Numbers 1:50
New International Version
Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle of the covenant law—over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it.

New Living Translation
Put the Levites in charge of the Tabernacle of the Covenant, along with all its furnishings and equipment. They must carry the Tabernacle and all its furnishings as you travel, and they must take care of it and camp around it.

English Standard Version
But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle.

Berean Standard Bible
Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.

King James Bible
But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

New King James Version
but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, over all its furnishings, and over all things that belong to it; they shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they shall attend to it and camp around the tabernacle.

New American Standard Bible
And you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings and over everything that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it; they shall also camp around the tabernacle.

NASB 1995
“But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it; they shall also camp around the tabernacle.

NASB 1977
“But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it; they shall also camp around the tabernacle.

Legacy Standard Bible
But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony and over all its furnishings and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall attend to it; they shall also camp around the tabernacle.

Amplified Bible
But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle (sanctuary) of the Testimony, and over all its furnishings and all things that belong to it. They shall carry the tabernacle [when traveling] and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and camp around it.

Christian Standard Bible
Appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They are to transport the tabernacle and all its articles, take care of it, and camp around it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They are to transport the tabernacle and all its articles, take care of it, and camp around it.

American Standard Version
but appoint thou the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all the furniture thereof, and over all that belongeth to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the furniture thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

English Revised Version
but appoint thou the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all the furniture thereof, and over all that belongeth to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the furniture thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Put the Levites in charge of the tent of God's words, including the equipment for the tent and everything else having to do with the tent. The Levites will carry the tent and all its equipment. They will take care of the tent and camp around it.

Good News Translation
Instead, put the Levites in charge of the Tent of my presence and all its equipment. They shall carry it and its equipment, serve in it, and set up their camp around it.

International Standard Version
Instead, appoint the descendants of Levi over the Tent of Meeting, all the vessels, and everything in it. They are to carry the tent and all the vessels in it. They are to attend to it and camp around it.

Majority Standard Bible
Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.

NET Bible
But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, over all its furnishings and over everything in it. They must carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; and they must attend to it and camp around it.

New Heart English Bible
but appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle, and all its furnishings; and they shall take care of it, and shall camp around it.

Webster's Bible Translation
But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all its vessels, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all its vessels, and they shall minister to it, and shall encamp around the tabernacle.

World English Bible
but appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; and they shall take care of it, and shall encamp around it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you, appoint the Levites over the Dwelling Place of the Testimony, and over all its vessels, and over all that it has; they carry the Dwelling Place, and all its vessels, and they serve it; and they encamp around the Dwelling Place.

Young's Literal Translation
and thou, appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its vessels, and over all that it hath; they bear the tabernacle, and all its vessels, and they serve it; and round about the tabernacle they encamp.

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou, set the Levites over the dwelling of testimony, and over all its vessels, and over all which is to it: they shall lift up the dwelling and all its vessels, and they shall serve it, and they shall encamp round about the dwelling.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But appoint them over the tabernacle of the testimony, and all the vessels thereof, and whatsoever pertaineth to the ceremonies. They shall carry the tabernacle and all the furniture thereof: and they shall minister, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But appoint them over the tabernacle of the testimony, and all its vessels, and whatever pertains to the ceremonies. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles. And they shall be for the ministry, and they shall encamp all around the tabernacle.

New American Bible
You are to give the Levites charge of the tabernacle of the covenant with all its equipment and all that belongs to it. It is they who shall carry the tabernacle with all its equipment and who shall be its ministers; and they shall camp all around the tabernacle.

New Revised Standard Version
Rather you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the covenant, and over all its equipment, and over all that belongs to it; they are to carry the tabernacle and all its equipment, and they shall tend it, and shall camp around the tabernacle.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony and over all its vessels and over all that belongs to it; they shall carry the tabernacle and all its vessels; and they shall minister to it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But authorize Levi over the Tabernacle of the Testimony and over all of its implements and over everything that is in it, those shall carry his tabernacle and all its implements and those shall serve it who shall be camping around the Tabernacle.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but appoint thou the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all the furniture thereof, and over all that belongeth to it; they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the furniture thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And do thou set the Levites over the tabernacle of witness, and over all its furniture, and over all things that are in it; and they shall do service in it, and they shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Exemption of the Levites
49“Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites. 50Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it. 51Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death.…

Cross References
Exodus 25:10-22
And they are to construct an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. / Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. / Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other. ...

Exodus 40:1-38
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “On the first day of the first month you are to set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting. / Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil. ...

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

1 Chronicles 23:32
So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 9:32
Some of their Kohathite relatives were responsible for preparing the rows of the showbread every Sabbath.

1 Kings 8:4
and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.

2 Chronicles 5:5
and they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The Levitical priests carried them up.

Hebrews 9:1-5
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. / A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ...

Hebrews 9:6-10
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. / By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. ...

Hebrews 9:11-12
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:21-22
In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. / According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 8:5
The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Hebrews 3:1-6
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. / He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. / For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. ...

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:6
who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.


Treasury of Scripture

But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister to it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

thou shalt

Numbers 3:1-10
These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai…

Numbers 4:15,25-33
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation…

Exodus 31:18
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

the tabernacle

Numbers 1:53
But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

Numbers 20:11
And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

Exodus 31:18
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

shall encamp

Numbers 2:17
Then 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.

Numbers 3:23-38
The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward…

Numbers 10:21
And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.

Jump to Previous
Appoint Bear Belong Belongeth Belongs Camp Care Carry Encamp Furnishings Furniture Levites Minister Round Tabernacle Testimony Thereof Vessels
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Appoint Bear Belong Belongeth Belongs Camp Care Carry Encamp Furnishings Furniture Levites Minister Round Tabernacle Testimony Thereof Vessels
Numbers 1
1. God commands Moses to number the people
5. The princes of the tribes
17. The number of every tribe
47. The Levites are exempted for the service of the Lord














Instead, appoint the Levites
The word "appoint" in Hebrew is "paqad," which implies a divine selection or commissioning. The Levites were chosen by God for a special purpose, highlighting the importance of divine calling and service. Historically, the Levites were set apart from the other tribes of Israel, emphasizing the principle of holiness and dedication to God's work. This appointment underscores the idea that God has specific roles for His people, and He equips them for their tasks.

over the tabernacle of the Testimony
The "tabernacle" in Hebrew is "mishkan," meaning "dwelling place." It was the central place of worship and symbolized God's presence among His people. The "Testimony" refers to the tablets of the Law, signifying God's covenant and His revealed will. The Levites' responsibility over the tabernacle indicates their role as mediators between God and Israel, a foreshadowing of Christ's mediatory role in the New Testament.

over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it
This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the Levites' duties. The "furnishings" included sacred objects like the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, and the lampstand, each with deep symbolic meaning. The Levites' care for these items reflects the reverence and meticulous attention required in worship, reminding believers of the holiness and orderliness that should characterize their approach to God.

They are to carry the tabernacle and all its articles
The act of "carrying" signifies the Levites' role as bearers of God's presence. In Hebrew, "nasa" means to lift or bear, indicating both a physical and spiritual responsibility. This duty required strength and dedication, symbolizing the weight of spiritual leadership and the call to bear one another's burdens within the community of faith.

care for it
The Hebrew word "shamar" means to guard or keep, suggesting a protective and nurturing role. The Levites were to ensure the tabernacle's sanctity and functionality, reflecting the broader call for believers to guard their hearts and maintain the purity of their worship and relationship with God.

and camp around it
The Levites' encampment around the tabernacle served as a protective barrier, symbolizing the safeguarding of God's holiness. This arrangement also illustrated the centrality of God's presence in the life of the Israelite community. For Christians, it serves as a reminder to keep Christ at the center of their lives and to protect the sacredness of their relationship with Him.

(50) The tabernacle of testimony.--The testimony (sometimes described as the two tables of the testimony (Exodus 31:18; Exodus 34:29) denotes in the first instance the tables of the law which were directed to be placed in the ark (Exodus 25:16; Exodus 25:21). Hence the ark is described as the ark of the testimony (Exodus 25:22; Exodus 26:33), and the tabernacle as the tabernacle of the testimony (Exodus 38:21), and the tent, including the outer covering of the mishkan, or wooden building, is called the tent of the testimony (Numbers 9:15). Also the veil which separated the holy place from the most holy is called the veil of the testimony (Leviticus 24:3). . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Instead,
וְאַתָּ֡ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

you are to appoint
הַפְקֵ֣ד (hap̄·qêḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

the Levites
הַלְוִיִּם֩ (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the tabernacle
מִשְׁכַּ֨ן (miš·kan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

of the testimony,
הָעֵדֻ֜ת (hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5715: Testimony

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

its furnishings,
כֵּלָיו֮ (kê·lāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

and everything in it.
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

They
הֵ֜מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

shall carry
יִשְׂא֤וּ (yiś·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the tabernacle
הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ (ham·miš·kān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

and all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

its articles,
כֵּלָ֔יו (kê·lāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

care for it,
יְשָׁרְתֻ֑הוּ (yə·šā·rə·ṯu·hū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to

and camp
יַחֲנֽוּ׃ (ya·ḥă·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

around
וְסָבִ֥יב (wə·sā·ḇîḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

it.
לַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן (lam·miš·kān)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle


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OT Law: Numbers 1:50 But appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle (Nu Num.)
Numbers 1:49
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