Numbers 7:9

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.

But unto the sons {H1121} of Kohath {H6955} he gave {H5414} none {H3808}: because the service {H5656} of the sanctuary {H6944} belonging unto them was that they should bear {H5375} upon their shoulders {H3802}.

But to the descendants of K'hat he gave none, because their duties involved the holy articles, which they carried on their own shoulders.

But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.

But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the sanctuary belonged unto them; they bare it upon their shoulders.

Commentary

Numbers 7:9 details a specific instruction given to Moses regarding the distribution of wagons and oxen for transporting the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journeys. While the other Levite clans received these practical aids for carrying the Tabernacle's less sacred components, the sons of Kohath were explicitly excluded, highlighting the unique and profound nature of their service.

Context

This verse occurs within the narrative of the dedication of the Tabernacle and the offerings brought by the tribal leaders. Following the completion and consecration of the Tabernacle, Moses received offerings from the twelve princes of Israel, including six covered wagons and twelve oxen. These were then distributed among the Levites to aid in the transport of the Tabernacle's structure and coverings. The Gershonites received two wagons and four oxen, and the Merarites received four wagons and eight oxen (Numbers 7:7-8). However, the Kohathites, as stated in this verse, received none.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Reverence: The exclusion of the Kohathites from using wagons underscores the extreme holiness and sacredness of the items they were responsible for. These included the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Menorah, and the altars—the very heart of the Tabernacle, which represented God's presence among His people.
  • Divine Specification and Obedience: God's commands regarding the Tabernacle's construction and transport were meticulously detailed. This specific instruction for the Kohathites to bear the holy vessels on their shoulders, rather than by wagon, was not arbitrary but a direct divine mandate, emphasizing the importance of precise obedience in worship and service. This method ensured direct, personal, and reverent handling.
  • Distinct Roles and Responsibilities: The diverse duties among the Levite clans (Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites) illustrate God's orderly design for service. Each group had a vital, yet distinct, role in the maintenance and transport of the sanctuary, with the Kohathites' duty being the most sensitive due to the nature of the items they carried. You can learn more about their specific charge in Numbers 4:15.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bear upon their shoulders" (Hebrew: nasa' al-kateph) highlights a method of transport that signifies personal responsibility, reverence, and careful handling. It contrasts sharply with the use of wagons, implying that the items were too sacred to be carried by mere animal power or mechanical means. This method also speaks to the personal connection required in ministering before God's holy presence.

Practical Application

Numbers 7:9 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Sacredness of God's Presence: It reminds us that there are aspects of God's work and presence that demand our utmost reverence, care, and personal commitment. Some responsibilities cannot be delegated or made easier; they require direct, dedicated engagement.
  • Obedience over Convenience: The Kohathites' task was more arduous than using wagons, yet it was God's prescribed method. This teaches us the importance of obeying God's instructions precisely, even when they seem less efficient or more demanding. True worship and service prioritize divine will over human convenience.
  • Valuing Every Role: While the Kohathites had a unique and heavy burden, the Gershonites and Merarites also had essential roles. Every part of God's work, no matter how seemingly mundane or prominent, is vital and contributes to the overall purpose.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 4:4

    This [shall be] the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, [about] the most holy things:

  • Numbers 4:16

    And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest [pertaineth] the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, [and] the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein [is], in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

  • 2 Samuel 6:13

    And it was [so], that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

  • 1 Chronicles 15:13

    For because ye [did it] not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

  • Numbers 3:31

    And their charge [shall be] the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.

  • 1 Chronicles 15:3

    And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

  • 1 Chronicles 23:26

    And also unto the Levites; they shall no [more] carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.
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