Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 4:21
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,
21 28. The Gershonites and their duties.
They carry (in wagons Num 7:7) all the hangings and coverings of which the Dwelling and the court are composed.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the Lord spake unto Moses,…. Though Aaron is not mentioned here, he was concerned in taking the sum of the Gershonites, as well as of the Kohathites, as appears from Nu 4:41;
saying; as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The service of the Gershonites is introduced in Num 4:21-23 in the same manner as that of the Kohathites in Num 4:1-3; and in Num 4:24-26 it is described in accordance with the brief notice and explanation already given in Num 3:24-26.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
21 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 22 Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families; 23 From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. 24 This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens: 25 And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers’ skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, 26 And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve. 27 At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens. 28 This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 29 As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers; 30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation. 31 And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof, 32 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. 33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and was to be done regularly. 1. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery of the tabernacle, the curtains, and hangings, and the coverings of badgers’ skins, v. 22-26. These they were to take down when the cloud removed, and the ark and the rest of the holy things were carried away, to pack up and bring with them, and then to set up again, where the cloud rested. Aaron and his sons allotted to them their respective charge: “You shall take care of such a curtain, and you of such a hanging, that every one may know his work, and there may be no confusion,” v. 27. Ithamar particularly was to take the oversight of them, v. 28. 2. The Merarites were charged with the heavy carriage, the boards and bars, the pillars and sockets, the pins and cords, and these were delivered to them by name, Num 4:31; Num 4:32. An inventory was given them of every particular, that it might be forthcoming, and nothing to seek, when the tabernacle was to be set up again. Though these seemed of less importance than the other things pertaining to the sanctuary, yet there was this care taken of them, to teach us with the greatest exactness to preserve pure and entire all divine institutions, and to take care that nothing be lost. It also intimates the care God takes of his church, and every member of it; the good Shepherd calls his own sheep by name, John x. 3. Here were thousands of men employed about these services, though a much less number would have served for the bearing of those burdens; but it was requisite that the tabernacle should be taken down, and set up, with great expedition, and many hands would make quick work, especially when every one knew his work. They had tents of their own to take care of, and to take along with them, but the young men under thirty, and the old men above fifty, might serve for them; nor is there any mention of them, for God’s house must always be preferred before our own. Their care was preposterous who built and ceiled their own houses while God’s house lay waste, Hag 1:4; Hag 1:9. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the tabernacle (2 Cor. v. 1), and the putting of it off, 2 Pet. i. 14. The immortal soul, like the most holy things, is first covered and taken away, carried by angels, unseen, under the inspection of the Lord Jesus, our Eleazar. Care is also taken of the body–the skin and flesh, which are as the curtains, the bones and sinews which are as the bars and pillars; none of these shall be lost; commandment is given concerning the bones, a covenant made with the dust; these are in safe custody, and shall all be produced in the great day, when this tabernacle shall be set up again, and these vile bodies made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 21-28:
This text is further explanation of the duties of the Gershonites, see Nu 2:21-26. Their service was to transport the curtains and coverings of the Tabernacle, see Ex 26.
The age limits set for the Gershonites’ service were thirty (to begin) and fifty (to end).
Aaron’s son Ithamar was in charge of the Gershonites in their service. He was also one of the overseers of the Tabernacle construction, Ex 38:21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
B. THE GERSHONITES vv. 2128
TEXT
Num. 4:21. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 22. Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families; 23. From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. 24. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens: 25. And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 26. And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them; so shall they serve. 27. At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens. 28. This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
PARAPHRASE
Num. 4:21. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 22. Count the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers houses, by their families, 23. from thirty years old and up to fifty years old you shall count them: all who enter to perform the service, to do the work in the Tent of Meeting. 24. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in both serving and carrying: 25. they shall carry the curtains of the Tabernacle and the Tent of Meeting, its covering, and the covering of the goatskin on top of it, and the screen for the door of the Tent of Meeting, and the curtain for the court, 26. and the screen for the door of the gate of the court surrounding the Tabernacle and the altar, and their cords and all the equipment for their service, and everything that is made for them; in this manner they shall serve. 27. All the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their duties and all their work, shall be done by the order of Aaron and his sons: you shall appoint all their duty to those in charge. 28. This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the Tent of Meeting; and their duties shall be under the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.
COMMENTARY
Much less complex than the work of the Kohathites were the duties of the second family, the Gershonites. They are tallied for service on the same basis as are the others; from ages thirty to fifty. On the march, they are responsible for the many curtains of the Tabernacle, the Tent itself, and the many coverings they required; they carry also all the screen which filled the door at the eastern Door of the Tent, as well as the bulky hangings which surrounded the outer court and the screen which closed the only opening by which access might be gained into the court. With these, they carried the cords which were used specifically for the erection and solidity of the Tabernacle. In order that there might be no misunderstanding whatever, they are instructed in detail by Aaron and his sons.
Ithamar, who had had a primary assignment during the construction of the Tabernacle (Exo. 38:21), now is placed in oversight of both the Gershonites and the Merarites, although he himself is a Kohathite. We are informed in Num. 7:7-8 that wagons were assigned for transporting the articles.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
87.
Compare this passage with Exodus 27, and see more clearly the duty of the Gershonites.
88.
Why did they not carry the veil?
89.
Distinguish between the cords carried by the Gershonites and those for which the Merarites were responsible.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
SERVICE OF THE SONS OF GERSHON, Num 4:21-28.
The special service assigned to this great family of Levites was the transportation of the cloth and skin coverings of the tabernacle, with its numerous hangings, cords, and curtains. There are no minute directions respecting the packing of these, because they were deemed less sacred than the furniture. They were taken down and folded up by the Levites, (Num 1:51,) under the superintendence of Ithamar, the son of Aaron. The Gershonites were allowed two covered wagons, drawn by four oxen. Num 7:3; Num 7:7.
SERVICE OF THE SONS OF MERARI, Num 4:29-33.
The framework of the movable temple still remains to be transported. The family of Merari are charged with the boards, posts, pins, bars, and cordage pertaining to the support of the structure. They were allowed the assistance of four covered wagons drawn by eight oxen. Num 7:3; Num 7:8. On the march, this family, as well as the Gershonites, were under the command of Ithamar the priest. His column was to precede the Kohathites with the sacred furniture, in order to pitch the tabernacle and have it in readiness for them. Num 10:17; Num 10:21.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Responsibility of the Sons of Gershon ( Num 4:21-28 ).
Num 4:21-23
‘And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the sum of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ houses, by their families, from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old you shall number them, all who enter in to wait on the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting.” ’
Yahweh’s next command was to take the sum of the Gershonites. Again it was to be done by their father’s houses (‘thousands?’) and by their families (‘hundreds’?). All males who were between 30 and 50 who were fit for service were to be numbered, those who could respond to the call to work in the Tent of Meeting.
Num 4:24
“ This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens.”
The way in which the Gershonites were to serve was now listed. It was stressed that their service included the bearing of heavy burdens.
Num 4:25
“ They shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tent of meeting, its covering, and the covering of dolphin skin that is above upon it, and the screen for the door of the tent of meeting, and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and whatever shall be done with them. In these things shall they serve.”
It was their responsibility to carry the Dwellingplace itself with its curtains and accoutrements, its door screen and gate screen, and its dolphin skin covering. Elsewhere we learned that the Levites were to dismantle the Dwellingplace when a journey was to begin and re-erect it at the next stop (Numbers 2:51). Probably all three sub-tribes assisted with this dismantling and erecting.
Num 4:27
“ At the commandment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burden, and in all their service; and you shall appoint to them in charge all their burden.”
All their service and work and burden bearing was to be done under the authority of Aaron and his sons who were to direct who would do what.
Num 4:28
“ This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting, and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”
So the service of the ‘families’ of the sons of the Gershonites has been made clear. And while about their activity, and on the march, they were under the supervision and control of Ithamar, the son of Aaron ‘the Priest’ (the High Priest).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Work of the Gershonites
v. 21. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, v. 22. Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families; v. 23. from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shall thou number them, v. 24. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, v. 25. and they shall bear the curtains of the Tabernacle, and the Tabernacle of the Congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers’ skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, v. 26. and the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the Tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them; so shall they serve. v. 27. At the appointment of Aaron and his sons, v. 28. This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the Tabernacle of the Congregation; and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
In the service of the Gershonites, we may learn some sweet and interesting instructions, also, spiritually considered. Was not the numbering of those that ministered in this tabernacle service, emblematical of JESUS’S numbering his people, and calling them all by name? Joh 10:3 . And was not the putting up, and taking down the tabernacle, by the pins and cords thereof, intended to show how the bodies of the saints, which are expressly said, in the New Testament dispensation, to be the temples of the HOLY GHOST, are removeable by death, and will be erected again, when those bodies shall become, glorified bodies, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, at the resurrection? See 1Co 15:42-44 ,
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Reciprocal: Num 4:49 – as the Lord