Numbers 4:32

and the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and everything related to their use. You shall assign by name the items that they are responsible to carry.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses directs the Merarite clans on their specific transport duties for the Tabernacle’s courtyard structures. This instruction occurs within the wilderness census and Levitical assignment narrative, immediately following the listing of the Merarites’ primary frame-carrying duties.

The words — עַמּוּדֵי הַחָצֵר סָבִיב (‘amudei ha-chatsar siviv) identifies the pillars surrounding the courtyard, while אֲדָנֵיהֶם (‘adanehem) and יְתֵדֹתָם (yete-dotam) specify their bases and tent pegs. כָּל־כְּלֵיהֶם (kol-kelei-hem) covers all associated articles and ropes required for their assembly and use.

The thread — This structural inventory parallels the tabernacle records in Exodus 38:21 and the construction blueprint in Exodus 25:9. The specific materials for these posts and bases are cataloged in Exodus 38:17.

Why it lands — The text commands the naming and assignment of every courtyard component to ensure accurate transport and reassembly. It requires readers to acknowledge that sacred service operates through precise logistical accountability rather than vague devotion.

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

וְעַמּוּדֵי֩ve./'a.mu.Deiand/ [the] pillars of הֶחָצֵ֨רhe./cha.Tzerthe/ courtyard סָבִ֜יבsa.Vivall around וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֗םve./'ad.nei./Hemand/ bases/ their וִֽיתֵדֹתָם֙vi./te.do.Ta/mand/ tent pegs/ their וּמֵ֣יתְרֵיהֶ֔םu./Meit.rei./Hemand/ ropes/ their לְכָל־le./kholto/ all כְּלֵיהֶ֔םke.lei./Hemarticles/ their וּלְכֹ֖לu./le./Kholand/ to/ all עֲבֹדָתָ֑ם'a.vo.da.Ta/mservice/ their וּבְשֵׁמֹ֣תu./ve./she.Motand/ by/ names תִּפְקְד֔וּtif.ke.Duyou will assign אֶת־'et-<obj.>כְּלֵ֖יke.Lei[the] equipment<s> of מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶתmish.Me.ret[the] duty of מַשָּׂאָֽם׃ma.sa.'A/mcarrying/ their

King James Version

And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.

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 25:9 You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.
Exodus 38:17 The bases for the posts were bronze, the hooks and bands were silver, and the plating for the tops of the posts was silver. So all the posts of the courtyard were banded with silver.
Numbers 3:8 They 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.
Numbers 7:1 On the day Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings, along with the altar and all its utensils.
1 Chronicles 9:29 Others were put in charge of the furnishings and other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the fine flour, wine, oil, frankincense, and spices.