Numbers 4:10
And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon a bar.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָֽתְנ֖וּ
And they shall put
H5414
וְנָֽתְנ֖וּ
And they shall put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹתָהּ֙
H853
אֹתָהּ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כֵּלֶ֔יהָ
it and all the vessels
H3627
כֵּלֶ֔יהָ
it and all the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
5 of 12
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
מִכְסֵ֖ה
thereof within a covering
H4372
מִכְסֵ֖ה
thereof within a covering
Strong's:
H4372
Word #:
7 of 12
a covering, i.e., weatherboarding
תָּ֑חַשׁ
of badgers
H8476
תָּ֑חַשׁ
of badgers
Strong's:
H8476
Word #:
9 of 12
a (clean) animal with fur, probably a species of antelope
וְנָֽתְנ֖וּ
And they shall put
H5414
וְנָֽתְנ֖וּ
And they shall put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
The Kohathites carried the covered holy objects on their shoulders using poles, never touching the objects directly. This honored the objects' holiness while enabling their transport. The method contrasted with Philistine cart-transport of the captured ark (1 Samuel 6:7), which God tolerated from pagans but would not accept from Israel. God's people must follow His prescribed methods, not adopt pagan pragmatism.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the careful transport of holy things inform how we handle and teach Scripture?
- What 'coverings' protect sound doctrine from corruption during transmission?
- Why must we follow God's prescribed methods for handling sacred truth rather than adopting cultural pragmatism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The comprehensive wrapping—'put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon a bar'—protected the lampstand completely. The Hebrew mot (bar/pole) indicates the carrying method. Everything was enclosed before Kohathites touched it, preventing both damage to sacred objects and death to transporters. This multi-layered protection teaches that holy things require complete safeguarding. Spiritual truth similarly needs protection from corruption—sound doctrine must be guarded carefully (2 Timothy 1:13-14), transported intact across generations without addition or subtraction.