Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 4:6

And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins, and shall spread over [it] a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.

wholly of blue – Compare Exo 25:4 note. The third and external covering of the ark only was to be of this color. The table of showbread had Num 4:8 an outer wrapping of scarlet; the altar Num 4:13 one of purple.

Put in the staves – Probably, put the staves in order. These were never taken out of the golden rings by which the ark was to be borne (see Exo 25:14-15), but would need adjustment.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

By

the covering of badgers skins the ark was secured from the injuries of the weather:.

Object. How could these staves be put in, when they were never to be taken out, Exo 25:15, compared with 1Ki 8:8.

Answ. 1. These places may speak of the staves while the ark and tabernacle stood, but when they were to be removed the posture of all things was altered.

2. The Hebrew verb doth not signify putting in, but barely putting, or placing, or disposing, and may be understood not of putting the staves into the rings, wherein they constantly remained, but of the putting of them either upon their shoulders to try and fit them for carriage, or into the holes or receptacles which probably were made in these coverings for the receiving and covering of these gilded staves, to keep them both from the touch of the Levites, and from the inconveniences of bad weather.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

6. covering of badgers’ skins(Seeon Ex 25:5). The covering, however,referred to was not that of the tabernacle, but one made for thespecial purpose of protecting the ark.

put in the stavesThesegolden staves were now taken out. (See on Ex25:15, compared with 1Ki 8:8).The Hebrew word rendered “put in,” signifies also”dispose,” and probably refers here to their insertionthrough the openings in the coverings made for receiving them, topreserve them from the touch of the carriers as well as from theinfluence of the weather. It is worthy of notice that the coveringsdid not consist of canvas or coarse tarpaulin, but of a kind whichunited beauty with decency.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins,…. Not that which covered the tabernacle, for that was committed to the Gershonites, Nu 4:25; but a covering made of these on purpose for the present use, to preserve the ark from rain and dust; and this covering was put not immediately upon the ark, but upon the other coverings that were over the ark, and so preserved the vail as well as the ark:

and shall spread over [it] a cloth wholly of blue; it is a matter of question, whether this was over the covering of badgers’ skins also; if over the latter, as one would think it should be, by the order of the text, how could that be a shelter from the rain and dust, which seems to be the use of it, and therefore should be the outermost, as one of the same kind was the outermost covering of the tabernacle? Aben Ezra observes, there were some that say it was over the covering of badger’s skin, but it is right in mine eyes, says he, that it was spread over the covering vail; if indeed it was for the sake of honour and dignity, the first is right, but the badger’s skin was on account of rain and dust:

and shall put in the staves thereof: having been removed while the ark was covering, as Aben Ezra observes, or otherwise they always remained in their rings, and were never taken out, Ex 25:14; but on this occasion they might, and then be put in again for the carrying of the ark, which was the use of them; though he also remarks, that there are some that say the sense is, they put the staves on the shoulders of them that carried it, which is not a despicable sense; unless rather it is to be understood of putting the staves through holes made in the coverings of the ark, and disposing and fitting them in them, for the better carriage of it.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(6) And shall put in the staves thereof.The staves had been removed whilst the Ark was being covered; otherwise they remained in their places (Exo. 25:15). (Comp. 2Ch. 5:9.)

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

6. The covering This must be distinguished from the outside covering of the whole ohel, or tabernacle. Hence it should be translated “a covering,” made specially to enwrap the ark for carrying.

Badgers’ skins Hebrew, tachash skins; LXX., hyacinth (coloured) skin. Gesenius sustains the English translation badger, which Dr. Robinson says “is without sufficient reason,” as this animal is rare in the wilderness. He inclines to call it the halicore, a kind of fish. Keil, and De Wette, and Knobel call it the sea-cow. Furst styles it the shark, or the dogfish.

The Speaker’s Commentary inclines to the seal, the skin of which was used for a tent by Augustus, and is said to be proof against lightning. See Exo 25:5, note.

Cloth wholly of blue Or, rather, purple blue. The Hebrew, , is translated by the Seventy , hyacinth blue, and in the seventh verse, , wholly purple. We have here proof that Jehovah makes provision for the gratification of the esthetical nature of his people, for this cloth is ornamental. The leathern cover beneath it is for protection. We are not sure of what the colour is the emblem. The ark bore within it the two tables of the law, and its lid was the propitiatory or mercy-seat. Inasmuch as Christ is our propitiation, (Rom 3:25,) and has hid the law in his heart, (Psa 40:8,) the ark symbolizes him. Hence it was proper to signalize it with a bright covering, to invest it with all honour in the eyes of man.

Put in the staves These were the golden rods with which it was carried. They were not to be taken out. Exo 25:15. This prohibition may not have applied when draping the ark for removal. It was disregarded on another occasion. 1Ki 8:8. All the sacred vessels were to be so wrapped up as not to be touched by the bearers. The Hebrew can be translated adjust or dispose the staves.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments