Numbers 7:6

KJV

And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} took {H3947} the wagons {H5699} and the oxen {H1241}, and gave {H5414} them unto the Levites {H3881}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Moshe took the wagons and oxen and gave them to the L'vi'im.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites.

American Standard Version

And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 7:6 records Moses' immediate and obedient distribution of the wagons and oxen, provided by the tribal leaders as dedication offerings, to the Levites. This act underscores God's meticulous provision and precise organization for the logistical demands of transporting the Tabernacle, ensuring the orderly progression of Israel's wilderness journey and the reverent maintenance of His dwelling place among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Numbers chapter 7, which meticulously details the dedication offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel for the newly consecrated Tabernacle. The preceding verses ([Numbers 7:1-5](/numbers/7-1 "Numbers 7:1-5 - Dedication Offerings of the Leaders")) establish that six covered wagons and twelve oxen were presented to Moses, explicitly stated as gifts from the tribal leaders for the service of the Tabernacle. The Lord then directly instructs Moses in [Numbers 7:5](/numbers/7-5 "Numbers 7:5 - God's Instruction to Moses") to distribute these resources to the Levites according to their specific transport duties. This immediate provision and its subsequent distribution in verse 6 highlight a seamless transition from the Tabernacle's completion and erection (as detailed in [Exodus 40:33](/exodus/40-33 "Exodus 40:33 - The Completion of the Tabernacle")) to the practicalities of its nomadic existence. The careful allocation foreshadows the specific responsibilities outlined for the Levite clans in [Numbers 4](/numbers/4 "Numbers 4 - Duties of the Levites").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the wilderness journey of the Israelites, a nomadic existence that necessitated the frequent disassembly, transport, and reassembly of the Tabernacle, the central dwelling place of God's presence. In a pre-industrial society, wagons and oxen were indispensable for moving heavy and bulky items. The Tabernacle, with its curtains, frames, bars, pillars, and sockets, represented a significant logistical challenge. The provision of these specific resources was not arbitrary; it was a divine response to a practical need, demonstrating God's foresight in equipping His chosen servants for their vital duties. This meticulous planning ensured that the sacred space could be moved efficiently and reverently, maintaining the divine order and presence at the heart of the Israelite camp. The act of giving these resources to the Levites specifically highlights their unique and essential role in the maintenance and mobility of the Tabernacle, distinguishing their responsibilities from those of the priests or other tribes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Took (Hebrew, _laqach'_):** This verb signifies receiving or taking possession. In this context, it emphasizes Moses' immediate and obedient reception of the wagons and oxen from the tribal leaders, acting as the divinely appointed intermediary. It implies an active acceptance of the resources given for a specific purpose, rather than a passive observation.
* **Wagons (Hebrew, _'agalot'_):** These were covered carts, likely two-wheeled, designed for transporting goods. Their mention here is highly practical, indicating the need for heavy-duty transport for the Tabernacle's larger, less portable components. The specific number (six) and their allocation reflect a precise calculation of the logistical requirements for the Tabernacle's various parts.
* **Levites (Hebrew, _levi'im'_):** This refers to the tribe set apart for service to the Tabernacle. While the Kohathites were responsible for carrying the most sacred articles on their shoulders ([Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15 - Duties of the Kohathites")), the Gershonites and Merarites were tasked with the heavier and bulkier elements. The distribution of these wagons and oxen directly correlates with the duties of the Gershonites (two wagons for curtains and coverings, [Numbers 4:24-28](/numbers/4-24 "Numbers 4:24-28 - Duties of the Gershonites")) and Merarites (four wagons for frames, bars, pillars, and sockets, [Numbers 4:31-32](/numbers/4-31 "Numbers 4:31-32 - Duties of the Merarites")), underscoring their specific, physically demanding roles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses took the wagons and the oxen":** This clause describes Moses' direct action in receiving the donated resources. It highlights his role as the faithful steward and administrator of God's provisions for His people. Moses did not hesitate but immediately accepted the gifts, demonstrating his readiness to execute the divine command given in the preceding verse. This act is one of obedient reception, preparing for the subsequent distribution.
* **"and gave them unto the Levites":** This second clause details the immediate and precise distribution of the received resources. Moses' act of "giving" is not arbitrary but is the direct fulfillment of God's instruction in [Numbers 7:5](/numbers/7-5 "Numbers 7:5 - God's Command to Moses"). It signifies the orderly allocation of resources to the specific group divinely appointed for the task of Tabernacle transport. This distribution was crucial for the practical functioning of the Israelite camp, ensuring that the Tabernacle, the very center of their worship and identity, could be moved efficiently and reverently as they journeyed.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Narrative Simplicity** and **Directness**, presenting a straightforward account of Moses' actions without elaborate embellishment. This unadorned style emphasizes the immediate obedience and the practical nature of the event. The items themselves, "wagons" and "oxen," function as **Metonymy** for the logistical support and physical labor required for the Tabernacle's transport; they represent the means by which a complex and vital task is accomplished. Furthermore, the meticulous provision and distribution of these specific tools can be seen as a form of **Divine Foresight**, subtly illustrating God's detailed planning and care for every aspect of His people's journey and worship, even down to the mundane yet essential details of transportation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 7:6 powerfully illustrates the themes of divine provision, meticulous organization, and the principle of stewardship within God's economy. God, having commanded the construction of the Tabernacle and its central role in Israel's life, also meticulously provides the practical means for its mobility and maintenance. This act underscores that God not only calls His people to service but also equips them with the necessary resources, whether material or spiritual, to fulfill their assigned tasks. Moses' immediate obedience in distributing these resources to the Levites highlights the importance of faithful stewardship and the orderly delegation of responsibilities within the community of faith, ensuring that every part contributes to the greater purpose of God's glory.

* [1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Manifestation of the Spirit for the Common Good")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for Equipping the Saints")
* [Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 7:6, though a seemingly simple logistical detail, offers profound principles for believers today. It reminds us that our God is a God of order who meticulously plans and provides for His work, equipping His servants for every task. Just as the Levites were given specific tools for their unique ministry, so too does God equip every believer with distinct gifts, talents, and resources to fulfill their role within the body of Christ. This verse calls us to recognize and faithfully utilize the provisions God has entrusted to us, understanding that our abilities and resources are not for our own glory but for the advancement of His Kingdom. It encourages us to embrace our specific callings, no matter how seemingly mundane, knowing that every act of service, when done in obedience and according to divine order, contributes to the flourishing of God's people and the manifestation of His presence in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I see God providing specific "wagons and oxen" (resources, gifts, opportunities) for the work He has called me to do?**
* **Am I faithfully stewarding the resources and gifts God has given me, or am I hoarding them or neglecting their use?**
* **How does understanding God's meticulous planning for the Tabernacle's transport encourage me in my own service within the church or community?**
* **Do I recognize and appreciate the diverse roles and contributions of others within the body of Christ, just as the Levites had distinct, yet equally vital, responsibilities?**

### FAQ

**Why were wagons and oxen needed if the Tabernacle was meant to be carried by the Levites?**

Answer: While the Kohathite clan of the Levites was specifically tasked with carrying the most sacred articles of the Tabernacle (such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Altars) on their shoulders, other Levite clans, the Gershonites and Merarites, were responsible for the heavier and bulkier components. The Gershonites carried the curtains, coverings, and hangings, while the Merarites were responsible for the frames, bars, pillars, and sockets—items that were too large and heavy to be carried by hand. [Numbers 4:24-33](/numbers/4-24 "Numbers 4:24-33 - Duties of Gershonites and Merarites") details these specific duties. The wagons and oxen provided in [Numbers 7:6](/numbers/7-6 "Numbers 7:6 - Moses Distributes Wagons and Oxen") were essential logistical support for these clans, enabling the efficient and reverent transport of the Tabernacle's structural elements during Israel's nomadic journey.

**What was the significance of the Levites receiving these specific resources?**

Answer: The Levites were divinely appointed to serve the Tabernacle, and their duties were meticulously defined. The allocation of wagons and oxen to them underscored their unique and indispensable role in the physical maintenance and mobility of God's dwelling place among His people. It highlighted God's precise understanding of their practical needs and His commitment to equipping His servants for their specific tasks. This provision ensured that the Tabernacle, the center of Israel's worship and identity, could be moved in an orderly and respectful manner, maintaining the sanctity and functionality of the divine presence throughout their wilderness travels. This also distinguished their practical, physical service from the priestly duties of Aaron's sons.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision of wagons and oxen for the Tabernacle's transport in Numbers 7:6, ensuring God's presence could move with His people, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true and ultimate "dwelling place" of God among humanity, the very Word made flesh who "tabernacled among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Just as God provided the means for the Old Testament Tabernacle to be mobile, so in Christ, God's presence is no longer confined to a physical structure but is universally accessible through Him. Furthermore, the equipping of the Levites for their service foreshadows how Christ, through His finished work on the cross and His ascension, has fully equipped His New Testament people, the Church, for her mission. By sending the Holy Spirit ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), Christ empowers believers with spiritual gifts and resources to carry out His work in the world, making His presence known and His message proclaimed. We, as living stones ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")), are now the mobile temple of God, equipped by Christ to bear witness to Him and extend His Kingdom, not with physical wagons and oxen, but with the spiritual provisions of grace, truth, and power.

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.