Numbers - 4:24



24 "This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens:

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Numbers 4:24.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
This is the office of the family of the Gersonites :
This shall be the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving, and in carrying:
This is the service of the families of the Gershonite, to serve, and for burden,
This is to be the work of the Gershonites, the things they are to do and take up.
This is the duty of the family of the Gershonites:
Istud erit opus familiarum Gersonitarum ad ministrandum et ad portandum

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

This is the service of the families of the Gershonites. The tasks which He enjoins upon the sons of Gershon, as well as the sons of Merari, are apparently mean and laborious, for it was a hard and also a servile work to carry the curtains and the tabernacle, together with its coverings, the boards, too, and the bars, and the pillars. But hence we learn that in God's service nothing is to be despised, but that each and every part of our duty should be cheerfully performed, inasmuch as it ought abundantly to satisfy us, that God should have deigned to choose us as ministers of His sanctuary, so that neither weariness nor pride should ever hinder us in our duty.

This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens. The former of these phrases Aben Ezra interprets of setting up the tabernacle, making the bread (the shewbread), slaying (the sacrifices), and keeping, that is, watching and guarding, the tabernacle; and the latter of what they did when journeying, bearing and carrying the things assigned to them, afterwards mentioned.

This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, &c.--They were appointed to carry "the curtains of the tabernacle"--that is, the goats' hair covering of the tent--the ten curious curtains and embroidered hangings at the entrance, with their red morocco covering, &c.

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