🔢WEB · Numbers 4:21
What does Numbers 4:21 mean?
"Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,"
— Numbers 4:21 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
“Don’t 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 everyone to his service and to his burden;
but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.”
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ houses, by their families;
you shall count them from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old; all who enter in to wait on the service, to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.
“This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens:
Explanation
Numbers 4:21 is a brief introductory formula that appears throughout the book of Numbers. In plain language, it simply states that God spoke to Moses, setting up the instructions that follow in the next verses. The verse itself contains no new commandment or teaching; it functions as a narrative hinge, alerting the reader that fresh instructions from God are about to be given—specifically here, the assignments given to the Gershonite clan of Levites, detailed in verses 22-28.
Numbers was written by Moses (traditionally) during Israel's wilderness wanderings, addressed to the community of Israel as they organized themselves for both worship and travel toward the Promised Land. The book carefully catalogs the tribes, their numbers, and their responsibilities, especially those of the Levites, who were set apart for the service of the tabernacle. This particular chapter is concerned with the specific duties of the Levitical clans—Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—in transporting the tabernacle and its furnishings whenever the camp moved. Verse 21 introduces the section dealing with the Gershonites' responsibilities, which include carrying the curtains, coverings, and hangings
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