Bible Strands
Numbers 4:24
This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses relays divine regulations to the Levites as the Israelite camp prepares to relocate the Tabernacle. The text introduces specific labor assignments for the Gershonite clans during this transitional phase.
The words — עֲבֹדַת ('a.vo.Dat) = service and מַשָּׂא (ma.Sa') = carrying. The verse literally defines the assigned labor and transport duties for the Gershonite clans.
The thread — The Gershonites' transport duties are regulated alongside Aaron's sons' holy object coverage (Numbers 4:15) and are explicitly directed by the priestly leadership (Numbers 4:27). Their work ensures the safe handling of sacred items during camp movements (Numbers 4:19).
Why it lands — The verse establishes that communal worship requires organized labor, assigning specific physical tasks to designated groups under priestly oversight. It demands recognition that sacred space and movement are governed by precise, non-negotiable protocols.
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
This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
Cross-references
- 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.
- Numbers 4:19 In order that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry.
- Numbers 4:27 All the service of the Gershonites—all their transport duties and other work—is to be done at the direction of Aaron and his sons; you are to assign to them all that they are responsible to carry.
- Numbers 4:31 This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases,
- Numbers 4:47 from thirty to fifty years old who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting.
- Numbers 4:49 At the LORD’s command through Moses they were numbered, and each one was assigned his work and burden, as the LORD had commanded Moses.