Numbers 7:9

But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses distributes transport carts and oxen to the Levitical clans for moving the tabernacle, but withholds them from the Kohathites. This occurs during the camp's departure preparations, immediately following the allocation of supplies to the Merarites under Ithamar's direction.

The words — The Hebrew לֹא נָתַן (lo' naTan) literally means "he did not give," and עֲבֹדַת הַקֹּדֶשׁ (avodat haKodesh) translates to "the service of the holy [things]." These terms ground the material restriction in the specific nature of the Kohathites' duty.

The thread — The restriction aligns with the logistical framework in Numbers 3:31 and Numbers 4:4, which list the Kohathites' responsibility for the sanctuary's most holy articles. The practice of bearing sacred objects on shoulders reappears in 2 Samuel 6:13 during the ark's movement.

Why it lands — The text requires direct physical bearing of the holy objects rather than permitting wheeled transport for this specific clan. This establishes a clear boundary between standard logistical support and the direct handling of consecrated items.

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

וְלִבְנֵ֥יve./li/v.Neiand/ to/ [the] descendants of קְהָ֖תke.HatKohath לֹ֣אlo'not נָתָ֑ןna.Tanhe gave כִּֽי־ki-for עֲבֹדַ֤ת'a.vo.Dat[the] service of הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ha./Ko.deshthe/ holy thing[s]עֲלֵהֶ֔ם'a.le./Hem[was] on/ them בַּכָּתֵ֖ףba./ka.Tefon the/ shoulder יִשָּֽׂאוּ׃yi.Sa.'uthey carried

King James Version

But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.

Cross-references

Numbers 3:31 Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.
Numbers 4:4 This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.
2 Samuel 6:13 When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
1 Chronicles 15:13 It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”
2 Samuel 6:6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled.
1 Chronicles 15:3 And David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.
1 Chronicles 23:26 So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.”