Numbers 7:8 - and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Generated Verse: Numbers 7:8

What does "Numbers 7:8" mean?


This verse from Numbers 7:8 is describing a specific part of the distribution of offerings made by the tribal leaders of Israel after the tabernacle was completed. It's crucial to understand the context:

The Context: The entire chapter of Numbers 7 describes the offerings each of the twelve tribal leaders made to the tabernacle and its service. These offerings were in the form of wagons and oxen.

The Sons of Merari: The Merarites were one of the three major families (clans) of the Levites. The Levites were the tribe set apart for service in the tabernacle. The Merarites had specific responsibilities, primarily dealing with the heavier structural elements of the tabernacle (like the frames, bars, pillars, and bases). Their work was physically demanding.

The Significance of Wagons and Oxen: Wagons and oxen were vital for transporting the heavy components of the tabernacle whenever the Israelites moved camp. This was not a light task, and the Merarites' work was essential to the mobility of the tabernacle and, by extension, Israel's journey.

"According to their Service": This phrase is key. It indicates that the number of wagons and oxen assigned to the Merarites was determined by the amount of work they had to do. Because they were responsible for the heaviest components of the tabernacle, they received more wagons and oxen than the Gershonites, who were responsible for the coverings and curtains, and less than the Kohathites, who did not receive any.

Ithamar the Son of Aaron the Priest: Ithamar, a son of Aaron (the high priest), was in charge of overseeing the work of the Levites, including the Merarites. This demonstrates that the distribution was organized and supervised by a designated leader to ensure everyone received what they needed to perform their duties efficiently.

In essence, the verse means:

The tribal leaders' offerings included four wagons and eight oxen, which were given specifically to the family of Merari among the Levites. This distribution was not arbitrary; it was carefully allocated according to the demanding nature of the Merarites' duties, which involved transporting the heaviest parts of the tabernacle. Ithamar, son of Aaron, was responsible for overseeing and managing this allocation to ensure the Merarites could adequately perform their assigned tasks.

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