Numbers

Numbers 4

Numbers 4:1-20

Levi had three sons, Gershon, Kohath and Merari. Kohath appears to be second born but the more prominent, as far as visible role in scripture. Kohath was Aaron and Moses's grandfather. When preparing to move, Aaron and his sons, the priests, prepared things for transport by coving the ark of testimony, the table of showbread, lampstand and golden altar. When Aaron and sons finished preparing everything for transport, then the sons of Kohath could come and carry them. They were not to touch any holy thing by penalty of death. The lessons of Nadab and Abihu probably kept them from testing the voracity of this rule.

Eleazar was appointed to the transporting of the lamp oil, sweet incense, daily grain offering, anointing oil, oversight of all the tabernacle with its furnishings and all that is in it. Each one of them were assigned a responsibility. The tabernacle was very portable and each man knew what he was to carry and what his job was to build or take down the tabernacle. However, they were not to not in and even watch the covering of the holy things.

Numbers 4:21-28

The sons of Gershon were also counted and assigned to service. They were to carry the curtains and covering of the tabernacle, the screens and hangings of the court with all the associated hardware and cords. Aaron and sons would make the assignments. Ithamar, the son of Aaron was to oversee their work.

Numbers 4:29-33

The sons of Merari that were 30-50 years old were also counted and assigned to service. They were to carry the part of the tabernacle that served as the structure; the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, pillars and sockets. In addition, they carried the pillars, with their sockets, pegs and cords that made up the courtyard. Ithamar supervised this work.

Numbers 4:34-49

Moses and Aaron numbered the Levites as directed.

The sons of Koath numbered 2,750
The sons of Gershon numbered 2,630
The sons of Merari were 3,200

The total workers of Levites were 8,500. This is quite a work force and gives us an idea of how big an effort it was to move the tabernacle.