Numbers 3:31
New International Version
They were responsible for the care of the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain, and everything related to their use.

New Living Translation
These four clans were responsible for the care of the Ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the various articles used in the sanctuary, the inner curtain, and all the equipment related to their use.

English Standard Version
And their guard duty involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which the priests minister, and the screen; all the service connected with these.

Berean Standard Bible
Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.

King James Bible
And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.

New King James Version
Their duty included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the screen, and all the work relating to them.

New American Standard Bible
Now their duties included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they minister, the curtain, and all the service concerning them;

NASB 1995
Now their duties involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all the service concerning them;

NASB 1977
Now their duties involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all the service concerning them;

Legacy Standard Bible
Now their responsibility involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all the service concerning them;

Amplified Bible
Now their responsibilities involved the ark, the table [on which the bread of the Presence was placed], the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which the priests minister, and the curtain, and all the service concerning them.

Christian Standard Bible
Their duties involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the sanctuary utensils that were used with these, and the screen —and all the work relating to them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Their duties involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the sanctuary utensils that were used with these, and the screen—and all the work relating to them.

American Standard Version
And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the screen, and all the service thereof.

Contemporary English Version
Their duties at the tent included taking care of the sacred chest, the table for the sacred bread, the lampstand, the altars, the objects used for worship, and the curtain in front of the most holy place. The Kohathites were responsible for setting these things up and taking them down.

English Revised Version
And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the screen, and all the service thereof.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They were in charge of the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, the utensils used in the holy place, and the screen. They took care of all these things.

Good News Translation
They were responsible for the Covenant Box, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils the priests use in the Holy Place, and the curtain at the entrance to the Most Holy Place. They were responsible for all the service connected with these items.

International Standard Version
Their duties pertained to the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, and all the curtains in use.

Majority Standard Bible
Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.

NET Bible
Their responsibilities included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the curtain, and all their service.

New Heart English Bible
Their duty shall be the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all its service.

Webster's Bible Translation
And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the hanging, and all the service of it.

World English Bible
Their duty shall be the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, the screen, and all its service.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And their charge [is] the Ark, and the table, and the lampstand, and the altars, and the vessels of the holy place with which they serve, and the veil, and all its service.

Young's Literal Translation
And their charge is the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary with which they serve, and the vail, and all its service.

Smith's Literal Translation
And their watches, the ark, and the table, and the chandelier, and the altar, and the vessels of the holy place which they shall serve in them, and the covering and all its works.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they shall keep the ark, and the table and the candlestick, the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary, wherewith they minister, and the veil, and all the furniture of this kind.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they shall take care of the ark, and the table and the lampstand, the altars and the vessels of the Sanctuary, by which they minister, and the veil, and all the articles of this kind.

New American Bible
Their responsibility was the ark, the table, the menorah, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which the priests minister, the veil, and everything pertaining to their maintenance.

New Revised Standard Version
Their responsibility was to be the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which the priests minister, and the screen—all the service pertaining to these.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And their charge shall be the ark and the table and the candlestick and the altars and the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister and the curtain of the door and all the service thereof.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And their charge: the Ark and the table and the menorahs and the altar and the implements of holiness with which they serve, and the door curtain and all its service.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and their charge the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith the priests minister, and the screen, and all that pertaineth to the service thereof;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And their charge was the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and all the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they do holy service, and the veil, and all their works.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Kohathites
30and the leader of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan son of Uzziel. 31Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain— all the service for these items. 32The chief of the leaders of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest; he oversaw those responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.…

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 37:1-9
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. ...

1 Kings 8:6-9
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. / For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. / The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. ...

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Exodus 25:23-30
You are also to make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. / Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. / And make a rim around it a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. ...

Exodus 37:10-16
He also made the table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. / He overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. / And he made a rim around it a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. ...

1 Kings 7:48
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD: the golden altar; the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence;

Exodus 25:31-40
Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. / Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. / There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand. ...

Exodus 37:17-24
Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. / Six branches extended from the sides, three on one side and three on the other. / There were three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extended from the 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; ...

Hebrews 9:2
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.

Exodus 26:1-14
“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 36:8-19
All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. / Each curtain was twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide; all the curtains were the same size. / And he joined five of the curtains together, and the other five he joined as well. ...

Exodus 40:3-5
Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil. / Then bring in the table and set out its arrangement; bring in the lampstand as well, and set up its lamps. / Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:21-27
Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle, put up the veil for the screen, and shielded off the ark of the Testimony, just as the LORD had commanded him. / Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil. / He arranged the bread on it before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.

the ark

Numbers 4:4-16
This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things: …

Exodus 25:10-40
And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof…

Exodus 31:1
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

the altars

Exodus 37:1-8
And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it: …

Exodus 30:1-10
And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it…

Exodus 37:25-29
And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same…

and the hanging

Exodus 26:31-33
And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: …

Exodus 36:35,36
And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work…

Jump to Previous
Altars Ark Articles Belongs Candlestick Care Charge Curtain Duties Hanging Holy Involved Lamp Minister Ministered Ministering Pertaineth Pertaining Priests Related Responsible Sanctuary Screen Serve Service Stand Table Thereof Used Utensils Vail Veil Vessels Wherewith
Jump to Next
Altars Ark Articles Belongs Candlestick Care Charge Curtain Duties Hanging Holy Involved Lamp Minister Ministered Ministering Pertaineth Pertaining Priests Related Responsible Sanctuary Screen Serve Service Stand Table Thereof Used Utensils Vail Veil Vessels Wherewith
Numbers 3
1. The sons of Aaron
5. The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn
14. Are numbered by their families
21. The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites
27. Of the Kohathites
33. Of the Merarites
38. The place and charge of Moses and Aaron
40. The firstborn are freed by the Levites
44. The balances are refunded














They were responsible
This phrase refers to the Kohathites, one of the Levitical clans. The Hebrew root word for "responsible" is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which means to guard, keep, or watch over. This indicates a sacred duty, emphasizing the seriousness and honor of their role. The Kohathites were entrusted with the care of the most sacred objects, highlighting the importance of stewardship and faithfulness in service to God.

the ark
The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in the Israelite worship, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The Hebrew word for "ark" is "אֲרוֹן" (aron), which means chest or box. It contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. The Ark's significance is profound, representing God's covenant, His law, and His provision. The Kohathites' responsibility for the Ark underscores the reverence and holiness required in handling God's presence.

the table
This refers to the Table of Showbread, where the bread of the Presence was placed. The Hebrew word "שֻׁלְחָן" (shulchan) means table. It symbolizes God's provision and fellowship with His people. The bread, renewed weekly, signifies the sustenance and life that God provides. The Kohathites' duty to care for the table reflects the importance of maintaining a continual relationship with God.

the lampstand
The lampstand, or menorah, was a source of light in the Tabernacle. The Hebrew word "מְנוֹרָה" (menorah) signifies a lamp or light. It represents the light of God’s presence and guidance. The Kohathites' role in maintaining the lampstand highlights the necessity of keeping God's light burning in the hearts of His people, a call to spiritual vigilance and illumination.

the altars
The altars, including the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Altar of Incense, were central to Israelite worship. The Hebrew word "מִזְבֵּחַ" (mizbeach) means altar. These structures were places of sacrifice and prayer, symbolizing atonement and communion with God. The Kohathites' responsibility for the altars underscores the centrality of worship and the need for mediation between God and humanity.

the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering
This phrase encompasses all the sacred utensils and tools used in the service of the Tabernacle. The Hebrew word "כְּלִי" (kli) means vessel or instrument. These items were essential for the rituals and ceremonies, representing the practical aspects of worship. The Kohathites' duty to care for these articles highlights the importance of preparation and order in worship, ensuring that all is done according to God's instructions.

the curtain
The curtain, or veil, separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The Hebrew word "פָּרֹכֶת" (parochet) means veil or screen. It symbolizes the separation between God and humanity due to sin, a barrier that was ultimately torn at Christ's crucifixion. The Kohathites' role in handling the curtain points to the sacredness of approaching God and the reverence required in His presence.

and all the service for these items
This phrase indicates the comprehensive nature of the Kohathites' duties. The Hebrew word "עֲבֹדָה" (avodah) means service or work. It encompasses all aspects of their responsibilities, from transportation to maintenance. This highlights the holistic nature of worship, where every task, no matter how small, is an act of service to God. The Kohathites' faithful service is a model of dedication and devotion, reminding believers of the call to serve God with excellence in every aspect of life.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Their duties
וּמִשְׁמַרְתָּ֗ם (ū·miš·mar·tām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

[were] the ark,
הָאָרֹ֤ן (hā·’ā·rōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

the table,
וְהַשֻּׁלְחָן֙ (wə·haš·šul·ḥān)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7979: A table, a meal

the lampstand,
וְהַמְּנֹרָ֣ה (wə·ham·mə·nō·rāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4501: A chandelier

the altars,
וְהַֽמִּזְבְּחֹ֔ת (wə·ham·miz·bə·ḥōṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4196: An altar

the articles
וּכְלֵ֣י (ū·ḵə·lê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

of the sanctuary
הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ (haq·qō·ḏeš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

used with them,
יְשָׁרְת֖וּ (yə·šā·rə·ṯū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to

and the curtain—
וְהַ֨מָּסָ֔ךְ (wə·ham·mā·sāḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4539: A covering, screen

all
וְכֹ֖ל (wə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the service [for these items].
עֲבֹדָתֽוֹ׃ (‘ă·ḇō·ḏā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5656: Work of any kind


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OT Law: Numbers 3:31 Their duty shall be the ark (Nu Num.)
Numbers 3:30
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