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Thursday, August 7th, 2025
the Week of Proper 13 / Ordinary 18
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Contemporary English Version

Numbers 4:15

When the camp is ready to be moved, the Kohathites will be responsible for carrying the sacred objects and the furnishings of the sacred tent. But Aaron and his sons must have already covered those things so the Kohathites won't touch them and die.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Altar;   Ark;   Candlestick;   Levites;   Priest;   Shewbread (Showbread);   Tabernacle;   Thompson Chain Reference - Kohath;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ark of the Covenant;   Levites, the;   Priests;   Tabernacle;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Kohath;   Levites;   Tabernacle;   Uzzah;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Eleazar;   Tabernacle;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Burden;   Oil;   Touch;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Eleazar;   Uzzah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Kohath;   Levites;   Perez-Uzza;   Priest;   Punishments;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Kohathites;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Burden;   Kohath, Kohathites;   Moses;   Numbers, Book of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Badgers' Skins;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Table;   Uzzah;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Aaron;   Koliath;   Tabernacle;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Le'vites;   Priest;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Burden;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Priesthood, the;   Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Burden;   Die;   Priests and Levites;   Punishments;   Tabernacle;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Ark of the Covenant;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
"When Aharon and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp moves forward; after that, the sons of Kehat shall come to carry it: but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kehat in the Tent of Meeting.
King James Version
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Lexham English Bible
And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the vessels of the sanctuary when the camp sets out, the descendants of Kohath will come after to carry these, but they must not touch the sanctuary, or they will die. These are the load of the descendants of Kohath in the tent of assembly.
New Century Version
"When the Israelites are ready to move, and when Aaron and his sons have covered the holy furniture and all the holy things, the Kohathites may go in and carry them away. In this way they won't touch the holy things and die. It is the Kohathites' job to carry the things that are in the Meeting Tent.
New English Translation
"When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is ready to journey, then the Kohathites will come to carry them; but they must not touch any holy thing, or they will die. These are the responsibilities of the Kohathites with the tent of meeting.
Amplified Bible
"When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all its furniture, as the camp sets out, after all that [is done, but not before], the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them [using the poles], so that they do not touch the holy things, and die. These are the things in the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle) which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
New American Standard Bible
"When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them by the poles, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And when Aaron and his sonnes haue made an ende of couering the Sanctuarie, and al the instruments of the Sanctuarie, at the remouing of the host, afterward the sonnes of Kohath shall come to beare it, but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they dye. This is the charge of the sonnes of Kohath in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.
Legacy Standard Bible
When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the tent of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
Complete Jewish Bible
When Aharon and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy utensils, when the camp is about to move forward, then the descendants of K'hat are to come and carry them. But they are not to touch the holy things, so that they won't die. These things are the responsibility of the descendants of K'hat in the tent of meeting.
Darby Translation
And when Aaron and his sons have ended covering the sanctuary, and all the utensils of the sanctuary, when the camp setteth forward, then afterwards the sons of Kohath shall come to carry it; but they shall not touch the holy things, lest they die. This is what the sons of Kohath have to carry in the tent of meeting.
Easy-to-Read Version
"Aaron and his sons must finish covering all the holy things in the Holy Place. Then the men from the Kohath family can go in and begin carrying these things. In this way they will not touch the holy things and die.
English Standard Version
And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry.
George Lamsa Translation
And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to march after that, the sons of Kohath shall come in to bear it, that they may not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are to be borne by the sons of Kohath in the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Good News Translation
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Christian Standard Bible®
“Aaron and his sons are to finish covering the holy objects and all their equipment whenever the camp is to move on. The Kohathites will come and carry them, but they are not to touch the holy objects or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the tent of meeting.
Literal Translation
And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary, and all the sanctuary vessels as the camp pulls up stakes , then afterward the sons of Kohath shall come to bear. And they shall not touch the holy thing, that they may not die. These are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Now whan Aaron and his sonnes haue done this, and haue couered the Sanctuary & all the ornametes therof, whan the hoost breaketh vp, then shal the children of Rahath go in, that they maye beare it, and the Sanctuary shall they not touche, lest they dye. This is the charge of the childre of Rahath in the Tabernacle of wytnesse.
American Standard Version
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp is set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
Bible in Basic English
And after the holy place and all its vessels have been covered up by Aaron and his sons, when the tents of the people go forward, the sons of Kohath are to come and take it up; but the holy things may not be touched by them for fear of death.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And when Aaron & his sonnes haue made an ende of couering the sanctuarie, and all the vessels of the sanctuarie, agaynst that the hoast remoue, then the sonnes of Caath shall come in for to beare: but they shall not touche any holye thyng, lest they dye. And this is the charge of the sonnes of Caath, in the tabernacle of the congregation.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the holy furniture, and all the holy vessels, as the camp is to set forward--after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear them; but they shall not touch the holy things, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
King James Version (1611)
And when Aaron and his sonnes haue made an end of couering the Sanctuary, and all the vessels of the Sanctuary, as the campe is to set forward; after that, the sonnes of Kohath shall come to beare it: but they shal not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sonnes of Kohath in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Aaron and his sons shall finish covering the holy things, and all the holy vessels, when the camp begins to move; and afterwards the sons of Caath shall go in to take up the furniture; but shall not touch the holy things, lest they die: these shall the sons of Caath bear in the tabernacle of witness.
English Revised Version
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
Berean Standard Bible
When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And whanne Aaron and hise sones han wlappid the seyntuarie, and alle vessels therof, in the mouyng of tentis, thanne the sones of Caath schulen entre, that thei bere the thingis wlappid, and touche not the vessels of the seyntuarie, lest thei dien.
Young's Literal Translation
`And Aaron hath finished -- his sons also -- covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, in the journeying of the camp, and afterwards do the sons of Kohath come in to bear [it], and they do not come unto the holy thing, that they have died; these [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
Update Bible Version
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp is set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch the sanctuary, or they will die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
Webster's Bible Translation
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to move forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
World English Bible
"When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp moves forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to carry it: but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting.
New King James Version
And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. "These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
New Living Translation
The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites must carry.
New Life Bible
Aaron and his sons will finish covering the holy objects and all the things of the meeting tent, as the people move on. After that the sons of Kohath will come to carry them. In this way they will not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the meeting tent which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
New Revised Standard
When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the Kohathites shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, or they will die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the Kohathites are to carry.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So shall Aaron and his sons make an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the utensils of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set forward, then after that, shall the sons of Kohath enter to bear it, but they must not put forth a touch unto that which, is holy, else should they die, these, shall be the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Aaron and his sons have wrapped up the sanctuary and the vessels thereof at the removing of the camp, then shall the sons of Caath enter in to carry the things wrapped up: and they shall not touch the vessels of the sanctuary, lest they die. These are the burdens of the sons of Caath: in the tabernacle of the covenant:
Revised Standard Version
And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
THE MESSAGE
"When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and the camp is ready to set out, the Kohathites are to come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are in charge of carrying all the things that are in the Tent of Meeting.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the tent of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.

Contextual Overview

1 The Lord told Moses and Aaron: 2Find out how many men between the ages of thirty and fifty are in the four Levite clans of Kohath. Count only those who are able to work at the sacred tent. 4 The Kohathites will be responsible for carrying the sacred objects used in worship at the sacred tent. 5 When the Israelites are ready to move their camp, Aaron and his sons will enter the tent and take down the curtain that separates the sacred chest from the rest of the tent. They will cover the chest with this curtain, 6 and then with a piece of fine leather, and cover it all with a solid blue cloth. After this they will put the carrying poles in place. 7 Next, Aaron and his sons will use another blue cloth to cover the table for the sacred bread. On the cloth they will place the dishes, the bowls for incense, the cups, the jugs for wine, as well as the bread itself. 8 They are to cover all of this with a bright red cloth, and then with a piece of fine leather, before putting the carrying poles in place. 9 With another blue cloth they will cover the lampstand, along with the lamps, the lamp snuffers, the fire pans, and the jars of oil for the lamps. 10 All of this will then be covered with a piece of fine leather and placed on a carrying frame. 11 The gold incense altar is to be covered with a blue cloth, and then with a piece of fine leather, before its carrying poles are put in place.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

after that: Numbers 7:9, Numbers 10:21, Deuteronomy 31:9, Joshua 4:10, 2 Samuel 6:13, 1 Chronicles 15:2, 1 Chronicles 15:15

they shall: Numbers 3:38, Exodus 19:12, 1 Samuel 6:19, 2 Samuel 6:6, 2 Samuel 6:7, 1 Chronicles 13:9, 1 Chronicles 13:10, Hebrews 12:18-29

These things: Numbers 3:30, Numbers 3:31

Reciprocal: Exodus 37:4 - staves Exodus 37:5 - General Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt Numbers 3:8 - General Numbers 4:4 - General Numbers 4:5 - Aaron shall come Numbers 4:20 - they shall Numbers 4:24 - burdens Numbers 4:47 - every one Numbers 4:49 - every one Numbers 18:2 - but thou Numbers 18:3 - neither Deuteronomy 10:8 - bear Joshua 3:3 - the priests 1 Samuel 4:4 - with the ark 2 Samuel 15:24 - bearing 1 Kings 8:3 - the priests took up 1 Chronicles 9:11 - the ruler 1 Chronicles 13:7 - carried the ark 1 Chronicles 15:13 - for that 2 Chronicles 5:4 - the Levites 2 Chronicles 35:3 - not be Revelation 11:19 - the ark

Cross-References

Genesis 4:24
Anyone who tries to get even with me will be punished ten times more than anyone who tries to get even with Cain."
Leviticus 26:18
Then, if you still refuse to obey me, I will punish you seven times for each of your sins,
Leviticus 26:21
If you keep rebelling against me, I'll punish you seven times worse, just as your sins deserve!
Leviticus 26:24
I'll remain your enemy and punish you even worse.
Leviticus 26:28
I'll really get furious and punish you terribly for your sins!
Psalms 59:11
Don't kill them, or everyone may forget! Just use your mighty power to make them tremble and fall. You are a shield for your people.
Psalms 79:12
Each of those nations sneered at you, our Lord. Now let others sneer at them, seven times as much.
Proverbs 6:31
And thieves who get caught must pay back seven times what was stolen and lose everything.
Ezekiel 9:4
"Walk through the city of Jerusalem and mark the forehead of anyone who is truly upset and sad about the disgusting things that are being done here."
Hosea 1:4
Then the Lord said, "Hosea, name your son Jezreel, because I will soon punish the descendants of King Jehu of Israel for the murders he committed in Jezreel Valley. I will destroy his kingdom,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And when Aaron and his sons had made an end of covering the sanctuary,.... Not the holy place, nor the most holy place, for these were not covered by them; but "the holy things" in them, as the Septuagint version, the ark, shewbread table, c. and all "the vessels of the sanctuary" all appertaining to those holy things, which are before mentioned. Jarchi interprets the "sanctuary", or the "holiness", of the ark and altar,

and all the vessels of the sanctuary; of the candlestick and the instruments of ministry:

as the camp is to set forward; which made the covering of them necessary, in order to their being carried as that moved:

after that the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]; or rather them, all the holy things, and their vessels, and that upon their shoulders:

but they shall not touch [any] holy thing; even in bearing them, neither the ark nor any other, only the staves and bar, on which they were carried: lest they die; by the immediate hand of God:

these [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath, in the tabernacle of the congregation; the above things, the ark, &c. which they were to bear on their shoulders, and not make use of wagons to carry them.


 
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