Numbers Chapter 4 Discussion

Was anyone ever curious to keep track of the number of people there was in each house? Called to service?

Numbers Chapter 4

This chapter details how the items that together make up the tent of meeting/tabernacle are to be prepared for transport and then transported when the camp is to break and move according to the Lord's direction.

It is interesting that the items are to be covered with blue cloth and then with badger skins. I do not know what the blue cloth would indicate, but the badger skins would protect the items from rain and sun. Also, the badger skins would prevent the items from being viewed by the anyone other than the priests. All items were to be carried either with poles going through rings or suspended on poles. It does not say how the planks and curtains are to be transported. Perhaps since, they are heavy and numerous, they are divided up evenly among the men of the tribe of Merari.

Men between the ages of 30 and fifty were to do this work, most likely because they were in their prime and were strong and had the stamina to carry the items from one camp to the next. The terrain they traveled in was sometimes strenuous, going through ravines and hills and mountain passes. I wonder if they carried the items in shifts on the journey?

Also, I wonder what happened to the glory Presence of the Lord on the ark of the covenant when it was covered and transported. And also, what about the fire for the altar of sacrifice which was to be be kept burning always.

Gill's Exposition of the Bible

And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof,.... Upon the altar covered with a blue cloth; on that were to be put everything belonging to the altar:

wherewith they minister about it; the priests, when they offered sacrifice on it:

even the censers, the flesh-hooks, and the shovels, and the basins,

all the vessels of the altar; of which see Exodus 27:3,

and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins: to prevent the rains falling upon them, which being all of brass, would be apt to tarnish:

and put to the staves of it; which were made to bear and carry it on such an occasion as this, Exodus 27:6. No mention is made of the laver, though there is both in the Septuagint and Samaritan versions, which add,"and they shall take a purple cloth and cover the layer, and its base, and shall put it into a covering of skin of a blue colour, and put it upon bearers:''but perhaps the reason why this is not mentioned is, because it was carried uncovered; the mystery of which, Ainsworth conjectures, was this, that it might be a lively representation of the grace of God in Christ, continuing and opened as an ever springing fountain, where always God's elect, having faith in him, may wash and purge themselves in the blood of Christ unto forgiveness of sin sanctification of the Spirit, and salvation; see Zechariah 13:1.

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The badger is an unclean animal. Is the badger referenced here the same animal that we know as a badger?

Thomas, badger then is not the current animal we know as badger. In the old days, badger was a sea cow.

i thought badg ers skin was unclean why was it used as a covering

Try recalculating;
Kohathites = 2750 (verse 36)
Gershonites = 2630 (verse 40)
Merari = 3200 (verse 44)
which when you add these you total 8580

When I add the numbers given of the sons of Kohathites + Gershan's + Merari's it totals 8, 600. But the sum given in verse 48 is 8,580. What am I not counting correctly?

The Rams skins were dyed red and symbolic of the substitute Ram given by God unto Abraham. The Badger skins on top of the Rams skins was symbolic of gold, since the badger skins are the closest animal skins by weight compared to gold. In other words the slain Ram was precious. Also the badger can get bitten by a poisonous serpent and revive to attack, kill, and eat the serpent. Jesus

They used badgers skin. Some here say that used cow skins. Not so. If it was He would have said it. Also badgers skins make more sense. Badgers skins shed water, rain. Have you ever had a leather coat and wore it in the rain? If you did its no good any more because it will draw up two sizes too small.

The covering of God's tabernacle/ark, etc.; badger skins/KJV; sea cow skins/Niv. KJV was ordained of God as His TRANSLATION (NOT interpretation) in 1611 by the order of King James. God was therewith the ministers/scholars who made this translation over a period of 7 years. Under the threat of death from King James if it didn't suit the church. These men prayed MIGHTILY during the 7 yrs.

Wanda, I believe this is more than the first time you have asked this question. Though presently it's now almost a year later I by the Holy Ghost will attempt to shed some light on this issue. Num. V6 and 10 in the NIV says sea cow's skin and the KJV says badger's skin. I believe either could have been used in that service. God bless us all in reading and understanding his Word. Glory be to God in the highest through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!

Verses 6 and 10, a badger is rarely seen during the day as it hunts at night to avoid predators. I think badgers may be the symbolic term used for the secret service, like the mossad which is the national intelligence agency of Israel, which protects the ark.

I read one bible and it said that they use sea cows to cover the ark and another said they use Badgers skins, so which one did they really use.I would like to know the true answer. thanks

Theres no light it cannot function propaly by our willng to do it wht we want need to them.

Many are needed to clean, maintain and make safe the tabernacle. Do your share of the work and keep your house in order. Be ready.

this is tell us to forget and cleanse our mind of old things. and give it to the LORD.