Numbers 4:5

And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:

And when the camp {H4264} setteth forward {H5265}, Aaron {H175} shall come {H935}, and his sons {H1121}, and they shall take down {H3381} the covering {H4539} vail {H6532}, and cover {H3680} the ark {H727} of testimony {H5715} with it:

when the time comes to break camp, Aharon is to go in with his sons, take down the curtain which serves as a screen, and cover the ark of the testimony with it.

Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.

when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall go in, and his sons, and they shall take down the veil of the screen, and cover the ark of the testimony with it,

Commentary

Commentary on Numbers 4:5 (KJV)

Numbers 4:5 details a crucial step in the meticulous process of transporting the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings during Israel's wilderness journey. This verse specifically highlights the role of Aaron, the High Priest, and his sons in preparing the most holy object, the Ark of the Testimony, for travel.

Context

Chapter 4 of Numbers outlines the specific duties assigned to the three families of the Levites—the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—regarding the dismantling, carrying, and reassembling of the Tabernacle. Before any Levite could touch the holy articles, the priests (Aaron and his sons) had to first cover them. This verse focuses on the initial priestly action concerning the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred item, which resided in the Most Holy Place. The phrase "when the camp setteth forward" indicates this instruction was for every time the Israelites broke camp and moved to a new location.

Key Themes

  • Divine Holiness and Awe: The elaborate procedures for handling the Ark emphasize the profound holiness of God and the reverence required in His presence. The Ark was not to be casually seen or touched by anyone, even the Levites, without proper priestly preparation.
  • Priestly Mediation: Aaron and his sons, as consecrated priests, were the only ones permitted to enter the Most Holy Place and interact directly with the Ark. This underscores their unique mediatorial role between God and the people of Israel.
  • Order and Protection: God prescribed a precise order for moving the Tabernacle elements to ensure both the sanctity of the items and the safety of the people. The coverings served as a barrier, protecting the Kohathites from death by inadvertently gazing upon or touching the uncovered holy objects (Numbers 4:15).

Linguistic Insights

The "covering vail" (KJV) refers to the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:33). In Hebrew, this is the parokhet (פָּרֹכֶת), which literally means "veil" or "curtain." Its use here to cover the Ark during transport is significant, as it was the very barrier that normally separated God's immediate presence from the rest of the Tabernacle. This act symbolically brings the sacred separation of the Most Holy Place outside for the journey, maintaining its mystique and inaccessibility.

Practical Application

This verse offers valuable lessons for believers today. It reminds us of God's immense holiness and the necessity of approaching Him with reverence and according to His terms. While we no longer have a physical Ark or Tabernacle, the principle of respecting God's presence and His commands remains. Through Jesus Christ, our High Priest, the veil has been torn (Matthew 27:51), granting us direct access to God. Yet, this access should not diminish our awe but rather deepen our gratitude for His grace and the profound privilege of drawing near to Him. It also highlights the importance of order and intentionality in our spiritual lives and corporate worship.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 27:51 (3 votes)

    And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

  • Hebrews 9:3 (3 votes)

    And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

  • Exodus 26:31 (2 votes)

    ¶ And thou shalt make a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:

  • Exodus 26:33 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy [place] and the most holy.

  • Exodus 36:35 (2 votes)

    ¶ And he made a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: [with] cherubims made he it of cunning work.

  • Exodus 25:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ And they shall make an ark [of] shittim wood: two cubits and a half [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

  • Exodus 25:22 (2 votes)

    And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.