And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

NUMBERS 4:16KJV
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Numbers 4:16 (KJV)

What does Numbers 4:16 mean?

Numbers 4:16 explains that Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, was responsible for overseeing several important items and duties in the tabernacle, including the oil for the lamp, the incense, the daily grain offering, the anointing oil, and the care of all the sanctuary and its vessels. This verse sets out Eleazar’s specific role in managing the holy things used in Israel’s worship.

In this part of the book of Numbers, God is giving Moses instructions about the duties of the priests and Levites as they care for the tabernacle during Israel’s time in the wilderness. Eleazar, as the eldest son of Aaron, is given a leadership role with special oversight over the most sacred items and rituals, highlighting his importance among the priests.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 4:16

  • The word for "office" (פְּקֻדָּה, pəquddāh) is also used for "oversight" later in the verse, emphasizing that Eleazar’s role is not just about performing tasks, but about supervising and being responsible for the whole sanctuary.
  • "Oil" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen) for the "light" (מָאוֹר, ma’or) refers to the oil used in the lampstand, a key symbol of God’s presence in the tabernacle.
  • "Sweet incense" (קְטֹרֶת הַסַּמִּים, qetoret hassammim) points to the special blend of incense burned daily, which was a sign of the prayers of the people rising to God.
  • "Anointing oil" (שֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה, shemen hammishchah) was used to consecrate priests and objects, setting them apart as holy for God’s service.

Why Numbers 4:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Eleazar’s responsibilities were not just ceremonial but involved real leadership and oversight, showing the structure and order God set for Israel’s worship.
  • By naming the specific items under Eleazar’s care, the verse highlights how seriously God’s people were to treat the objects and rituals connected to His worship.
  • Numbers 4:16 connects to the wider passage by showing how the work of the priests and Levites was divided, ensuring that everything in the tabernacle was handled with care and respect.

Where else these words appear

“sweet” Hebrew H5561 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
  • Exodus 35:8 And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
  • Exodus 40:27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.

“light” Hebrew H3974 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
  • Exodus 35:8 And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
  • Numbers 4:9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:

“anointing” Hebrew H4888 · used in 24 verses

  • Exodus 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
  • Exodus 35:8 And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
  • Leviticus 8:2 Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;

“office” Hebrew H6486 · used in 31 verses

  • Numbers 3:32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
  • Jeremiah 23:12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.