Verse 12. - All the instruments of ministry. These do not seem to be, at any rate exclusively, the vessels pertaining to the golden altar. They are not packed up with it, but separately, in a blue cloth and a skin covering of their own. Probably they include all the vessels and utensils used inside the tabernacle which have not been previously mentioned.
4:4-20 The Kohathites were to carry the holy things of the tabernacle. All the holy things were to be covered; not only for security and respect, but to keep them from being seen. This not only marked the reverence due to holy things, but the mystery of the things signified by those types, and the darkness of the dispensation. But now, through Christ, the case is altered, and we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace.
And they shall take all the instruments of ministry,
wherewith they minister in the sanctuary,.... The garments in which the priests, ministered in the sanctuary, which were laid up in proper places, and which they only wore when in service:
and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins; all wrapped up in one bundle:
and shall put them on a bar; the same sort of carriage on which the candlestick and its vessels were borne; see Gill on Numbers 4:10.
wherewith they minister in the sanctuary,.... The garments in which the priests, ministered in the sanctuary, which were laid up in proper places, and which they only wore when in service:
and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins; all wrapped up in one bundle:
and shall put them on a bar; the same sort of carriage on which the candlestick and its vessels were borne; see Gill on Numbers 4:10.