Bible Strands
Numbers 1:50
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 around it.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God instructs Moses to exclude the Levites from the general Israelite census and assign them to manage the tabernacle. This command occurs during the wilderness census at Sinai, immediately preceding the regulations for the tabernacle's transport and the prohibition against unauthorized access.
The words — The Hebrew הַפְקֵד (haf.Ked) translates literally as "appoint" or "place in charge," directing Moses to assign the Levites over the mishkan ha'edut (tabernacle of the Testimony). This verb establishes their official administrative and custodial authority over the sacred structure and its contents.
The thread — This appointment aligns with the Levites' earlier inventory duties recorded in Exodus 38:21 and anticipates the detailed transport protocols outlined in Numbers 4:15. The designation also connects to the tablets of the Testimony given in Exodus 31:18.
Why it lands — The text commands the Levites to physically carry, maintain, and encamp around the tabernacle and all its articles. Readers must acknowledge that the sacred space is managed by designated personnel under strict divine orders, with any outsider approaching it facing death.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
Cross-references
- Exodus 38:21 This is the inventory for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the Testimony, as recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
- Exodus 31:18 When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
- Numbers 4:15 When 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.
- Exodus 32:26 So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.
- Numbers 3:23 The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle,
- Numbers 4:25 They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting with the covering of fine leather over it, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,
- Numbers 20:11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.
- 1 Chronicles 23:1 When David was old and full of years, he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel.
- Nehemiah 13:10 I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields.
- Nehemiah 13:22 Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.