Numbers 4:31

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,

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,

"Their service for the tent of meeting will be to carry the frames, crossbars, posts and sockets of the tabernacle;

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,

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,

Commentary

Context

Numbers 4:31 is part of a detailed section (Numbers 4:1-33) outlining the specific duties of the three main Levitical families—the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—in relation to the Tabernacle. While the Kohathites were responsible for the most holy furnishings (like the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, and the altars), and the Gershonites cared for the coverings and curtains, this verse specifies the heavy structural components assigned to the Merarites. The book of Numbers details the organization and duties of the Israelite camp, particularly focusing on the Levites and their sacred responsibilities as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness. This precise division of labor ensured that the portable sanctuary, the "tabernacle of the congregation" (or Tent of Meeting), could be efficiently disassembled, transported, and reassembled according to God's divine instructions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Specificity: The verse highlights God's meticulous attention to detail in orchestrating the service of the Tabernacle. Every component, no matter how large or seemingly mundane, had its designated handlers. This meticulous detail underscores God's demand for precise adherence to His divine blueprint.
  • Responsibility and Stewardship: The "charge of their burden" emphasizes the weighty responsibility entrusted to the Merarites. They were not merely laborers but stewards of sacred items. The 'burden' (Hebrew: massa) was not just a physical load but represented a sacred responsibility and stewardship.
  • The Portability of God's Presence: The need to transport these heavy items underscores the unique nature of the Tabernacle as a mobile dwelling place for God's presence among His people during their wilderness journey.

Linguistic Insights

The term "burden" (Hebrew: massa) signifies a load, a lifting, or a responsibility. In this context, it clearly refers to the heavy physical items that the Merarites were tasked with carrying. The items listed—"boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof"—were the fundamental, weighty structural elements. The "boards" (qerashim) were the upright wooden frames, typically overlaid with gold, forming the walls of the Tabernacle. The "bars" (beriachim) were used to hold these boards together. The "pillars" (ammudim) supported the veil and the entrance, and the "sockets" (adanim) were the heavy silver or bronze bases into which the boards and pillars were set.

Practical Application

Numbers 4:31 offers valuable insights for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that all service for God, no matter how seemingly ordinary or physically demanding, is significant and valued by Him. Just as the Merarites had a vital role in maintaining the physical structure of the Tabernacle, believers today are called to contribute to the spiritual house of God, the church, each with unique gifts and functions. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of order and faithfulness in fulfilling our responsibilities within the body of Christ. God is a God of order, and He expects His people to serve Him with diligence and precision, understanding that even the "heavy lifting" contributes to the greater purpose of His kingdom.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 3:36 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.

  • Exodus 26:15 (2 votes)

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

  • Numbers 7:8 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.