Numbers 4:13
And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
Original Language Analysis
וְדִשְּׁנ֖וּ
And they shall take away the ashes
H1878
וְדִשְּׁנ֖וּ
And they shall take away the ashes
Strong's:
H1878
Word #:
1 of 7
to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
The Kohathites, though privileged to carry the most sacred objects, could not even look upon them under penalty of death. Aaron and his sons alone could cover the furniture. This strict separation maintained the holiness necessary for God's presence to dwell among a sinful people.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the blue cloth teach us about the heavenly nature of true worship?
- How does the prohibition against viewing the holy objects illustrate humanity's inability to approach God apart from mediation?
- In what ways does Christ fulfill the protective covering that the blue cloth represented?
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Analysis & Commentary
The blue cloth covering speaks of the heavenly origin and divine nature of the tabernacle furnishings. Blue, derived from expensive dyes, consistently represents the celestial and holy throughout Scripture. Covering the sacred objects before transport protected both the objects and the carriers—the holiness of God's presence required proper mediation. This reflects the Reformed understanding that sinful humanity cannot approach God's holiness directly but requires divine provision and protection.