Bible Strands
Numbers 4:5
Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses conveys Yahweh’s transport protocol to Aaron and his sons. The instruction activates specifically when the Israelite camp prepares to depart its current location.
The words — The Hebrew פָּרֹ֣כֶת (parokhet) identifies the specific curtain assigned to this task, and בִּ/נְסֹ֣עַ (bi-nsoa) defines the exact trigger: when the camp sets out.
The thread — The curtain’s role as a separating barrier appears in Hebrews 9:3, while its subsequent removal is recorded in Matthew 27:51.
Why it lands — The text mandates a fixed sequence of removal and covering before any movement begins. Readers must apply this requirement to recognize that sacred duties demand precise, timed obedience rather than improvisation.
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
And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:51 At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.
- Hebrews 9:3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,
- Exodus 25:10 And they are to construct an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.
- Exodus 26:31 Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
- Exodus 36:35 Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
- Exodus 37:1 Bezalel went on to construct the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.
- Exodus 40:3 Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil.
- Numbers 2:16 The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Reuben is 151,450; they shall set out second.
- Numbers 3:27 From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites.
- 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.