Numbers 4:5
And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
Original Language Analysis
וּבָנָיו֙
and his sons
H1121
וּבָנָיו֙
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִּנְסֹ֣עַ
setteth forward
H5265
בִּנְסֹ֣עַ
setteth forward
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
And when the camp
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
And when the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
5 of 14
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וְהוֹרִ֕דוּ
and they shall take down
H3381
וְהוֹרִ֕דוּ
and they shall take down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
6 of 14
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְכִ֨סּוּ
and cover
H3680
וְכִ֨סּוּ
and cover
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
Historical Context
When Israel broke camp, the priests (not Levites) entered the Holy of Holies to carefully cover the ark and all sacred vessels before the Kohathites could carry them. This procedure prevented any inadvertent viewing of these holy objects. The detailed covering process emphasized that seeing God's glory without proper mediation meant death—a principle tragically demonstrated when Uzzah touched the ark and died (2 Samuel 6:6-7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the requirement for priestly mediation before the ark point to our absolute need for Christ as mediator?
- What does the danger of approaching God's holiness incorrectly teach about reverence in worship?
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Analysis & Commentary
The command for Aaron and his sons to cover the ark before the Kohathites approached demonstrates the extreme holiness of God's presence. Even the Levites consecrated to tabernacle service could not look upon the ark uncovered without dying. The priests' mediatorial role in preparing the holy things for transport illustrates that approaching God requires proper mediation—a principle fulfilled in Christ who grants believers access to God's presence through His blood (Hebrews 10:19-22).