Numbers 4:14
And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָֽתְנ֣וּ
And they shall put
H5414
וְנָֽתְנ֣וּ
And they shall put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עָ֠לָיו
H5921
עָ֠לָיו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 27
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 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלֵ֣י
all the vessels
H3627
כְּלֵ֣י
all the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
5 of 27
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְֽשָׁרְת֧וּ
thereof wherewith they minister
H8334
יְֽשָׁרְת֧וּ
thereof wherewith they minister
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
7 of 27
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
עָלָ֣יו
H5921
עָלָ֣יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 27
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 #:
14 of 27
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 #:
16 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלֵ֣י
all the vessels
H3627
כְּלֵ֣י
all the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
19 of 27
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
עָלָ֗יו
H5921
עָלָ֗יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כְּס֛וּי
upon it a covering
H3681
כְּס֛וּי
upon it a covering
Strong's:
H3681
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, covered, i.e., (as noun) a covering
תַּ֖חַשׁ
of badgers
H8476
תַּ֖חַשׁ
of badgers
Strong's:
H8476
Word #:
25 of 27
a (clean) animal with fur, probably a species of antelope
Historical Context
The bronze altar stood in the tabernacle courtyard where the daily burnt offerings and sin offerings were made. The instruments listed were used for removing ashes, turning the sacrifice, and handling the blood—all essential elements of the sacrificial system that maintained Israel's covenant relationship with God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the detailed regulation of altar vessels demonstrate that salvation is by God's prescription, not human merit?
- What does the bronze altar's continual use teach us about the ongoing need for atonement?
- In what ways do these Old Testament sacrificial instruments point forward to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The comprehensive inventory of altar vessels—censers, fleshhooks, shovels, and basins—demonstrates that every aspect of sacrifice was ordained by God. These instruments of atonement had to be properly covered and carried, teaching that the means of approaching God through sacrifice was not a human invention but divine revelation. The altar represents the centrality of substitutionary atonement in God's plan of redemption. Reformed theology sees this as prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.