Numbers 4:12
New International Version
“They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.

New Living Translation
They must take all the remaining furnishings of the sanctuary and wrap them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine goatskin leather, and place them on the carrying frame.

English Standard Version
And they shall take all the vessels of the service that are used in the sanctuary and put them in a cloth of blue and cover them with a covering of goatskin and put them on the carrying frame.

Berean Standard Bible
They are to take all the utensils for serving in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather, and put them on the carrying frame.

King James Bible
And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar:

New King James Version
Then they shall take all the utensils of service with which they minister in the sanctuary, put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of badger skins, and put them on a carrying beam.

New American Standard Bible
and they shall take all the utensils of service, with which they serve in the sanctuary, and put them in a violet cloth and cover them with a covering of fine leather, and put them on the carrying bars.

NASB 1995
and they shall take all the utensils of service, with which they serve in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth and cover them with a covering of porpoise skin, and put them on the carrying bars.

NASB 1977
and they shall take all the utensils of service, with which they serve in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth and cover them with a covering of porpoise skin, and put them on the carrying bars.

Legacy Standard Bible
and they shall take all the utensils of ministry, with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth and cover them with a covering of porpoise skin and put them on the carrying bars.

Amplified Bible
and they shall take all the utensils of the service with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, and cover them with a covering of porpoise skin, and put them on the carrying bars.

Christian Standard Bible
They are to take all the serving utensils they use in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering made of fine leather, and put them on a carrying frame.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They are to take all the serving utensils they use in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering made of manatee skin, and put them on a carrying frame.”

American Standard Version
and they shall take all the vessels of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame.

Contemporary English Version
Next, Aaron and his sons will take blue cloth and wrap all the objects used in worship at the sacred tent. These will need to be covered with a piece of fine leather, then placed on a carrying frame.

English Revised Version
and they shall take all the vessels of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"They will take all the articles that are used in the holy place, put them in a violet cloth, cover that with fine leather, and put them on a frame to carry them.

Good News Translation
They shall take all the utensils used in the Holy Place, wrap them in a blue cloth, put a fine leather cover over them, and place them on a carrying frame.

International Standard Version
Then they are to take all the utensils for service with which they minister at the sanctuary, set them on the blue cloth, cover them with the leather-dyed skin covering, and then set them on the beams for transport.

Majority Standard Bible
They are to take all the utensils for serving in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather, and put them on the carrying frame.

NET Bible
Then they must take all the utensils of the service, with which they serve in the sanctuary, put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of fine leather, and put them on a carrying beam.

New Heart English Bible
They shall take all the vessels of ministry, with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar.

World English Bible
“They shall take all the vessels of ministry with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and have taken all the vessels of ministry with which they minister in the holy place, and have put [them] into a garment of blue, and have covered them with a covering of tachash skin, and have put [them] on the bar,

Young's Literal Translation
and have taken all the vessels of ministry wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and have put them unto a garment of blue, and have covered them with a covering of badger skin, and have put them on the bar,

Smith's Literal Translation
And they shall take all the vessels of the service which they shall serve in them in the holy place, and they gave to the garment of cerulean purple, and they covered them in a tahash skin covering, and they gave upon the bar.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All the vessels wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, they shall wrap up in a cloth of violet, and shall spread over it a cover of violet skins, and put in the bars.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All the vessels with which they minister in the Sanctuary they shall wrap in a cloth of hyacinth, and they shall extend over it a covering of violet skins, and they shall draw in the bars.

New American Bible
Taking the utensils of the sanctuary service, they shall put them all in violet cloth and cover them with a covering of yellow-orange skin. They shall then place them on a litter.

New Revised Standard Version
and they shall take all the utensils of the service that are used in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, and cover them with a covering of fine leather, and put them on the carrying frame.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they shall take all the vessels of the ministry wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on poles;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they shall take all of the implements of ministry with which they minister in holiness and they will put them in a robe of dark blue and they shall cover them in a cover of leather of sky blue and they will put them on poles.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they shall take all the vessels of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on a bar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they shall take all the instruments of service, with which they minister in the sanctuary: and shall place them in a cloth of blue, and shall cover them with blue skin covering, and put them upon staves.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Duties of the Kohathites
11Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles. 12They are to take all the utensils for serving in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather, and put them on the carrying frame. 13Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it,…

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 31:7-9
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 37:16
He also made the utensils for the table out of pure gold: its plates and dishes, as well as its bowls and pitchers for pouring drink offerings.

Exodus 39:33-41
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; / the ark of the Testimony with its poles and the mercy seat; ...

Exodus 40:9-10
Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy. / Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy.

Leviticus 8:10-11
Next, Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it; and so he consecrated them. / He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them.

1 Kings 7:48-50
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; / the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right side and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs; / the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple.

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; ...

2 Chronicles 5:1
So all the work that Solomon had performed for the house of the LORD was completed. Then Solomon brought in the items his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and all the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the house of God.

Hebrews 9:21
In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship.

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.

Hebrews 8:5
The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Hebrews 9:23
So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Revelation 8:3-5
Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. / And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel. / Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.


Treasury of Scripture

And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar:

Numbers 4:7,9
And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: …

Numbers 3:8
And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.

Exodus 25:9
According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Jump to Previous
Articles Badgers Bar Bars Blue Carrying Cloth Cover Covered Covering Frame Garment Goatskin Hides Holy Instruments Leather Minister Ministering Ministry Pole Porpoise Sanctuary Sea Sealskin Serve Service Skin Skins Used Utensils Vessels Wherewith Wrap
Jump to Next
Articles Badgers Bar Bars Blue Carrying Cloth Cover Covered Covering Frame Garment Goatskin Hides Holy Instruments Leather Minister Ministering Ministry Pole Porpoise Sanctuary Sea Sealskin Serve Service Skin Skins Used Utensils Vessels Wherewith Wrap
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














Then they are to take
This phrase indicates a specific instruction given to the Levites, particularly the Kohathites, who were responsible for the most sacred duties in the Tabernacle. The Hebrew root for "take" is "laqach," which implies a careful and deliberate action. This reflects the reverence and precision required in handling holy objects, emphasizing the sanctity and order God demands in worship.

all the utensils for serving in the sanctuary
The "utensils" refer to the sacred tools used in the service of the Tabernacle, such as bowls, pans, and other implements necessary for the rituals. The Hebrew word "kli" denotes not just ordinary tools but those set apart for divine service. This highlights the importance of consecration and purity in worship, as these items were dedicated solely for God's use, symbolizing the holiness required in approaching God.

place them in a blue cloth
The "blue cloth" is significant, as blue in the Bible often symbolizes heaven, divinity, and the commandments of God (as seen in Numbers 15:38-39). The Hebrew word for blue, "tekeleth," is associated with the sky and the divine. Covering the utensils with a blue cloth signifies their heavenly purpose and the divine nature of the service they are used for, reminding the Israelites of God's presence and authority.

cover them with fine leather
The "fine leather" is translated from the Hebrew "tachash," which is a term that has sparked much debate among scholars. It is often thought to refer to a durable, protective material, possibly from a sea creature. This covering served to protect the holy items from the elements and from being seen by unauthorized eyes, symbolizing the need for safeguarding the sacred and maintaining the mystery and reverence of God's holiness.

and put them on a carrying frame
The "carrying frame" or "pole" (Hebrew "mot") was used to transport the holy items without direct contact, as touching them could result in death (Numbers 4:15). This method of transport underscores the separation between the holy and the common, illustrating the concept of God's holiness being set apart and the need for mediation between God and man. It also foreshadows the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between humanity and the divine.

Verse 12. - All the instruments of ministry. These do not seem to be, at any rate exclusively, the vessels pertaining to the golden altar. They are not packed up with it, but separately, in a blue cloth and a skin covering of their own. Probably they include all the vessels and utensils used inside the tabernacle which have not been previously mentioned.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They are to take
וְלָקְחוּ֩ (wə·lā·qə·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3947: To take

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the utensils
כְּלֵ֨י (kə·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

for serving
הַשָּׁרֵ֜ת (haš·šā·rêṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8335: (religious) ministry

in the sanctuary,
בַּקֹּ֗דֶשׁ (baq·qō·ḏeš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

place
וְנָֽתְנוּ֙ (wə·nā·ṯə·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them in
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

a blue
תְּכֵ֔לֶת (tə·ḵê·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8504: The cerulean mussel, the color, obtained therefrom, stuff dyed therewith

cloth,
בֶּ֣גֶד (be·ḡeḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

cover
וְכִסּ֣וּ (wə·ḵis·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

them
אוֹתָ֔ם (’ō·w·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

with
בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה (bə·miḵ·sêh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4372: A covering, weatherboarding

fine leather,
תָּ֑חַשׁ (tā·ḥaš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8476: Perhaps porpoise (a kind of leather or skin)

and put
וְנָתְנ֖וּ (wə·nā·ṯə·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a carrying frame.
הַמּֽוֹט׃ (ham·mō·wṭ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4132: A wavering, fall, a pole, a yoke


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OT Law: Numbers 4:12 They shall take all the vessels (Nu Num.)
Numbers 4:11
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