Numbers 4:31

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,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(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.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:21-33 We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and to be done regularly. All the things were delivered them by name. It intimates the care God takes of his church and every member of it. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the tabernacle, 2Co 5:1, and the putting it off, 2Pe 1:14. All shall be raised up in the great day, when these vile bodies shall be made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ, and so shall be for ever with the Lord.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The Gershonites and Merarites are superintended by Ithamar, Aaron's younger son, who had already had the oversight of the tabernacle in its construction Exodus 38:21. Thus, readily do the permanent offices of the leaders of the Israelite community spring out of the duties which, under the emergencies of the first year of the Exodus, they had been led, from time to time, to undertake.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

29-33. As for the sons of Merari—They carried the coarser and heavier appurtenances, which, however, were so important and necessary, that an inventory was kept of them—not only on account of their number and variety, but of their comparative commonness and smallness, which might have led to their being lost or missing through carelessness, inadvertency, or neglect. It was a useful lesson, showing that God disregards nothing pertaining to His service, and that even in the least and most trivial matters, He requires the duty of faithful obedience.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Which were as the feet upon which the pillars stood; of which see Exodus 38:27.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And this is the charge of their burden,.... What should be committed to their care and charge, and they should bear and carry:

according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; which was assigned to them as their part, and which was very heavy and cumbersome, and therefore they had wagons allowed them, Numbers 7:8,

the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof; all these belonged to the holy and to the most holy place; see Exodus 26:15.

Geneva Study 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,

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Pulpit Commentary

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. Numbers 4:31

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Numbers 4:31 and Numbers 4:32, like Numbers 3:36 and Numbers 3:37. "The charge of their burden" (their carrying), i.e., the things which it was their duty to carry.