Numbers 3:26

And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which [is] by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.

And the hangings {H7050} of the court {H2691}, and the curtain {H4539} for the door {H6607} of the court {H2691}, which is by the tabernacle {H4908}, and by the altar {H4196} round about {H5439}, and the cords {H4340} of it for all the service {H5656} thereof.

the curtains surrounding the courtyard, the screen for the entrance of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and the altar, all the fixtures and ropes for these items, and their maintenance.

the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, and the cords—all the service for these items.

and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.

Commentary

Numbers 3:26 details specific responsibilities assigned to the Merarite clan, one of the three Levitical families, concerning the transportation and care of the Tabernacle components during Israel's wilderness journey. This verse highlights their charge over the more structural and heavier elements of the holy dwelling.

Context of Numbers 3:26

The Book of Numbers meticulously records the organization and movements of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, particularly focusing on their forty years in the wilderness. Chapter 3 outlines the census and specific duties of the Levites, the tribe chosen by God to serve in the Tabernacle in place of the firstborn of Israel. The Levites were divided into three main clans: the Gershonites, the Kohathites, and the Merarites, each with distinct responsibilities for dismantling, transporting, and reassembling the Tabernacle.

While the Kohathites were responsible for the most holy items (like the Ark of the Covenant, though they were not to touch them directly), and the Gershonites for the coverings and curtains of the Tabernacle itself, Numbers 3:26 specifies the Merarites' role. Their duties primarily involved the more substantial, structural elements of the Tabernacle complex. For a broader overview of their specific charge, see also Numbers 4:31.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Order and Precision: The detailed instructions for each Levitical family underscore God's meticulous nature and His desire for order in worship and service. Every part of the Tabernacle, no matter how seemingly minor, was essential and had its designated caretakers. This reflects a broader biblical principle that God is not the author of confusion but of peace and order, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:40.
  • Dedicated Service to God: The Levites were set apart for the sacred task of maintaining God's dwelling place among His people. Their work, though often laborious, was an act of worship and obedience, facilitating Israel's communion with God.
  • The Tabernacle's Significance: The items mentioned, like the court hangings and door curtain, formed the physical boundaries of the sacred space, separating the holy from the common. Their careful handling emphasized the sanctity of God's presence.
  • Faithfulness in All Tasks: Even the "cords" were important. This verse highlights that all components, even the less glamorous ones, were crucial for the proper functioning and stability of the Tabernacle.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Hangings of the court" (Hebrew: qela'im): These were the linen curtains that formed the perimeter fence of the Tabernacle court, creating an enclosed sacred space. They are described in detail in Exodus 27:9.
  • "Curtain for the door of the court" (Hebrew: masakh): This refers to the ornate screen or veil that served as the entrance gate to the outer court of the Tabernacle, distinct from the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Its description is found in Exodus 27:16.
  • "Cords of it" (Hebrew: meytar): These were essential ropes used to secure the various elements of the Tabernacle and its court, anchoring the hangings and the structure firmly to the ground, ensuring stability against wind and movement.

Practical Application

Numbers 3:26, though specific to the ancient Tabernacle service, offers timeless principles for believers today:

  • Value in Every Task: Just as every cord and hanging was vital to the Tabernacle, so every role and task within the body of Christ is significant. God values faithfulness in the small, seemingly mundane duties as much as the prominent ones.
  • Stewardship and Diligence: We are called to be diligent stewards of what God has entrusted to us, whether it's our spiritual gifts, our time, our resources, or our bodies, which are called temples of the Holy Spirit.
  • Orderliness in Worship and Life: The precise instructions for the Tabernacle serve as a reminder that God appreciates order, reverence, and intentionality in our worship and daily lives.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 35:18 (4 votes)

    The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,

  • Exodus 27:9 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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:

  • Exodus 27:16 (2 votes)

    And for the gate of the court [shall be] an hanging of twenty cubits, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: [and] their pillars [shall be] four, and their sockets four.

  • Exodus 38:9 (2 votes)

    ¶ And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court [were of] fine twined linen, an hundred cubits:

  • Exodus 38:16 (2 votes)

    All the hangings of the court round about [were] of fine twined linen.