Numbers 4:31
New International Version
As part of all their service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases,

New Living Translation
“Their only duty at the Tabernacle will be to carry loads. They will carry the frames of the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the posts, and the bases;

English Standard Version
And this is what they are charged to carry, as the whole of their service in the tent of meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, with its bars, pillars, and bases,

Berean Standard Bible
This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases,

King James Bible
And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,

New King James Version
And this is what they must carry as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,

New American Standard Bible
Now this is the duty of their loads, for all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, and its bases,

NASB 1995
“Now this is the duty of their loads, for all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle and its bars and its pillars and its sockets,

NASB 1977
“Now this is the duty of their loads, for all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle and its bars and its pillars and its sockets,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now this is the responsibility of their loads, for all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle and its bars and its pillars and its bases,

Amplified Bible
This is what they are assigned to carry [on the march], according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the boards [for the framework] of the tabernacle and its bars and its pillars and its sockets or bases,

Christian Standard Bible
This is what they are responsible to carry as the whole of their service at the tent of meeting: the supports of the tabernacle, with its crossbars, pillars, and bases,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what they are responsible to carry as the whole of their service at the tent of meeting: the supports of the tabernacle, with its crossbars, posts, and bases,

American Standard Version
And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof,

Contemporary English Version
The Merarites will be responsible for carrying the frames of the tent and its other pieces, including the bars, the posts, and the stands,

English Revised Version
And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tent of meeting; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These are their duties as they work at the tent of meeting: They will carry the framework for the inner tent, the crossbars, posts, and sockets,

Good News Translation
They shall be responsible for carrying the frames, bars, posts, and bases of the Tent,

International Standard Version
This is to be their area of responsibility to carry out with respect to their service at the Tent of Meeting: the board of the tent, its bars, its crossbars, its sockets,

Majority Standard Bible
This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases,

NET Bible
This is what they are responsible to carry as their entire service in the tent of meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, its posts, its sockets,

New Heart English Bible
This is the duty of their burden, according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the tabernacle's boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,

Webster's Bible Translation
And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets,

World English Bible
This is the duty of their burden, according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the tabernacle’s boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And this [is] the charge of their burden, of all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the boards of the Dwelling Place, and its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets,

Young's Literal Translation
And this is the charge of their burden, of all their service in the tent of meeting; the boards of the tabernacle, and its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets,

Smith's Literal Translation
And this the watches from their lifting up, for all their service in the tent of appointment; the boards of the dwelling, and its bars and its pillars, and its bases,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These are their burdens: They shall carry the boards of the tabernacle and the bars thereof, the pillars and their sockets,

Catholic Public Domain Version
These are their burdens: They shall carry the panels of the tabernacle and its bars, the columns and their bases,

New American Bible
This is what they shall be responsible for carrying, with respect to all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle with its bars, columns and pedestals,

New Revised Standard Version
This is what they are charged to carry, as the whole of their service in the tent of meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, with its bars, pillars, and bases,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And this is the charge of their burden, and of all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, its bars and its pillars and its sockets

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this is the guard of their cargo and of all their service in the Time Tabernacle, the boards of the Tabernacle, its bars and its pillars and its sockets.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And these are the charges of the things borne by them according to all their works in the tabernacle of witness: they shall bear the chapiters of the tabernacle, and the bars, and its pillars, and its sockets, and the veil, and there shall be their sockets, and their pillars, and the curtain of the door of the tabernacle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Duties of the Merarites
30from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting. 31This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases, 32and the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and everything related to their use. You shall assign by name the items that they are responsible to carry.…

Cross References
Exodus 25:9
You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

Exodus 25:40
See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.

Exodus 26:1-37
“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them. / Each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide—all curtains the same size. / Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five joined as well. ...

Exodus 27:1-8
“You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. / Make a horn on each of its four corners, so that the horns are of one piece, and overlay it with bronze. / Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots for removing ashes, its shovels, its sprinkling bowls, its meat forks, and its firepans. ...

Exodus 30:1-10
“You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense. / It is to be square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high. Its horns must be of one piece. / Overlay with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns, and make a molding of gold around it. ...

Exodus 31:7-11
the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat upon it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— / the table with its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, / the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand— ...

Exodus 35:10-19
Let every skilled craftsman among you come and make everything that the LORD has commanded: / the tabernacle with its tent and covering, its clasps and frames, its crossbars, posts, and bases; / the ark with its poles and mercy seat, and the veil to shield it; ...

Exodus 36:1-38
“So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person are to carry out everything commanded by the LORD, who has given them skill and ability to know how to perform all the work of constructing the sanctuary.” / Then Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person whom the LORD had gifted—everyone whose heart stirred him to come and do the work. / They received from Moses all the contributions that the Israelites had brought to carry out the service of constructing the sanctuary. Meanwhile, the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning, ...

Exodus 37:1-29
Bezalel went on to construct the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. / He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. / And he cast four gold rings for its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other. ...

Exodus 38:1-8
Bezalel constructed the altar of burnt offering from acacia wood. It was square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. / He made a horn at each of its four corners, so that the horns and altar were of one piece, and he overlaid the altar with bronze. / He made all the altar’s utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans. ...

Exodus 39:32-43
So all the work for the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses. / Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent with all its furnishings, its clasps, its frames, its crossbars, and its posts and bases; / the covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of fine leather, and the veil of the covering; ...

1 Chronicles 9:28-32
Some of them were in charge of the articles used in worship, to count them whenever they were brought in or taken out. / Others were put in charge of the furnishings and other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the fine flour, wine, oil, frankincense, and spices. / And some of the sons of the priests mixed the spices. ...

1 Chronicles 23:26-32
So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.” / For according to the final instructions of David, the Levites twenty years of age or older were counted, / but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God, ...

1 Chronicles 28:13-19
for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for all the work of service in the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD: / the weight of all the gold articles for every kind of service; the weight of all the silver articles for every kind of service; / the weight of the gold lampstands and their lamps, including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps; the weight of each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand; ...

2 Chronicles 4:19-22
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God: the golden altar; the tables on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; / the lampstands of pure gold and their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed; / the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold; ...


Treasury of Scripture

And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,

the charge

Numbers 3:36,37
And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto, …

Numbers 7:8,9
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest…

the boards

Exodus 26:15
And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.

Jump to Previous
Bars Boards Burden Carry Charge Charged Congregation Crossbars Duty Frames Loads Meeting Part Perform Pillars Posts Service Sockets Tabernacle Tabernacle's Tent Thereof Transport Whole Work
Jump to Next
Bars Boards Burden Carry Charge Charged Congregation Crossbars Duty Frames Loads Meeting Part Perform Pillars Posts Service Sockets Tabernacle Tabernacle's Tent Thereof Transport Whole Work
Numbers 4
1. The age at which the Levites were to serve, and the duration of the service
4. The duty of the Kohathites
16. The charge of Eleazar
17. The office of the priests
21. The duty of the Gershonites
29. Of the Merarites
34. The number of the Kohathites
38. Of the Gershonites
42. And of the Merarites














This is the duty of their burden
The Hebrew word for "duty" is "מַשָּׂא" (massa), which can also mean "burden" or "load." This phrase emphasizes the responsibility and privilege of the Levites in their service to God. The "burden" is not just a physical load but a spiritual duty, highlighting the sacred trust placed upon the Levites. In a broader sense, it reminds believers today of the weight and honor of serving in God's kingdom, where every task, no matter how menial, is significant.

according to all their service
The Hebrew word for "service" is "עֲבֹדָה" (avodah), which implies work, labor, or worship. This phrase underscores that the Levites' work was not merely physical labor but an act of worship. Their service was comprehensive, covering all aspects of the tabernacle's maintenance and transport. For modern believers, this serves as a reminder that all aspects of life and work can be acts of worship when done for the glory of God.

in the Tent of Meeting
The "Tent of Meeting" refers to the tabernacle, the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. It was a sacred space where God met with His people. The phrase signifies the centrality of God's presence in the life of the Israelites. For Christians, it points to the importance of seeking God's presence in all areas of life, recognizing that through Christ, believers have direct access to God.

the frames of the tabernacle
The "frames" or "boards" were the structural components of the tabernacle, made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. These frames provided stability and support, symbolizing the strength and permanence of God's dwelling among His people. Spiritually, it can be seen as a metaphor for the foundational truths of the faith that uphold the church.

its crossbars
The "crossbars" were used to hold the frames together, ensuring the tabernacle's integrity. They symbolize unity and cohesion within the body of believers. Just as the crossbars held the tabernacle together, the love and unity among Christians hold the church together, reflecting the prayer of Jesus for His followers to be one.

posts
The "posts" were essential for supporting the curtains and the structure of the tabernacle. They represent the pillars of faith and leadership within the community of believers. Strong, godly leaders are crucial for maintaining the spiritual health and direction of the church.

and bases
The "bases" or "sockets" were the foundation upon which the posts stood. Made of silver, they provided stability and grounding. In a spiritual sense, they remind believers of the importance of being grounded in the Word of God and the foundational truths of the gospel. Just as the bases supported the tabernacle, the truths of Scripture support and sustain the faith of believers.

(31) The boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof . . . --The duty of the Merarites was to carry the heavier and more cumbersome parts of the Tabernacle and the court; and it is probably on this account that, in their case, the specific duties of each were assigned to them by name (Numbers 4:32). The description of the several portions of the Tabernacle and Court here enumerated is found in Exodus 26, 36.

Verse 31. - This is the charge of their burden, viz., all the solid parts of the fabric of the tabernacle and its court; by far the heaviest burden, and so allotted to the largest number.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This
וְזֹאת֙ (wə·zōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

is the duty
מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת (miš·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

for all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their service
עֲבֹדָתָ֖ם (‘ă·ḇō·ḏā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5656: Work of any kind

at the Tent
בְּאֹ֣הֶל (bə·’ō·hel)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting:
מוֹעֵ֑ד (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

to carry
מַשָּׂאָ֔ם (maś·śā·’ām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4853: A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire

the frames
קַרְשֵׁי֙ (qar·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7175: A slab, plank, a deck of a, ship

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

with its crossbars,
וּבְרִיחָ֖יו (ū·ḇə·rî·ḥāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1280: A bolt

posts,
וְעַמּוּדָ֥יו (wə·‘am·mū·ḏāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5982: A column, a stand, platform

and bases,
וַאֲדָנָֽיו׃ (wa·’ă·ḏā·nāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 134: A base, pedestal


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OT Law: Numbers 4:31 This is the duty of their burden (Nu Num.)
Numbers 4:30
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