Numbers 4 Summary: A Concise Overview in 5 Minutes

Numbers 4 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Numbers 1:1 tells us these events began on the 2nd month, in the 2nd year after Israel left Egypt, which would place the date at approximately 1490-1489 B.C.

• The entire book of Leviticus covers only about 1 months’ time. Numbers will cover almost 40 years.

CHARACTERS:

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words to the people.    

• Aaron – Moses’ brother. He was a Levite and the High Priest over the nation of Israel. 

• Aaron’s Sons – Eleazar and Ithamar served with their father as priests.

• The Families of the Levites – Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

WHERE:

• According to the book of Leviticus and Numbers 3:1, the Israelites were camped in the wilderness of Sinai, near Mount Sinai.

OUTLINE:

• THE SERVICE OF THE FAMILY OF KOHATH (4:1-20):

  • When God directed the Israelites to break camp and move to a new location, Aaron and his sons were to enter the Tabernacle and cover the holy items with cloth coverings.

  • The Kohathites were responsible for transporting the holy items (Ark, table, altar, etc.) but they were not to touch any of them or look at them before the priests covered them.

  • The items were to be carried using special poles. Anyone who touched one of the holy items would die.

• THE SERVICE OF THE FAMILY OF GERSHON (4:21-28):

  • The Gershonites were tasked with “serving and bearing burdens.”

  • When the camp of Israel moved, they were responsible for transporting the curtains, coverings, screens, hangings, cords, and other “equipment” for the Tabernacle.

• THE SERVICE OF THE FAMILY OF MERARI (4:29-33):

  • The Merarites were responsible for transporting the Tabernacle’s frames (walls), bars, pillars, bases, pegs, cords, and other accessories.

  • The men from Merari were under the direction of Ithamar, Aaron’s son.

• CENSUS OF THE LEVITES FIT FOR TABERNACLE SERVICE (4:34-49):

  • To be fit for service at the Tabernacle, a Levite man had to be between 30-50 years old.

  • Within the family of Kohath, 2,750 men were eligible.

  • Within the family of Gershon, 2,630 men were eligible.

  • Within the family of Merari, 3,200 men were eligible.

  • In total, 8,580 Levite men were eligible to serve.

DIAGRAM OF THE CAMP OF ISRAEL:

DIAGRAM OF THE TABERNACLE: