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Numbers 4

49 verses

TL;DR

Numbers 4 outlines the Levitical duties of the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites in maintaining the tabernacle, specifies their ages, tasks, and numerical counts, and commands that they must not touch the most holy items.

Summary

In Numbers 4 Moses receives detailed instructions from God regarding the Levitical service in the tabernacle. The chapter divides the Levites into three families—Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—each assigned specific duties such as covering the ark, table of showbread, lampstand, altar, and other sacred items with cloths and badger skins. Only Aaron and his sons may enter the Most Holy Place, and the Levites are forbidden from touching the holy objects. The text also specifies age limits (30‑50) for those eligible to serve and enumerates the number of eligible Levites: 2,750 Kohathites, 2,630 Gershonites, and 3,200 Merarites, totalling 8,580. The roles of Eleazar and Ithamar, sons of Aaron, as overseers of the priests’ duties and of the Gershonite and Merarite families, are noted. Overall, the chapter emphasizes order, holiness, and the distinct responsibilities of each Levitical group.

Outline
  1. Division of Levitical duties and age limits
  2. Specific covering tasks for sacred objects
  3. Numerical census of the Levite families and oversight roles
Themes
Holiness and separation in worshipOrder and organization in religious serviceThe role of the Levites as caretakers of the sanctuary
Keywords
Levitical servicetabernacleholy thingsKohathitesGershonitesMeraritescoveringcensusAaron's sonsEleazarIthamar
People
MosesAaronEleazarIthamarKohathGershonMerari
Places
tabernacle of the congregationMost Holy Placealtargate of the court
Things
ark of the testimonycovering clothbadger skinsblue clothscarlet clothcandlestick of the lightlampstandgolden altarcensoredfleshhooksshovelsbasinsbarpurple clothash of the altar
Key Verses
  • Numbers 4:1: Introduces God's command to Moses
  • Numbers 4:15: Warns Levites not to touch holy things
  • Numbers 4:18-20: Clarifies the restriction on touching holy items
  • Numbers 4:34-48: Provides census figures for each Levitical family
Questions
  • Why does the law set the service age range between 30 and 50 years?
  • What theological significance does the prohibition against touching the most holy items carry?
  • How does the division of labor among the Levitical families promote the holiness of the tabernacle?
  • In what ways do Eleazar and Ithamar function as overseers for the priests and Levites?
  • What might the specific colors and materials of the covering cloths symbolize?
Sentiment

neutral
The chapter is primarily instructional and descriptive, lacking overt emotional content.