Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 4:15
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
15. they shall not touch the sanctuary ] Better the holy things, as in R.V. marg. The Heb. word is strictly a singular abstract substantive, ‘the sacredness,’ which is here employed to denote the whole collection of sacred objects.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The sons of Kohath shall bear it, to wit upon their shoulders, not upon carts or waggons, as appears from Num 7:9, the neglect of which order did provoke the Lord, 2Sa 6:6,7; 1Ch 13:7; 15:12, &c. Afterward the priests themselves, being multiplied, carried these things, as appears from Deu 31:9; Jos 3:6; 8:33; 1Sa 4:4, though the Levites also were not excluded, 2Ch 5:5. They shall not to any holy thing; immediately, or before they be covered. Lest they die, as some did for that sin. See 1Sa 6:19; 2Sa 6:6,7.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. the sons of Kohath shall come tobear it, but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they dieThemode of transport was upon the shoulders of the Levites (see on Nu7:9), although afterwards wheeled vehicles were employed (2Sa 6:3;1Ch 15:12). And it was allowed totouch the covering, but not the things covered, on the penalty ofdeath, which was inflicted more than once (1Sa 6:19;2Sa 6:6; 2Sa 6:7).This stern denunciation was designed to inspire a sentiment of deepand habitual reverence in the minds of those who were officiallyengaged about holy things.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when Aaron and his sons had made an end of covering the sanctuary,…. Not the holy place, nor the most holy place, for these were not covered by them; but “the holy things” in them, as the Septuagint version, the ark, shewbread table, c. and all “the vessels of the sanctuary” all appertaining to those holy things, which are before mentioned. Jarchi interprets the “sanctuary”, or the “holiness”, of the ark and altar,
and all the vessels of the sanctuary; of the candlestick and the instruments of ministry:
as the camp is to set forward; which made the covering of them necessary, in order to their being carried as that moved:
after that the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]; or rather them, all the holy things, and their vessels, and that upon their shoulders:
but they shall not touch [any] holy thing; even in bearing them, neither the ark nor any other, only the staves and bar, on which they were carried: lest they die; by the immediate hand of God:
these [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath, in the tabernacle of the congregation; the above things, the ark, &c. which they were to bear on their shoulders, and not make use of wagons to carry them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
After the priests had completed the wrapping up of all these things, the Kohathites were to come up to carry them; but they were not to touch “ the holy” (the holy things), lest they should die (see Num 1:53; Num 18:3, and comp. 2Sa 6:6-7).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(15) And all the vessels of the sanctuary.No mention is here made of the laver (Exo. 30:18). The LXX. and the Samaritan text supply a statement respecting the covering and conveyance of the brazen laver. The clause in the LXX. is as follows :And they shall take a purple cloth, and cover the laver and its foot (or base), and they shall put it into a blue cover of skin, and put it on bars. There is no sufficient ground. however, for supposing that the present Hebrew text is deficient in this place; and it seems more probable to suppose that the laver was not to be covered during its transport.
After that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it.Better, to bear, or carryviz., the whole of the vessels of ministry which had been previously enumerated. The distinction between the service of the priests and that of the Levites in regard to the removal of the Tabernacle and its furniture is here clearly marked.
But they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die.The word which is rendered any holy thing may here, as elsewhere, denote the sanctuary. This injunction is repeated in Num. 18:3. We find in 2Sa. 6:6-7 an instance of the fatal result of the violation of this command by Uzzah, who being, as is most probable, a Levite, and of the family of Kohath, ought to have been acquainted with the law respecting the removal of the Ark. It is obvious that the Kohathites, as the immediate assistants of the priests, in regard to the vessels of the Sanctuary, were specially exposed to the risk of violating the law by touching the most holy things.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. Covering the sanctuary Since none but Aaron could enter into the holy of holies under the penalty of death, we are to understand, by the sons of Aaron assisting in preparing the sanctuary and its furniture, that the prohibition was in force only when the cloud rested upon the tabernacle. But when this was removed the sons of Aaron might enter the most holy place to assist in these preparations for removal. Now that Christ has rent the veil by his death for us, we may all draw near with boldness, not to the ark of the covenant, divested of the glorious presence of the Shekinah, but to the throne of grace, filled with the presence of the merciful Father, propitiated by the great High Priest, who ever liveth to make intercession for us.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Taking of the Sum of the Levites and their Responsibilities ( Num 4:15-49 ).
The Responsibility of the Sons of Kohath ( Num 4:15-20 ).
Num 4:15
‘And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp is set forward, after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it. But they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.’
All the priests’ work having been done, the furniture was then in a state in which the Levites of the tribe of Kohath could approach and lift it so as to carry it. But they were not to touch ‘the sanctuary (or ‘the holy thing’)’ lest they die. They could go so far but no further. By ‘the holy thing’ may actually be meant the Ark for this ‘holy thing’ is said to have been covered. Or it may be a term which refers to all the holy things which were covered seen as a whole.
The furniture was the only thing carried by hand. While the remainder would be carried in ox carts, the furniture was too holy for that. All these careful provisions stressed the otherness of Yahweh, and His distinctness. While He could be approached when it was done in the right way, He was being revealed as the One Who was not easily available to man. He was the One of Whom man must beware.
Num 4:16
‘And the charge of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the continual grain offering, and the anointing oil, the charge of all the tabernacle, and of all that is in it, the sanctuary, and its furniture.’
Eleazar had supreme overall control of all this and himself was responsible for the holy oil for the lamp, the sweet incense, the continual grain offering (probably the daily grain offering which would need to be in readiness) and the anointing oil. All these would be especially holy and would need to be to hand for priestly service. He also had overall control of the Sanctuary and its contents. It was a solemn responsibility.
Num 4:17-20
‘And Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites, but thus do to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach to the most holy things. Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden, but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary (‘or ‘what is holy’) even for a moment, lest they die.” ’
Indeed so seriously had all this responsibility to be taken, a responsibility which would involve danger for the Kohathites if wrongly carried out, that a special word was added by Yahweh. Aaron and the priests were carefully to supervise all that was done, giving instructions as necessary, and allocating the Levites’ responsibilities. They were especially to ensure that the Kohathites did not see any of the holy things uncovered, even for a moment. So important was this that if they failed in this duty it could result in the destruction of the whole sub-tribe of Kohath. If they approached the holy things too early it could only result in death. The aim in all this was to be as a reminder that Yahweh was ‘wholly other’, was not of this world, and was therefore a warning that this mundane world could not have direct contact with Him in His earthly revelation of Himself. Approach to Him was only possible once His methods of approach had been carried through by means of offerings and sacrifices, incense, and the worshipful approach thus far and no further of His chosen mediators, the Aaronic priests. The way into the Holiest was not yet revealed (Heb 9:8).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Observe what sanctity is required of those which minister in holy things. That is a striking precept of the prophet to this amount. Isa 52:11 . But what are the constant stated privileges of GOD’S people now, who have boldness at all times, to draw nigh in the blood of JESUS! Dearest LORD! oh give me grace ever to keep this in view. Heb 10:19-22 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 4:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Ver. 15. Lest they die. ] As Uzzah did. 1Ch 13:10
The burden of the sons of Kohath.
“ Fructus honos oneris, fructus honoris onus. ”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
holy. See note on Exo 3:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
after that: Num 7:9, Num 10:21, Deu 31:9, Jos 4:10, 2Sa 6:13, 1Ch 15:2, 1Ch 15:15
they shall: Num 3:38, Exo 19:12, 1Sa 6:19, 2Sa 6:6, 2Sa 6:7, 1Ch 13:9, 1Ch 13:10, Heb 12:18-29
These things: Num 3:30, Num 3:31
Reciprocal: Exo 37:4 – staves Exo 37:5 – General Num 1:50 – thou shalt Num 3:8 – General Num 4:4 – General Num 4:5 – Aaron shall come Num 4:20 – they shall Num 4:24 – burdens Num 4:47 – every one Num 4:49 – every one Num 18:2 – but thou Num 18:3 – neither Deu 10:8 – bear Jos 3:3 – the priests 1Sa 4:4 – with the ark 2Sa 15:24 – bearing 1Ki 8:3 – the priests took up 1Ch 9:11 – the ruler 1Ch 13:7 – carried the ark 1Ch 15:13 – for that 2Ch 5:4 – the Levites 2Ch 35:3 – not be Rev 11:19 – the ark
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 4:15. Bear it Upon their shoulders. Afterward the priests themselves, being multiplied, carried these things, though the Levites were not excluded. They shall not touch Before they are covered.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
4:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the {h} sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not {i} touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
(h) That is, in folding up the things of the sanctuary, as the ark, etc.
(i) Before it is covered.