Numbers 3:36
And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,
Original Language Analysis
וּפְקֻדַּ֣ת
And under the custody
H6486
וּפְקֻדַּ֣ת
And under the custody
Strong's:
H6486
Word #:
1 of 13
visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)
מִשְׁמֶרֶת֮
and charge
H4931
מִשְׁמֶרֶת֮
and charge
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
2 of 13
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
בְּנֵ֣י
of the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
קַרְשֵׁי֙
shall be the boards
H7175
קַרְשֵׁי֙
shall be the boards
Strong's:
H7175
Word #:
5 of 13
a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of a ship
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן
of the tabernacle
H4908
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
6 of 13
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
וְעַמֻּדָ֣יו
thereof and the pillars
H5982
וְעַמֻּדָ֣יו
thereof and the pillars
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
8 of 13
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
וַֽאֲדָנָ֑יו
thereof and the sockets
H134
וַֽאֲדָנָ֑יו
thereof and the sockets
Strong's:
H134
Word #:
9 of 13
a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כֵּלָ֔יו
thereof and all the vessels
H3627
כֵּלָ֔יו
thereof and all the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
11 of 13
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
Cross References
Exodus 26:37And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.Exodus 26:32And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.
Historical Context
The tabernacle's structural components were heavy and cumbersome, requiring significant physical labor to transport and erect. The Merarites' work was less ceremonially delicate than the Kohathites' but equally necessary for the tabernacle to function as God's dwelling among Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Merarites' foundational structural work illustrate that kingdom advancement requires essential support ministries enabling more visible service?
- What does this teach us about valuing the often-unseen work that provides the foundation for prominent ministries?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Merarites' specific charge over boards, bars, pillars, sockets, and tent pegs represents the foundational structural work enabling the tabernacle to stand. Without these components, the fabric elements (Gershonite responsibility) and holy furnishings (Kohathite responsibility) would have no structure to support them. This teaches that kingdom work includes essential but less visible support functions undergirding more prominent ministries.