And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.

NUMBERS 3:26KJV
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Numbers 3:26 (KJV)

What does Numbers 3:26 mean?

Numbers 3:26 lists the specific items of the tabernacle area that a certain group of Levites was responsible for: the hangings (curtains) of the courtyard, the curtain at the entrance, everything around the tabernacle and altar, and the cords used for service. This verse details their assigned duties in caring for and transporting these parts of the sanctuary.

In Numbers 3, God is giving Moses instructions about the roles of the Levite families in relation to the tabernacle, the sacred tent where Israel worshiped during their journey in the wilderness. Numbers 3:26 focuses on the Merarite clan, explaining exactly which parts of the tabernacle's outer area they must handle. This careful division of labor shows how organized and sacred the care of the tabernacle was meant to be.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 3:26

  • "Hangings" (קְלָעִים, qela'im) refers to the woven curtains that formed the walls of the courtyard, marking the sacred space around the tabernacle. This word highlights that the Levites cared for not just the tent itself, but also its boundaries.
  • "Court" (חָצֵר, chatzer) means the open area surrounding the tabernacle, emphasizing that the Levites' duties extended beyond the inner sanctuary to the whole sacred enclosure.
  • "Curtain" (מָסָךְ, masakh) is the screen or veil at the entrance to the courtyard, showing the importance of guarding the main access point to the holy area.
  • "Cords" (מֵיתָר, metar) refers to the ropes used to secure the hangings and curtains, underlining the practical, behind-the-scenes work needed to maintain the tabernacle's structure.

Why Numbers 3:26 matters

  • Numbers 3:26 clarifies that the Levites' responsibilities included not just the main tent but also the outer areas and all related equipment, showing the thoroughness of their service.
  • This verse helps the reader see how every detail of the tabernacle's setup was assigned and valued, reflecting the seriousness of worship and order in Israel's community life.
  • By listing these specific duties, Numbers 3:26 connects to the broader passage about the Levites' roles, helping explain why each family group was needed and what their daily work involved.

Where else these words appear

“cords” Hebrew H4340 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 35:18 The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,
  • Numbers 3:37 And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.
  • Psalms 21:12 Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.

“hangings” Hebrew H7050 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 27:9 And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:
  • Exodus 38:12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
  • 1 Samuel 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

“curtain” Hebrew H4539 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 26:36 And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.
  • Exodus 39:34 And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,
  • Numbers 3:25 And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,

“service” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • 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,
  • 1 Chronicles 23:26 And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.