Bible Strands
Numbers 4:8
And they shall spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover them with fine leather, and insert the poles.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses relays divine instructions to Aaron and his sons regarding the transport of the tabernacle furnishings. This command occurs during the wilderness journey as the Levites prepare to dismantle and carry the sanctuary.
The words — The text highlights פָרְשׂוּ (par.shu), meaning "they will spread out," and תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי (to.la.at sha.ni), meaning "scarlet stuff." These terms specify the exact materials and actions required for the covering.
The thread — The covering procedure recurs in Numbers 4:6 for the ark, Numbers 4:8 for the table, and Numbers 4:11 for the gold altar. Each passage details a layered covering sequence before the poles are inserted.
Why it lands — The text commands the Levites to apply specific layers in a fixed order before moving the poles. Readers must note the exact sequence without adding or subtracting components.
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 they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.
Cross-references
- Numbers 4:6 They are to place over this a covering of fine leather, spread a solid blue cloth over it, and insert its poles.
- Numbers 4:9 They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, together with its lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, as well as the jars of oil with which to supply it.
- Numbers 4:11 Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles.