Hebrew, _mishmeret u'massa'_):** This phrase encapsulates the dual nature of the Merarites' responsibility. _Mishmeret_ (מִשְׁמֶרֶת) implies a vigilant guardianship, a watchful care, and a duty of preservation, suggesting that these components were not merely items to be moved but sacred objects to be protected. _Massa'_ (מַשָּׂא) refers to a burden or a load, specifically one that is carried. Together, they convey the idea of a weighty responsibility that involves both careful oversight and the physical exertion of bearing heavy loads. This highlights that their service was not just about brute strength but also about diligent stewardship over God's holy things.
* **Sockets (Hebrew, _'adanim'_):** The _'adanim_ (אֲדָנִים) were the foundational bases, typically made of bronze or silver, into which the wooden boards and pillars of the Tabernacle were fitted. As mentioned in [Exodus 38:27](/exodus/38-27 "Exodus 38:27 - The Silver Sockets"), the silver sockets alone weighed 100 talents, making them incredibly heavy. Their function was critical for the stability and integrity of the entire structure. The Merarites' charge over these elements underscores their role in ensuring the Tabernacle's firm foundation and structural stability, a physically demanding task essential for the sanctuary's proper function.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [under] the custody and charge of the sons of Merari [shall be]":** This opening clause immediately identifies the specific Levitical clan responsible for the subsequent list of items. It emphasizes that their role is divinely appointed and involves both the careful guardianship ("custody") and the physical burden ("charge") of transporting these vital components. This was not a casual task but a sacred trust.
* **"the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof":** This enumeration precisely details the primary structural elements of the Tabernacle assigned to the Merarites. The "boards" (planks forming the walls), "bars" (used to hold the boards together), "pillars" (supporting the veil and entrance hangings), and "sockets" (heavy bases for the boards and pillars) collectively represent the core framework of the sanctuary. These were the heaviest and most unwieldy components, requiring significant strength and coordinated effort to manage during the wilderness journeys.
* **"and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto":** This concluding phrase broadens the Merarites' responsibility beyond the main structural elements to include any associated "vessels" (implements or utensils) and "all that serveth thereto" (anything else necessary for the proper handling, transport, or maintenance of these heavy components). This indicates a comprehensive charge, ensuring that every piece, however small or seemingly insignificant, was accounted for and properly cared for under their supervision.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Enumeration** to provide a precise and exhaustive list of the items under the Merarites' care, underscoring the meticulous detail of God's instructions for the Tabernacle's management. This detailed listing also functions as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting the sheer volume and weight of the components assigned to this particular clan. Furthermore, the act of "custody and charge" over these heavy, foundational elements serves as **Symbolism**. The physical burden of carrying the Tabernacle's framework can be seen as a symbol of the spiritual burdens and responsibilities inherent in serving God and maintaining the integrity of His dwelling place among His people. The solidity of the "boards" and "sockets" also symbolizes the foundational nature of God's presence and the stability required for His worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 3:36 powerfully illustrates the divine principle of ordered service and delegated responsibility within God's covenant community. It underscores that every task, regardless of its apparent glamour or physical demand, is essential for the proper functioning and sanctity of God's dwelling place. The Merarites' physically arduous role demonstrates that all forms of labor, when consecrated to the Lord, hold immense value and contribute to the collective spiritual enterprise. This detailed assignment reflects God's character of order and His expectation that His people serve Him with diligence and precision, recognizing that even the "heavy lifting" is vital for the community's spiritual health and the maintenance of His presence.

* [1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1_corinthians/12-4 "Descriptive Title")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11 "Descriptive Title")
* [Nehemiah 4:17](/nehemiah/4-17 "Descriptive Title")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 3:36 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that the body of Christ, like the Tabernacle, requires diverse gifts and dedicated service from all its members. Just as the Merarites had a specific, physically demanding, yet utterly essential role in maintaining the Tabernacle's structure, so too does every individual in the church have a unique and indispensable contribution. This verse challenges us to embrace our God-given responsibilities with diligence and humility, recognizing that no task is too mundane or too burdensome when it contributes to the flourishing of God's spiritual house. It calls us to value and affirm those who perform the "behind-the-scenes" or less glamorous but foundational work, understanding that their efforts are just as vital as those in more visible roles. Ultimately, it encourages a spirit of faithful stewardship over the gifts, resources, and callings God has entrusted to us, all for the building up of His kingdom and the manifestation of His presence in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "heavy lifting" or less visible tasks has God called you to within your community or church, and how do you embrace them with diligence?**
* **How does understanding the Merarites' role help you appreciate the diverse contributions of others in the body of Christ?**
* **In what ways can you better steward the "foundational" aspects of your faith or ministry, ensuring stability and integrity?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Merarites assigned the heaviest parts of the Tabernacle?**

Answer: The assignment of the heaviest structural components (boards, bars, pillars, sockets) to the Merarites was part of God's meticulously organized division of labor among the Levitical clans. This specific charge likely reflected their numerical strength (they were the largest clan, [Numbers 3:34](/numbers/3-34 "Numbers 3:34 - Census of the Merarites")), their physical capacity, and God's sovereign design for the Tabernacle's transport. It underscored that every clan had a distinct, indispensable role, and that strength and endurance were just as vital to sacred service as precision and care. It also taught the entire community about the importance of all types of contributions, from the most delicate holy vessels to the most cumbersome structural elements, all equally necessary for God's dwelling place.

**What is the significance of the "sockets" (אֲדָנִים) in the Merarites' charge?**

Answer: The "sockets" were the heavy, foundational bases (made of silver or bronze) into which the Tabernacle's wooden boards and pillars were inserted, providing stability and support for the entire structure. Their significance lies in their critical role as the Tabernacle's literal foundation. By assigning these weighty and essential components to the Merarites, God emphasized their responsibility for the stability and integrity of His dwelling place. The sheer weight of these sockets (e.g., 100 silver talents, [Exodus 38:27](/exodus/38-27 "Exodus 38:27 - The Silver Sockets")) also highlighted the immense physical burden and careful handling required, reinforcing the sacredness of even the most seemingly mundane parts of God's sanctuary. They represented the underlying strength and support upon which the entire sacred structure rested.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 3:36, with its focus on the Merarites bearing the heavy, foundational components of the Tabernacle, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus, who is the ultimate burden-bearer and the true foundation of God's spiritual dwelling. Just as the Merarites carried the physical weight of the sanctuary's structure, Christ bore the immeasurably heavier burden of humanity's sin and the curse of the law, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant who "has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Griefs")). He is the true "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Furthermore, Jesus is the very "chief cornerstone" upon which the entire spiritual temple, the church, is built ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Cornerstone of the Church")), providing the ultimate stability and foundation that the physical sockets of the Tabernacle could only foreshadow. His invitation, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")), echoes the physical burdens of the Merarites, offering spiritual relief from the weight of sin and the law. In Christ, the meticulous, burdensome service of the Old Covenant finds its perfect and complete fulfillment, as He not only carries our burdens but also establishes the eternal dwelling place of God among humanity through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction and Resurrection")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 26:15

¶ And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle [of] shittim wood standing up.

Exodus 26:29

And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings [of] gold [for] places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.

Exodus 26:37

And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars [of] shittim [wood], and overlay them with gold, [and] their hooks [shall be of] gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

Exodus 26:32

And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim [wood] overlaid with gold: their hooks [shall be of] gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

Exodus 36:36

And he made thereunto four pillars [of] shittim [wood], and overlaid them with gold: their hooks [were of] gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.

Exodus 35:11

The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets,

Exodus 27:9

¶ And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward [there shall be] hangings for the court [of] fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side: