Numbers 4:19 - but thus do to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them everyone to his service and to his burden;
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What does "Numbers 4:19" mean?
Numbers 4 deals with the duties of the Kohathites, one of the three Levite clans. They were responsible for carrying the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle (Ark of the Covenant, Table of Showbread, etc.) during the wilderness wanderings. However, because these objects were so holy, direct, unauthorized contact with them could be fatal (see Numbers 4:15).
Here's a breakdown of Numbers 4:19 and its meaning:
"but thus do to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach to the most holy things": This establishes the primary concern: protecting the Kohathites from death. The "most holy things" are the sacred objects inside the Tabernacle. The actions prescribed are intended to prevent the Kohathites from dying when they come near these objects.
"Aaron and his sons shall go in": Aaron, the high priest, and his sons (the priests) are responsible for the crucial preparations that prevent the Kohathites' death. Only they are permitted to handle the holy objects initially.
"and appoint them everyone to his service and to his burden": This is the key action Aaron and his sons must perform. They are to:
"appoint them everyone to his service": The priests must specifically assign each Kohathite to a particular task related to carrying the holy objects. This means they must delegate and inform the Kohathites of what their individual task would be.
"and to his burden": They must assign each Kohathite to a specific "burden," or item to carry. This allocation is not random; it ensures each Kohathite knows exactly what he is responsible for and how to handle it.
In essence, the verse mandates a priestly-led process to protect the Kohathites from the danger inherent in handling the sacred objects. The priests ensure safety by:
Preparing the holy objects for transport themselves by carefully covering them (as described in the preceding verses).
Directly assigning specific tasks and burdens to each Kohathite. This clarifies their role and prevents accidental contact with the uncovered holy objects, which would be a violation of the holiness codes.
Theological Significance:
Holiness and Reverence: The verse emphasizes the extreme holiness of God and the reverence required when dealing with things dedicated to Him. Untrained or unauthorized contact with the most sacred things could have lethal consequences.
Order and Structure: The detailed instructions and the priestly supervision highlight the importance of order and proper procedure in religious practice. God is a God of order, and worship requires careful preparation and adherence to established guidelines.
Mediation: Aaron and his sons act as mediators between the Kohathites and the holy objects. This foreshadows the role of priests in general as intermediaries between God and the people.
In summary, Numbers 4:19 is a crucial instruction for ensuring the safe and proper handling of the Tabernacle's sacred objects, emphasizing the holiness of God and the importance of appointed roles and responsibilities in religious service.
Numbers 4:19 - but thus do to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them everyone to his service and to his burden;
What does "Numbers 4:19" mean?
Numbers 4 deals with the duties of the Kohathites, one of the three Levite clans. They were responsible for carrying the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle (Ark of the Covenant, Table of Showbread, etc.) during the wilderness wanderings. However, because these objects were so holy, direct, unauthorized contact with them could be fatal (see Numbers 4:15).
Here's a breakdown of Numbers 4:19 and its meaning:
"but thus do to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach to the most holy things": This establishes the primary concern: protecting the Kohathites from death. The "most holy things" are the sacred objects inside the Tabernacle. The actions prescribed are intended to prevent the Kohathites from dying when they come near these objects.
"Aaron and his sons shall go in": Aaron, the high priest, and his sons (the priests) are responsible for the crucial preparations that prevent the Kohathites' death. Only they are permitted to handle the holy objects initially.
"and appoint them everyone to his service and to his burden": This is the key action Aaron and his sons must perform. They are to:
"appoint them everyone to his service": The priests must specifically assign each Kohathite to a particular task related to carrying the holy objects. This means they must delegate and inform the Kohathites of what their individual task would be.
"and to his burden": They must assign each Kohathite to a specific "burden," or item to carry. This allocation is not random; it ensures each Kohathite knows exactly what he is responsible for and how to handle it.
In essence, the verse mandates a priestly-led process to protect the Kohathites from the danger inherent in handling the sacred objects. The priests ensure safety by:
Preparing the holy objects for transport themselves by carefully covering them (as described in the preceding verses).
Directly assigning specific tasks and burdens to each Kohathite. This clarifies their role and prevents accidental contact with the uncovered holy objects, which would be a violation of the holiness codes.
Theological Significance:
Holiness and Reverence: The verse emphasizes the extreme holiness of God and the reverence required when dealing with things dedicated to Him. Untrained or unauthorized contact with the most sacred things could have lethal consequences.
Order and Structure: The detailed instructions and the priestly supervision highlight the importance of order and proper procedure in religious practice. God is a God of order, and worship requires careful preparation and adherence to established guidelines.
Mediation: Aaron and his sons act as mediators between the Kohathites and the holy objects. This foreshadows the role of priests in general as intermediaries between God and the people.
In summary, Numbers 4:19 is a crucial instruction for ensuring the safe and proper handling of the Tabernacle's sacred objects, emphasizing the holiness of God and the importance of appointed roles and responsibilities in religious service.