And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.
Parallel translations
- WEB The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived.
- BSB Then the Kohathites set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival.
- NKJV Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. (The tabernacle would be prepared for their arrival.)
- NASB Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy objects; and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival.
- NLT Next came the Kohathite division of the Levites, carrying the sacred objects from the Tabernacle. Before they arrived at the next camp, the Tabernacle would already be set up at its new location.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Kohathites carried the sanctuary's holy items, and the tabernacle was set up before they arrived. The most sacred things were borne with special care.
Overview
The Kohathites carried the holy furnishings, timed so the tabernacle structure was reassembled before they reached the new site. This careful arrangement honored the holiness of the sanctuary objects, reflecting the reverence due to all that pertains to God's presence.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Num 10:17And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.
- Num 4:4–16This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:
- Num 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.
- Num 1:51And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
- Num 3:27–32And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
- Num 2:17Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.
- 1 Chr 15:12–15And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.
- 1 Chr 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.
- Num 4:20But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 10:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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