And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:

NUMBERS 4:5KJV
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Numbers 4:5 (KJV)

What does Numbers 4:5 mean?

Numbers 4:5 describes how, when the Israelites were about to move camp, Aaron and his sons were responsible for taking down the special curtain (the "covering vail") and using it to cover the ark of testimony. This verse shows the careful process for handling the most sacred object in the tabernacle during travel.

God is giving Moses instructions for the Levites, specifically the duties of Aaron and his sons, who are priests. The "ark of testimony" was the chest that held the tablets of the law, and the "covering vail" was a curtain that separated the most holy place from the rest of the tabernacle. Only Aaron and his sons could approach and cover the ark, highlighting its holiness and the need for reverence.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 4:5

  • "Covering vail" is פָּרֹכֶת (parokhet), which means a curtain or screen. This was not just any cloth but the special curtain that separated the Holy of Holies, emphasizing the sacredness of the ark.
  • "Cover" is כָּסָה (kasah), meaning to conceal or hide. The act of covering the ark shows the need to shield it from view, underlining its set-apart status.
  • "Ark" is אָרוֹן (aron), meaning chest or box, but here it refers specifically to the ark of the covenant, the central symbol of God's presence.
  • "Testimony" is עֵדוּת (edut), which means witness or testimony, referring to the stone tablets inside the ark that bore the law given to Moses.

Why Numbers 4:5 matters

  • Numbers 4:5 clarifies that only Aaron and his sons, not the other Levites, could handle the most sacred objects, showing a clear distinction in priestly roles.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness and care required in moving the ark, preventing casual or disrespectful handling.
  • This instruction connects to the broader theme in Numbers 4, where God gives detailed roles to different Levite families, highlighting order and reverence in worship.

Where else these words appear

“vail” Hebrew H6532 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 26:31 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 38:27 And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.
  • Leviticus 4:17 And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.

“covering” 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,

“testimony” Hebrew H5715 · used in 57 verses

  • Exodus 16:34 As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.
  • Exodus 40:20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
  • 1 Chronicles 29:19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

“forward” Hebrew H5265 · used in 140 verses

  • Genesis 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
  • Numbers 10:25 And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
  • Numbers 33:32 And they removed from Benejaakan, and encamped at Horhagidgad.