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Numbers 10:21

in Numbers 10

Then the Kohathites set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the others did set up the tabernacle against their coming.

KJV

And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.

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This verse in Numbers 10

Commentary

4 notes on this verse

This site's exposition

Then the Kohathites set out, transporting the holy objects

The Kohathites carry the holy objects on their shoulders, since Numbers 7:9 gave them no wagons, and at 2 Samuel 6:3-7 that rule is set aside and a man dies. They walk six tribes behind the frame of the tent, and the last clause gives the reason: “the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival”. The house stands ready before its furniture arrives.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

And the Kohathites set forward,....

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

And they (that is, says the margin, the Gershonites and Merarites) did set up the tabernacle against they came; and perhaps it is expressed thus generally because, if there was occasion, not those Levites only, but the other Israelites that were in the first squadron, lent a hand to the tabernacle to hasten the rearing of it up, even before they set up their own tents.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

The marching order is described (Nu 2:1-34); but, as the vast horde is represented here in actual migration, let us notice the extraordinary care that was taken for ensuring the safe conveyance of the holy things.

The words behind it

9 Hebrew words

Every Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

  • וְנָסְעוּ֙and they set out

    venaseuH5265 →146 times

  • הַקְּהָתִ֔יםthe Kohathites

    hakehatimH6956 →15 times

  • נֹשְׂאֵ֖י[the] bearers of

    noseeiH5375 →656 times

  • הַמִּקְדָּ֑שׁthe sanctuary

    hamikdashH4720 →75 times

  • וְהֵקִ֥ימוּand people set up

    vehekimuH6965 →628 times

  • אֶת־<obj.>

    ʾet-H853 →10935 times

  • הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ןthe tabernacle

    hamishkanH4908 →139 times

  • עַד־until

    ʾad-H5704 →1261 times

  • בֹּאָֽם׃ סcame they

    boamH935 →2568 times

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

14 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Numbers 10:17Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.5 works1 Chronicles 23:24These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD.5 worksNumbers 2:17In the middle of the camps, the Tent of Meeting is to travel with the camp of the Levites. They are to set out in the order they encamped, each in his own place under his standard.4 worksNumbers 4:15When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.4 worksNumbers 4:4–16This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.3 worksNumbers 7:9But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.3 works
The other 8 cross-references, with their words ▾
Numbers 3:27–32From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites.2 worksNumbers 4:20But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.”2 works1 Chronicles 15:12–15And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.2 worksNumbers 1:51Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death.2 works1 Chronicles 15:2Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”2 worksExodus 26:30So you are to set up the tabernacle according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.2 worksNumbers 1:50Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.2 worksNumbers 3:8They shall take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting and fulfill obligations for the Israelites by attending to the service of the tabernacle.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Numbers 10:17

    Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.

    it leads to

    • Numbers 7:6–8

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

    • Numbers 1:51

      Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must…

  • Through

    Numbers 7:9

    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.

    it leads to

    • Numbers 3:31

      Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.

    • 1 Chronicles 15:13

      It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”

    • 2 Samuel 6:13

      When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.

    • Numbers 4:4–16

      This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.

  • Through

    Numbers 2:17

    In the middle of the camps, the Tent of Meeting is to travel with the camp of the Levites. They are to set out in the order they encamped, each in his own place…

    it leads to

    • Numbers 10:17

      Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.

    • Numbers 1:50–53

      Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp…

Where this verse is studied

About Numbers

The Brazen Serpent, Anthony van Dyck, 1618 to 1620. Public domain.
The Brazen Serpent, Anthony van Dyck, 1618 to 1620. Public domain.
Numbers: the study guide →Read Numbers 10 →

This page draws on Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Keil and Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: The Pentateuch and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Read on in Numbers 10 →