Skip to reading
Atomic Bible
Numbers 4:21-28·~1 min

The Duties of the Gershonites

The LORD tells Moses to count the Gershonites by families and clans, again limiting the service to men from thirty to fifty years old.

A21nd the LORD said to Moses, 22“Take a census of the Gershonites as well, by their families and clans, 23from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

The Gershonites’ work is defined as carrying the tabernacle’s curtains, coverings, entrance screens, courtyard hangings, ropes, and related equipment.

24This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport: 25They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting with the covering of fine leather over it, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, 26the curtains of the courtyard, and the curtains for the entrance at the gate of the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, along with their ropes and all the equipment for their service. The Gershonites will do all that needs to be done with these items.

Their transport duties and other work are done at the direction of Aaron and his sons, under Ithamar’s oversight.

27All the service of the Gershonites — all their transport duties and other work — is to be done at the direction of Aaron and his sons; you are to assign to them all that they are responsible to carry. 28This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting, and their duties shall be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

Section summaryThe Gershonites are counted for service and given responsibility for the tabernacle’s curtains, coverings, ropes, and related equipment. Their work is practical and extensive, yet it remains fully ordered under priestly direction.
Role in the chapterThis section widens the chapter from the most holy objects to the tabernacle’s fabric structure. It shows that less dangerous work is still holy work, assigned and supervised within the same ordered system.