Numbers 4:15
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Original Language Analysis
וְכִלָּ֣ה
have made an end
H3615
וְכִלָּ֣ה
have made an end
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
1 of 29
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
בְנֵֽי
and his sons
H1121
בְנֵֽי
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 29
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְכַסֹּ֨ת
of covering
H3680
לְכַסֹּ֨ת
of covering
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
4 of 29
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
any holy thing
H6944
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
any holy thing
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
6 of 29
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 29
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 #:
8 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלֵ֣י
and all the vessels
H3627
כְּלֵ֣י
and all the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
9 of 29
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
any holy thing
H6944
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
any holy thing
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
10 of 29
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
בִּנְסֹ֣עַ
is to set forward
H5265
בִּנְסֹ֣עַ
is to set forward
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
11 of 29
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒
as the camp
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒
as the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
12 of 29
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וְאַֽחֲרֵי
after
H310
וְאַֽחֲרֵי
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
13 of 29
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כֵ֗ן
H3651
כֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
14 of 29
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יָבֹ֤אוּ
shall come
H935
יָבֹ֤אוּ
shall come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
15 of 29
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְנֵֽי
and his sons
H1121
בְנֵֽי
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 29
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לָשֵׂ֔את
to bear
H5375
לָשֵׂ֔את
to bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
18 of 29
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִגְּע֥וּ
it but they shall not touch
H5060
יִגְּע֥וּ
it but they shall not touch
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
20 of 29
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
any holy thing
H6944
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
any holy thing
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
22 of 29
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וָמֵ֑תוּ
lest they die
H4191
וָמֵ֑תוּ
lest they die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
23 of 29
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
מַשָּׂ֥א
These things are the burden
H4853
מַשָּׂ֥א
These things are the burden
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
25 of 29
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
בְנֵֽי
and his sons
H1121
בְנֵֽי
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
26 of 29
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Numbers 7:9But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.Deuteronomy 31:9And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.Numbers 10:21And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.1 Chronicles 15:2Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.1 Samuel 6:19And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.
Historical Context
The lethal danger of touching holy things was demonstrated when Uzzah touched the ark to steady it and died instantly (2 Samuel 6:6-7). David learned the hard way that God's commands for handling sacred things must be followed precisely. Later, when the ark was transported correctly by Levites using poles, God blessed the procession (2 Samuel 6:13-15).
Questions for Reflection
- How does this severe penalty teach us about God's holiness?
- What does it mean that we need Christ as mediator to approach God safely?
- How should we balance confidence in approaching God with appropriate reverence?
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Analysis & Commentary
The command that Kohathites must not touch the holy things lest they die demonstrates that proximity to holiness without proper mediation brings death, not blessing. Aaron's sons covered the sacred objects; only then could Kohathites transport them. This pictures the principle that sinful humanity cannot touch divine holiness directly—we require priestly mediation. Christ fulfills this role, covering our sins so we can approach God safely (Hebrews 10:19-22). The severity of the penalty underscores God's holiness and the seriousness of presumption.