1
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
The formula opens the Kohathite census instructions; ch. 4 is structured by three such 'YHWH spoke' formulas (vv. 1, 17, 21) dividing it into the three clans' assignments.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — opening the census instructions for the three Levitical clansדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the standard verb introducing divine legislative speech.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the recurring revelation formula.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipient of divine speech.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition אֶל (first addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator and lawgiver; the primary addressee of Numbers 4.
וְאֶֽלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (second addressee)The repeated preposition marks Aaron as co-addressee, since his sons will direct the covering of the holy things (vv. 5-15).
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of the preposition אֶל (second addressee)אַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother and high priest, whose sons direct the Kohathite covering-rite.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct marking direct discourse to follow→ Infinitive: introduces the cited divine speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the formulaic לֵאמֹר opens the quoted speech that follows.
2
נָשֹׂ֗א אֶת רֹאשׁ֙ בְּנֵ֣י קְהָ֔ת מִתּ֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י לֵוִ֑י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם
Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their clans, by their fathers' houses,
The idiom נָשֹׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ ('lift the head' = 'take a census') echoes the tribal muster formula of ch. 1, but here it is applied to Kohath's working-age men specifically rather than the tribe's fighting men.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
נָשֹׂ֗אtake up [a census of]Qal inf abs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Infinitive absolute used for the imperative (census formula)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic command — 'lift the head [count]'נָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, take'; נָשֹׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ is the idiom 'to lift the head' = 'to take a census' (cf. 1:2, 4:22).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks רֹאשׁ as the definite direct object; untranslated.
רֹאשׁ֙the sum ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Direct object (head of construct chain)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; here idiomatic for 'total, sum' in a census formula, as in 1:2.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chain (defining רֹאשׁ)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'the sons of Kohath' = the Kohathite clan.
קְהָ֔תKohathN proper · קְהָת (H6955)Genitive completing the construct chainקְהָת (H6955), second son of Levi (Gen 46:11), ancestor of the clan assigned the most holy furnishings.
מִתּ֖וֹךְfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Prepositional phrase (partitive, 'from among')תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; מִתּוֹךְ 'from among' situates Kohath as one clan within the larger tribe of Levi.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the prepositional phraseSecond occurrence of בֵּן (H1121) in the verse, now for the larger tribe of Levi.
לֵוִ֑יLeviN proper · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive completing the construct chainלֵוִי (H3878), third son of Jacob, ancestor of the priestly/cultic tribe.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖םby their clansprep לְ + N f pl constr + 3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Distributive prepositional phrase (census organizing category)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the census is organized first by clan, then by father's house.
לְבֵ֥יתby the house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Distributive prepositional phrase (second organizing category)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; בֵּית אָבוֹת 'father's house' is the finer sub-clan census category.
אֲבֹתָֽםtheir fathersN m pl constr + 3mp suff · אָב (H1)Genitive completing the construct chainאָב (H1) 'father'; בֵּית אֲבֹתָם 'the house of their fathers' — the patrilineal sub-unit used throughout the census.
3
מִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל בָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת מְלָאכָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד
from thirty years old and upward, even to fifty years old, everyone who enters the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting.
This thirty-to-fifty age bracket recurs verbatim for all three Levitical clans (vv. 23, 30, 35, 39, 43, 47), framing their carrying-service as active-duty labor distinct from both the priesthood and from the twenty-and-up militia census of ch. 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
מִבֶּ֨ןfrom the age ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Temporal prepositional phrase (lower bound of age range)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; מִבֶּן...שָׁנָה is the idiom 'from X years of age' marking the census threshold.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֤יםthirtycardinal number, common pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Numeral modifying שָׁנָה (lower age bound)שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; the minimum age for Levitical carrying-service (contrast the later lowering to twenty-five in 8:24).
שָׁנָה֙years oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive of measure (age)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'.
וָמַ֔עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv (directional ה) · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase extending the lower bound open-endedlyמַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward'; וָמַעְלָה extends the range open-endedly above thirty, before the following עַד clause fixes fifty as the actual ceiling.
וְעַ֖דand untilconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (upper bound)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; introduces the upper age limit.
בֶּןthe age ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of measure (upper bound)Second בֵּן (H1121) in the formula, now for the upper age limit.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣יםfiftycardinal number, common pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Numeral modifying שָׁנָה (upper age bound)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; the retirement age from active carrying-service (cf. 8:25).
שָׁנָ֑הyears oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive of measure (age)Second שָׁנָה (H8141), completing the 'thirty to fifty' bracket.
כָּלeveryone whoN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head, 'all who...')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; heads a substantival participle clause, 'everyone entering'.
בָּא֙who entersQal ptc ms · בּוֹא (H935)Attributive participle (defining כָּל, 'everyone who enters')→ Participle: characterizes ongoing eligibility for serviceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; describes those eligible 'to enter the service'.
לַצָּבָ֔אfor the serviceprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · צָבָא (H6635)Prepositional phrase (purpose, 'for the service/muster')צָבָא (H6635) 'host, army, service'; the levitical workforce is organized like a military muster, echoing the census language of ch. 1.
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive construct of purpose→ Infinitive: expresses the purpose of entering the serviceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; here 'to perform work' in the sanctuary.
מְלָאכָ֖הworkN f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Direct object of לַעֲשׂוֹתמְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work, task, service'; the labor of transporting the tabernacle.
בְּאֹ֥הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד 'tent of meeting' is the mobile sanctuary.
מוֹעֵֽדof meetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד designates the tent as the locus of appointed divine-human meeting.
4
זֹ֛את עֲבֹדַ֥ת בְּנֵי קְהָ֖ת בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד קֹ֖דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים
This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting: the most holy things.
The demonstrative formula 'this is the service of...' introduces each clan's task in turn (cf. vv. 24, 28, 31, 33), structuring the chapter as a triptych of parallel job descriptions.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
זֹ֛אתthisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject of the verbless clause (cataphoric)זֹאת (H2063), fem. sg. demonstrative; opens the summary formula for Kohath's assignment (cf. vv. 24, 28, 31, 33 for the Gershonite/Merarite parallels).
עֲבֹדַ֥תthe service ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, work', root עבד 'to serve'; the technical term for each clan's assigned task, used as a refrain throughout the chapter.
בְּנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121); 'the sons of Kohath' — the clan whose service is now defined.
קְהָ֖תKohathN proper · קְהָת (H6955)Genitive completing the construct chainקְהָת (H6955), see v. 2.
בְּאֹ֣הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168); locates the service specifically at the tent of meeting.
מוֹעֵ֑דof meetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150); see v. 3.
קֹ֖דֶשׁthe most holy thingsN m sg constr · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Nominal apposition specifying the service (first member of superlative construct)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacred thing'; קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים is the superlative idiom 'most holy', naming what Kohath carries — the ark, table, lampstand, altars.
הַקֳּדָשִֽׁיםthe holy [things]art + N m pl abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive completing the superlative construct ('most holy')Plural of קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) in the superlative idiom; the class of objects (ark, table, lampstand, altars, veil) reserved for Kohath's carrying alone.
5
וּבָ֨א אַהֲרֹ֤ן וּבָנָיו֙ בִּנְסֹ֣עַ הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וְהוֹרִ֕דוּ אֵ֖ת פָּרֹ֣כֶת הַמָּסָ֑ךְ וְכִ֨סּוּ בָ֔הּ אֵ֖ת אֲרֹ֥ן הָעֵדֻֽת
And when the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons shall come and take down the screening veil, and cover the ark of the testimony with it;
Verses 5-14 form one long weqatal chain detailing the priests' covering procedure for each holy object in turn (ark, table, lampstand, incense altar, altar of burnt offering), triggered by the infinitive clause 'when the camp sets out.'
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וּבָ֨אand he shall comeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal continuing instruction)→ Weqatal: sequential instruction continuing the chapter's imperatival forceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; weqatal signals the next procedural step once the camp is set to move.
אַהֲרֹ֤ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject of וּבָאאַהֲרֹן (H175); see v. 1.
וּבָנָיו֙and his sonsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate subject of וּבָאבֵּן (H1121); Aaron's sons, the officiating priests who alone may handle and cover the holy objects.
בִּנְסֹ֣עַwhen...sets outprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · נָסַע (H5265)Temporal infinitive clause ('when the camp sets out')→ Infinitive: marks the triggering moment for the priests' covering dutyנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up, journey, set out'; the tabernacle's transport is triggered whenever the cloud lifts and the camp moves (cf. 9:17-23).
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthe campart + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Subject of the infinitive clauseמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the whole Israelite encampment organized around the tabernacle (chs. 1-2).
וְהוֹרִ֕דוּand they shall take downconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3cp · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal sequence)→ Weqatal: sequential instruction — the first concrete covering actionיָרַד (H3381) Hiphil 'to bring down, take down'; here of lowering the veil from its place to use as a covering.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks פָּרֹכֶת as the definite direct object.
פָּרֹ֣כֶתthe veil ofN f sg constr · פָּרֹכֶת (H6532)Direct object (head of construct chain)פָּרֹכֶת (H6532) 'veil, curtain'; the inner veil separating the holy place from the most holy place (Exod 26:31-33), repurposed here as the ark's first covering.
הַמָּסָ֑ךְthe screenart + N m sg abs · מָסָךְ (H4539)Genitive in apposition (identifying the veil's screening function)מָסָךְ (H4539) 'screen, covering'; appositional/descriptive of the פָּרֹכֶת's function as the screening veil.
וְכִ֨סּוּand they shall coverconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal sequence)→ Weqatal: sequential instruction — the covering action properכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; the chapter's key verb, repeated for every holy object (vv. 5-14).
בָ֔הּwith itprep בְּ + 3fs suffInstrumental prepositional phrase (referring to the veil)The 3fs suffix refers back to פָּרֹכֶת (feminine), 'with it [the veil]'.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks אֲרוֹן as the definite direct object.
אֲרֹ֥ןthe ark ofN c sg constr · אָרוֹן (H727)Direct object (head of construct chain)אָרוֹן (H727) 'ark, chest'; the ark of the covenant, first and holiest item covered.
הָעֵדֻֽתof the testimonyart + N f sg abs · עֵדוּת (H5715)Genitive completing the construct chainעֵדוּת (H5715) 'testimony'; the tablets of the covenant housed within, giving the ark its full name 'ark of the testimony'.
6
וְנָתְנ֣וּ עָלָ֗יו כְּסוּי֙ ע֣וֹר תַּ֔חַשׁ וּפָרְשׂ֧וּ בֶֽגֶד כְּלִ֛יל תְּכֵ֖לֶת מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְשָׂמ֖וּ בַּדָּֽיו
and they shall put on it a covering of taḥash-skin, and spread over it a cloth all of blue on top, and put in its poles.
The ark receives three layers in sequence — veil, taḥash-skin, and a solid-blue cloth on top — making it visually distinct from every other holy object, which receives only two layers (taḥash beneath a colored cloth, vv. 7-14).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְנָתְנ֣וּand they shall putconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal sequence)→ Weqatal: sequential instruction continuing the covering procedureנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; here 'to put/lay' a covering upon the veil-wrapped ark.
עָלָ֗יוon itprep עַל + 3ms suffLocative prepositional phrase (referring to the veiled ark)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; the 3ms suffix refers back to the veil-covered ark.
כְּסוּי֙a covering ofN m sg constr · כְּסוּי (H3681)Direct object (head of construct chain)כְּסוּי (H3681) 'covering', from כסה 'to cover'; the second layer over the ark, made of taḥash-skin.
ע֣וֹרthe skin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive of materialעוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; the covering's material.
תַּ֔חַשׁtaḥashN m sg abs · תַּחַשׁ (H8476)Genitive completing the construct chainתַּחַשׁ (H8476) — a famous lexical crux: identified variously as dolphin/dugong skin, badger, seal, or fine leather; the LXX renders it as a color (ὑακίνθινα, 'violet-blue'), not an animal at all. The taḥash-skin forms the weatherproof outer layer over each holy object during transport.
וּפָרְשׂ֧וּand they shall spreadconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · פָּרַשׂ (H6566)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal sequence)→ Weqatal: sequential instruction — the third layerפָּרַשׂ (H6566) 'to spread out'; used of unfurling a cloth over the covered object.
בֶֽגֶדa cloth ofN m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object (head of construct chain)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, cloth'; the outermost visible layer, distinct from the taḥash covering beneath it.
כְּלִ֛ילwholly ofadj m sg constr · כָּלִיל (H3632)Genitive of material/quality ('entirely blue')כָּלִיל (H3632) 'whole, entire'; כְּלִיל תְּכֵלֶת 'all of blue' marks the ark's outer cloth as solid blue, visually distinguishing it as the most holy item during transport (contrast v. 7's blue-then-scarlet for the table).
תְּכֵ֖לֶתblueN f sg abs · תְּכֵלֶת (H8504)Genitive completing כְּלִילתְּכֵלֶת (H8504) 'blue-purple, violet'; a costly dye associated with royalty and the sanctuary.
מִלְמָ֑עְלָהon topprep מִן + prep לְ + adv (directional ה) · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase of place ('above, on top')מַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward'; מִלְמַעְלָה 'from above/on top' specifies the blue cloth as the topmost layer.
וְשָׂמ֖וּand they shall put inconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal sequence)→ Weqatal: sequential instruction — final step, readying for transportשׂוּם (H7760) 'to put, set, place'; here of inserting the carrying poles.
בַּדָּֽיוits polesN m pl constr + 3ms suff · בַּד (H905)Direct object of וְשָׂמוּבַּד (H905) 'pole, staff'; the carrying poles inserted through the ark's rings (Exod 25:13-15), left permanently in place per Exod 25:15.
7
וְעַ֣ל שֻׁלְחַ֣ן הַפָּנִ֗ים יִפְרְשׂוּ֮ בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵלֶת֒ וְנָתְנ֣וּ עָ֠לָיו אֶת הַקְּעָרֹ֤ת וְאֶת הַכַּפֹּת֙ וְאֶת הַמְּנַקִּיֹּ֔ת וְאֵ֖ת קְשׂ֣וֹת הַנָּ֑סֶךְ וְלֶ֥חֶם הַתָּמִ֖יד עָלָ֥יו יִהְיֶֽה
And over the table of the presence they shall spread a cloth of blue and put on it the dishes, the ladles, the bowls, and the jars of the libation; and the regular bread shall be on it.
The covering ritual moves item by item through the sanctuary furniture; the table of the presence receives a blue cloth and its full vessel-set, with the added stipulation that the showbread itself need not be removed for the march — cultic continuity is maintained even in transit.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְעַ֣לand overconj וְ + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Coordinating conjunction + locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; here spatial, introducing the table of the bread of the presence as the next furnishing to be wrapped.
שֻׁלְחַ֣ןthe table ofN m sg constr · שֻׁלְחָן (H7979)Object of preposition עַל (head of construct chain)שֻׁלְחָן (H7979) 'table', from a root meaning 'to send out, spread'; the table of the presence held the showbread (Exod 25:23-30).
הַפָּנִ֗יםthe presenceart + N c pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; שֻׁלְחַן הַפָּנִים, 'table of the face/presence', names the table by its placement before YHWH's presence.
יִפְרְשׂוּ֮they shall spreadQal impf 3mp · פָּרַשׂ (H6566)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/durative — the standing procedure at every departureפָּרַשׂ (H6566) 'to spread out'; used throughout ch. 4 of unfurling the protective cloths over the sancta before the march.
בֶּ֣גֶדa cloth ofN m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object (head of construct chain)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, cloth'; here a protective covering cloth, distinguished by color for each item of furniture.
תְּכֵלֶת֒blueN f sg abs · תְּכֵלֶת (H8504)Genitive of material/color (construct chain)תְּכֵלֶת (H8504) 'blue-purple (dye/wool)', from a marine mollusk dye; the color of the innermost coverings, matching the tabernacle curtains' own blue.
וְנָתְנ֣וּand they shall putconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (sequential, continuing the procedure)→ Weqatal: continuation of the prescriptive sequence begun by the yiqtolנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; the routine verb for setting vessels onto the now-covered table.
עָ֠לָיוon itprep עַל + 3ms sf · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (adverbial)עַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix, referring back to the now-covered table.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the first item in the list of table vessels.
הַקְּעָרֹ֤תthe dishesart + N f pl abs · קְעָרָה (H7086)Direct object (first item of series)קְעָרָה (H7086) 'dish, platter'; one of the four gold vessels of Exod 25:29 used with the showbread.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second item)וְ joins the next item; אֵת marks הַכַּפֹּת as a definite object.
הַכַּפֹּת֙the ladlesart + N f pl abs · כַּף (H3709)Direct object (second item of series)כַּף (H3709) 'palm (of hand), spoon, ladle'; here the incense ladles of the table service.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third item)וְ joins the next item; אֵת marks הַמְּנַקִּיֹּת as a definite object.
הַמְּנַקִּיֹּ֔תthe libation bowlsart + N f pl abs · מְנַקִּית (H4518)Direct object (third item of series)מְנַקִּית (H4518) 'sacrificial bowl', from נקה; used with the drink offering poured beside the showbread.
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fourth item)וְ joins the final item; אֵת marks קְשׂוֹת הַנָּסֶךְ as a definite object.
קְשׂ֣וֹתthe jars ofN f pl constr · קָשְׂוָה (H7184)Direct object (head of construct chain, fourth item)קָשְׂוָה (H7184) 'jar, jug', a rare term (elsewhere only Exod 25:29; 37:16) for the vessels holding the libation wine.
הַנָּ֑סֶךְthe libationart + N m sg abs · נֶסֶךְ (H5262)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)נֶסֶךְ (H5262) 'drink offering, libation', from a root 'to pour out'; the wine poured beside the showbread each week.
וְלֶ֥חֶםand the bread ofconj וְ + N c sg constr · לֶחֶם (H3899)Subject of the closing clause (fronted, casus pendens)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread'; לֶחֶם הַתָּמִיד, 'the regular bread' = the showbread of Lev 24:5-9, replaced weekly.
הַתָּמִ֖ידthe regularart + N m sg abs · תָּמִיד (H8548)Attributive genitive (construct chain: 'the continual bread')תָּמִיד (H8548) 'continuity, regularity'; used adjectivally for what recurs on a fixed schedule — here the perpetually renewed showbread.
עָלָ֥יוon itprep עַל + 3ms sf · עַל (H5921)Locative predicate complementעַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix, referring to the covered table — the bread stays in place even while it travels.
יִהְיֶֽהshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (verbless-clause equivalent, closing the verse)→ Yiqtol: durative/stative — the bread's continuous presence on the table even in transitהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here almost copular, asserting the bread remains on the table throughout the journey — it need not be removed for the march.
8
וּפָרְשׂ֣וּ עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם בֶּ֚גֶד תּוֹלַ֣עַת שָׁנִ֔י וְכִסּ֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְשָׂמ֖וּ אֶת בַּדָּֽיו
And they shall spread over them a cloth of scarlet and cover it with a covering of taḥash-skin, and they shall insert its poles.
The table's covering is completed in two further layers — scarlet over the vessels, then the weatherproof taḥash-skin outermost — followed by insertion of the carrying poles, the standard closing gesture of each covering unit in this chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּפָרְשׂ֣וּand they shall spreadconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · פָּרַשׂ (H6566)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing v. 7's procedure)→ Weqatal: sequential continuation of the covering procedureפָּרַשׂ (H6566) 'to spread out'; the second cloth-layer over the table's vessel-set.
עֲלֵיהֶ֗םover themprep עַל + 3mp sf · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (adverbial)עַל (H5921) with 3mp suffix, referring to the vessels just placed on the table (v. 7).
בֶּ֚גֶדa cloth ofN m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object (head of construct chain)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, cloth'; the second, outer cloth laid over the first blue layer.
תּוֹלַ֣עַתworm ofN f sg constr · תּוֹלַעַת (H8438)Genitive of the construct chain (defining the dye-color)תּוֹלַעַת (H8438) 'worm, grub'; the crimson dye came from the dried body of the scale-insect Kermes, hence 'crimson-worm'.
שָׁנִ֔יscarletN m sg abs · שָׁנִי (H8144)Genitive completing the construct chain ('scarlet worm' = crimson)שָׁנִי (H8144) 'scarlet, crimson'; תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי is a fixed idiom for the brilliant red dye/cloth, distinct from the table's blue.
וְכִסּ֣וּand they shall coverconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential — the third and outermost layerכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; distinct from פָּרַשׂ ('spread'), used for the final weatherproof taḥash-skin wrapping.
אֹת֔וֹitobj marker + 3ms sf · אֵת (H853)Direct object (resuming the table as referent)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, resuming שֻׁלְחַן הַפָּנִים (the table) as the object of covering.
בְּמִכְסֵ֖הwith a covering ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִכְסֶה (H4372)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means)מִכְסֶה (H4372) 'covering', from כָּסָה; the technical term for the outermost hide-layer over each sanctum item.
ע֣וֹרskin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive of the construct chain (defining the covering's material)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; construct with תָּחַשׁ names the durable outer hide used for all the sanctuary's travel-coverings.
תָּ֑חַשׁtaḥashN m sg abs · תַּחַשׁ (H8476)Genitive completing the construct chainתַּחַשׁ (H8476), an animal of disputed identity (dugong, seal, or a fine leather-finish); its hide provided the weatherproof outer layer of tabernacle and vessel coverings (cf. Exod 25:5).
וְשָׂמ֖וּand they shall insertconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׂם (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause, closing gesture)→ Weqatal: sequential — the closing act of the covering unitשָׂם/שִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; here idiomatic for slotting the carrying poles into their rings, the standard close of each covering procedure.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בַּדָּיו, the table's poles, as the definite object.
בַּדָּֽיוits polesN m pl constr + 3ms sf · בַּד (H905)Direct objectבַּד (H905) 'pole, shaft'; the acacia carrying-poles left in place through the rings so the covered table could be lifted without priestly contact.
9
וְלָקְח֣וּ בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֗לֶת וְכִסּ֞וּ אֶת מְנֹרַ֤ת הַמָּאוֹר֙ וְאֶת נֵ֣רֹתֶ֔יהָ וְאֶת מַלְקָחֶ֖יהָ וְאֶת מַחְתֹּתֶ֑יהָ וְאֵת֙ כָּל כְּלֵ֣י שַׁמְנָ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְשָׁרְתוּ לָ֖הּ בָּהֶֽם
And they shall take a cloth of blue and cover the lampstand of the light and its lamps, its tongs and its firepans, and all the vessels of its oil with which it is served.
The lampstand receives only a single blue cloth here (the taḥash-skin outer layer follows in v. 10, wrapped around the whole with its utensils together rather than in the table's two-stage pattern), gathering up the full tool-kit needed to trim and service it.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְלָקְח֣וּand they shall takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, opening a new item)→ Weqatal: sequential — opening the lampstand's covering procedureלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here 'to take up' the cloth to begin the covering, distinct from פָּרַשׂ used with the table.
בֶּ֣גֶדa cloth ofN m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object (head of construct chain)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, cloth'; the lampstand's single cloth, unlike the table's layered scheme.
תְּכֵ֗לֶתblueN f sg abs · תְּכֵלֶת (H8504)Genitive of material/color (construct chain)תְּכֵלֶת (H8504) 'blue-purple'; the lampstand, like the table, gets a blue inner covering.
וְכִסּ֞וּand they shall coverconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential continuationכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; governs the long object-list that follows (lampstand plus all its utensils).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the lampstand as the first object of the covering.
מְנֹרַ֤תthe lampstand ofN f sg constr · מְנוֹרָה (H4501)Direct object (head of construct chain)מְנוֹרָה (H4501) 'lampstand', from נוּר/נֵר 'light'; the gold seven-branched lampstand of Exod 25:31-40, lit constantly in the holy place.
הַמָּאוֹר֙the lightart + N m sg abs · מָאוֹר (H3974)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)מָאוֹר (H3974) 'light, luminary'; מְנֹרַת הַמָּאוֹר, 'the lampstand of the light', its full technical designation (cf. Exod 39:37).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second item)וְ joins the next item; אֵת marks נֵרֹתֶיהָ, its lamps, as a definite object.
נֵ֣רֹתֶ֔יהָits lampsN m pl constr + 3fs sf · נֵר (H5216)Direct object (second item of series)נֵר (H5216) 'lamp'; the seven oil-lamps set atop the lampstand's branches.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third item)וְ joins the next item; אֵת marks מַלְקָחֶיהָ, its tongs, as a definite object.
מַלְקָחֶ֖יהָits tongsN m dual constr + 3fs sf · מֶלְקָח (H4457)Direct object (third item of series)מֶלְקָח (H4457) 'tongs, snuffers', dual form (a two-part tool); used to trim the lampstand's wicks (cf. Exod 25:38).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fourth item)וְ joins the next item; אֵת marks מַחְתֹּתֶיהָ, its firepans, as a definite object.
מַחְתֹּתֶ֑יהָits firepansN f pl constr + 3fs sf · מַחְתָּה (H4289)Direct object (fourth item of series)מַחְתָּה (H4289) 'firepan, snuff-dish'; here the trays that caught burnt wick-trimmings from the lampstand.
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fifth item)וְ joins the final item; אֵת marks כָּל כְּלֵי שַׁמְנָהּ, all its oil vessels, as a definite object.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain, fifth item)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizing the oil-service vessels that keep the lamps supplied.
כְּלֵ֣יthe vessels ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement'; here the containers and equipment for supplying the lampstand's oil.
שַׁמְנָ֔הּits oilN m sg constr + 3fs sf · שֶׁמֶן (H8081)Genitive completing the construct chainשֶׁמֶן (H8081) 'oil'; the pure beaten olive oil that fueled the lampstand (Exod 27:20).
אֲשֶׁ֥רwith whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the standard relative particle; introduces the closing clause specifying how the vessels are used.
יְשָׁרְתוּthey servePiel impf 3mp · שֵׁרֵת (H8334)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: durative — the vessels' habitual functionשֵׁרֵת (H8334) Piel 'to minister, serve'; here of instruments used in the lampstand's ongoing maintenance, not personal priestly service.
לָ֖הּfor itprep לְ + 3fs sf · לְ (H3807)Dative prepositional phrase (referent served)לְ with 3fs suffix, referring back to הַמְּנֹרָה, the lampstand — 'with which they service it'.
בָּהֶֽםwith themprep בְּ + 3mp sf · בְּ (H871)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means)בְּ with 3mp suffix, referring back to כְּלֵי שַׁמְנָהּ, the oil vessels — the instruments by which the lampstand is serviced.
10
וְנָתְנ֤וּ אֹתָהּ֙ וְאֶת כָּל כֵּלֶ֔יהָ אֶל מִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְנָתְנ֖וּ עַל הַמּֽוֹט
And they shall put it and all its vessels into a covering of taḥash-skin, and put it on the carrying-frame.
Unlike the table, the whole lampstand assembly — stand and utensils together — is bundled directly into the taḥash-skin covering and set on a מוֹט, a carrying-frame or bier, rather than being fitted with its own poles; its intricate branched shape made rigid pole-insertion impractical.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְנָתְנ֤וּand they shall putconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: sequential — the closing step for the lampstandנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; here 'to place (into)' the taḥash-skin wrapping.
אֹתָהּ֙itobj marker + 3fs sf · אֵת (H853)Direct object (resuming the lampstand as referent)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, resuming הַמְּנֹרָה (fem.) as the object of the placing.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second item)וְ joins the next item; אֵת marks כָּל כֵּלֶיהָ, all its vessels, as a definite object.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain, second item)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizing the lampstand's whole utensil-set (lamps, tongs, firepans, oil vessels of v. 9).
כֵּלֶ֔יהָits vesselsN m pl constr + 3fs sf · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive completing the construct chainכְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement'; summarizing the lampstand's full tool-kit as one unit for wrapping.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, into'; here directional, 'into' the covering rather than a covering laid 'over' as with פָּרַשׂ.
מִכְסֵ֖הa covering ofN m sg constr · מִכְסֶה (H4372)Object of preposition אֶל (head of construct chain)מִכְסֶה (H4372) 'covering', from כָּסָה; the same outer-hide covering used for the table (v. 8).
ע֣וֹרskin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive of the construct chain (defining the covering's material)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; construct with תָּחַשׁ, the standard weatherproof outer covering.
תָּ֑חַשׁtaḥashN m sg abs · תַּחַשׁ (H8476)Genitive completing the construct chainתַּחַשׁ (H8476), an animal of disputed identity whose hide furnished the outermost, weatherproof layer of every sanctum covering.
וְנָתְנ֖וּand they shall putconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, closing gesture)→ Weqatal: sequential — the final act of the lampstand's covering unitנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; here setting the wrapped bundle onto the transport frame.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; the wrapped lampstand rests atop the carrying-frame.
הַמּֽוֹטthe carrying-frameart + N m sg abs · מוֹט (H4132)Object of preposition עַלמוֹט (H4132) 'pole, bar, yoke-bar'; here a litter or bier on which the unpoleable lampstand-bundle was carried, distinct from the בַּדִּים ('poles') used with poleable furniture.
11
וְעַ֣ל מִזְבַּ֣ח הַזָּהָ֗ב יִפְרְשׂוּ֙ בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֔לֶת וְכִסּ֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְשָׂמ֖וּ אֶת בַּדָּֽיו
And over the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue and cover it with a covering of taḥash-skin, and they shall insert its poles.
The golden incense altar is wrapped exactly like the showbread table (v. 8) — blue cloth, then taḥash-skin, then poles inserted — the identical three-step formula reused verbatim, marking these two gold-plated pieces as belonging to the same rank of holy furniture.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְעַ֣לand overconj וְ + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Coordinating conjunction + locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; introducing the golden altar as the next item, spatially fronted like v. 7's table.
מִזְבַּ֣חthe altar ofN m sg constr · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Object of preposition עַל (head of construct chain)מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar', from זבח 'to sacrifice'; here the small gold incense altar of Exod 30:1-10, distinct from the bronze altar of ch. 4's later verses.
הַזָּהָ֗בthe goldart + N m sg abs · זָהָב (H2091)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)זָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; מִזְבַּח הַזָּהָב, 'the altar of gold', names it by its overlay to distinguish it from the copper-plated outer altar.
יִפְרְשׂוּ֙they shall spreadQal impf 3mp · פָּרַשׂ (H6566)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/durative — the standing procedure at every departureפָּרַשׂ (H6566) 'to spread out'; identical formula to v. 7, reused for this furniture-piece.
בֶּ֣גֶדa cloth ofN m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object (head of construct chain)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, cloth'; the inner covering cloth for the golden altar.
תְּכֵ֔לֶתblueN f sg abs · תְּכֵלֶת (H8504)Genitive of material/color (construct chain)תְּכֵלֶת (H8504) 'blue-purple'; the golden altar's inner cloth matches the table's (v. 7) and lampstand's (v. 9) blue.
וְכִסּ֣וּand they shall coverconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential — the outer wrappingכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; the taḥash-skin outer layer, as with the table.
אֹת֔וֹitobj marker + 3ms sf · אֵת (H853)Direct object (resuming the altar as referent)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, resuming מִזְבַּח הַזָּהָב (the golden altar) as the object of covering.
בְּמִכְסֵ֖הwith a covering ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִכְסֶה (H4372)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means)מִכְסֶה (H4372) 'covering', from כָּסָה; same technical outer-hide covering as the other furnishings.
ע֣וֹרskin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive of the construct chain (defining the covering's material)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; construct with תָּחַשׁ, the weatherproof outer material.
תָּ֑חַשׁtaḥashN m sg abs · תַּחַשׁ (H8476)Genitive completing the construct chainתַּחַשׁ (H8476), the animal (dugong/seal/fine-leather, identity disputed) whose hide gave the outer travel-covering its resistance.
וְשָׂמ֖וּand they shall insertconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׂם (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause, closing gesture)→ Weqatal: sequential — the closing act of the covering unitשָׂם/שִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; idiomatic for slotting in the carrying poles, closing this furniture-item's procedure as at v. 8.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בַּדָּיו, the altar's poles, as the definite object.
בַּדָּֽיוits polesN m pl constr + 3ms sf · בַּד (H905)Direct objectבַּד (H905) 'pole, shaft'; the golden altar, like the ark and table, was fitted with permanent carrying-poles (Exod 30:4-5).
12
וְלָקְחוּ֩ אֶת כָּל כְּלֵ֨י הַשָּׁרֵ֜ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר יְשָֽׁרְתוּ בָ֣ם בַּקֹּ֗דֶשׁ וְנָֽתְנוּ֙ אֶל בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֔לֶת וְכִסּ֣וּ אוֹתָ֔ם בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְנָתְנ֖וּ עַל הַמּֽוֹט
And they shall take all the vessels of service with which they serve in the holy place, and put them in a cloth of blue and cover them with a covering of taḥash-skin, and put them on the carrying-frame.
After the four named furnishings (table, lampstand, golden altar, and — coming — bronze altar), a catch-all category gathers every remaining service vessel used inside the holy place; like the lampstand it is bundled rather than poled, and travels on the same מוֹט-frame.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְלָקְחוּ֩and they shall takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, opening a new item)→ Weqatal: sequential — opening this fifth covering unitלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; opens the catch-all category of remaining holy-place vessels, as with the lampstand's cloth in v. 9.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the whole vessel-collection as the object taken.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizing every remaining vessel used in the holy place.
כְּלֵ֨יthe vessels ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement'; here the operational tools used in daily holy-place service, not the named furniture itself.
הַשָּׁרֵ֜תthe serviceart + N m sg abs · שָׁרֵת (H8335)Genitive completing the construct chainשָׁרֵת (H8335) 'ministering, serving' (infinitive-derived noun of שֵׁרֵת); כְּלֵי הַשָּׁרֵת, 'vessels of ministry', the standard phrase for cultic service implements.
אֲשֶׁ֧רwith whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the standard relative particle, introducing how these vessels function.
יְשָֽׁרְתוּthey servePiel impf 3mp · שֵׁרֵת (H8334)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: durative — habitual cultic useשֵׁרֵת (H8334) Piel 'to minister, serve'; describes the vessels' ongoing function in the sanctuary's daily operation.
בָ֣םwith themprep בְּ + 3mp sf · בְּ (H871)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means)בְּ with 3mp suffix, referring back to the vessels themselves — the means by which the priests serve.
בַּקֹּ֗דֶשׁin the holy placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Locative prepositional phraseקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacred place'; here the holy place proper, where these vessels are used (as distinct from the outer court).
וְנָֽתְנוּ֙and they shall putconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential — beginning the wrapping of the collected vesselsנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; here 'to place (into)' the blue cloth, as with the lampstand bundle in v. 10.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, into'; the vessels are gathered into the cloth rather than the cloth spread over them.
בֶּ֣גֶדa cloth ofN m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Object of preposition אֶל (head of construct chain)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, cloth'; the inner wrapping for the whole vessel-collection.
תְּכֵ֔לֶתblueN f sg abs · תְּכֵלֶת (H8504)Genitive of material/color (construct chain)תְּכֵלֶת (H8504) 'blue-purple'; matching the color already used for every other holy-place item.
וְכִסּ֣וּand they shall coverconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential — the outer wrappingכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; the outer taḥash-skin layer over the bundled vessels.
אוֹתָ֔םthemobj marker + 3mp sf · אֵת (H853)Direct object (resuming the vessels as referent)אֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, resuming כְּלֵי הַשָּׁרֵת (the service vessels) as the object of covering.
בְּמִכְסֵ֖הwith a covering ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִכְסֶה (H4372)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means)מִכְסֶה (H4372) 'covering', from כָּסָה; the standard outer-hide covering used throughout the chapter.
ע֣וֹרskin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive of the construct chain (defining the covering's material)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; construct with תָּחַשׁ, the outermost weatherproof layer.
תָּ֑חַשׁtaḥashN m sg abs · תַּחַשׁ (H8476)Genitive completing the construct chainתַּחַשׁ (H8476), the animal (identity disputed) whose durable hide finished every sanctum-covering.
וְנָתְנ֖וּand they shall putconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, closing gesture)→ Weqatal: sequential — the closing act of this covering unitנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; here setting the wrapped bundle onto the transport frame, as with the lampstand in v. 10.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; the wrapped bundle rests atop the carrying-frame.
הַמּֽוֹטthe carrying-frameart + N m sg abs · מוֹט (H4132)Object of preposition עַלמוֹט (H4132) 'pole, bar'; the same litter/bier used for the lampstand bundle in v. 10, now carrying the miscellaneous service vessels.
13
וְדִשְּׁנ֖וּ אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וּפָרְשׂ֣וּ עָלָ֔יו בֶּ֖גֶד אַרְגָּמָֽן
And they shall remove the ashes from the altar, and spread over it a cloth of purple.
The chapter turns at last to the great bronze altar of burnt offering. Its procedure differs from every preceding item: it must first be de-ashed (a practical necessity given its constant fire), and its inner cloth is purple rather than blue — the only sanctum piece so marked, perhaps signaling its intermediate status between the holy furniture and the outer court.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְדִשְּׁנ֖וּand they shall remove the ashesconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · דִּשֵּׁן (H1878)Predicate verb (main clause, opening a new item)→ Weqatal: sequential — a necessary preliminary before the altar can be wrappedדָּשֵׁן (H1878) Piel 'to remove ashes, clear of fat-ash'; denominative from דֶּשֶׁן 'ash'; the daily altar-clearing rite of Lev 6:3-4 applied here before travel.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, the altar, as the definite object cleared of ash.
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַthe altarart + N m sg abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Direct objectמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; unqualified here it means the great bronze altar of burnt offering in the courtyard (Exod 27:1-8), distinct from the golden altar of v. 11.
וּפָרְשׂ֣וּand they shall spreadconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · פָּרַשׂ (H6566)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential — following the ash-clearingפָּרַשׂ (H6566) 'to spread out'; laying the inner cloth once the altar surface is clean.
עָלָ֔יוover itprep עַל + 3ms sf · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (adverbial)עַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix, referring to the now ash-cleared altar.
בֶּ֖גֶדa cloth ofN m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object (head of construct chain)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, cloth'; the bronze altar's inner cloth, uniquely purple rather than blue.
אַרְגָּמָֽןpurpleN m sg abs · אַרְגָּמָן (H713)Genitive of material/color (construct chain)אַרְגָּמָן (H713) 'purple(-red)', a costly dye of Phoenician origin; the only sanctum item covered in purple rather than blue, marking the bronze altar's distinct rank.
14
וְנָתְנ֣וּ עָ֠לָיו אֶֽת כָּל כֵּלָ֞יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְֽשָׁרְת֧וּ עָלָ֣יו בָּהֶ֗ם אֶת הַמַּחְתֹּ֤ת אֶת הַמִּזְלָגֹת֙ וְאֶת הַיָּעִ֣ים וְאֶת הַמִּזְרָקֹ֔ת כֹּ֖ל כְּלֵ֣י הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וּפָרְשׂ֣וּ עָלָ֗יו כְּס֛וּי ע֥וֹר תַּ֖חַשׁ וְשָׂמ֥וּ בַדָּֽיו
And they shall put on it all its vessels with which they serve it — the firepans, the forks, the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar — and they shall spread over it a covering of taḥash-skin, and insert its poles.
The bronze altar's full toolkit — firepans, forks, shovels, basins — is listed and covered together in one taḥash-skin layer without an intervening blue cloth, unlike the golden furniture; the sequence closes, as with every other poleable item, by reinserting the carrying poles.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וְנָתְנ֣וּand they shall putconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, opening the utensil-list)→ Weqatal: sequential — continuing the bronze altar's covering procedureנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; here setting the altar's utensils onto it, echoing v. 7's table procedure.
עָ֠לָיוon itprep עַל + 3ms sf · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (adverbial)עַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix, referring to the altar.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כָּל כֵּלָיו, all its vessels, as the definite object.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizing the altar's implement set.
כֵּלָ֞יוits vesselsN m pl constr + 3ms sf · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive completing the construct chainכְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement'; the bronze altar's full working equipment, itemized in the appositional list that follows.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwith whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the standard relative particle, introducing the vessels' function.
יְֽשָׁרְת֧וּthey servePiel impf 3mp · שֵׁרֵת (H8334)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: durative — habitual cultic useשֵׁרֵת (H8334) Piel 'to minister, serve'; describes the vessels' regular function at the altar.
עָלָ֣יוon itprep עַל + 3ms sf · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (adverbial)עַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix, again referring to the altar.
בָּהֶ֗םwith themprep בְּ + 3mp sf · בְּ (H871)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means)בְּ with 3mp suffix, referring to the vessels — the instruments by which the altar is served.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (appositional, first named item)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi introducing the itemized list in apposition to כֵּלָיו.
הַמַּחְתֹּ֤תthe firepansart + N f pl abs · מַחְתָּה (H4289)Direct object (first named item)מַחְתָּה (H4289) 'firepan, censer'; used to carry coals to and from the altar.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (appositional, second named item)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַמִּזְלָגֹת, the forks, as the second named item.
הַמִּזְלָגֹת֙the forksart + N f pl abs · מִזְלָג (H4207)Direct object (second named item)מִזְלָג (H4207) 'fork, flesh-hook'; used to handle sacrificial meat and coals at the altar.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third named item)וְ joins the next item; אֵת marks הַיָּעִים, the shovels, as a definite object.
הַיָּעִ֣יםthe shovelsart + N m pl abs · יָע (H3257)Direct object (third named item)יָע (H3257) 'shovel, scoop'; used to clear ash from the altar (cf. Exod 27:3).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fourth named item)וְ joins the final named item; אֵת marks הַמִּזְרָקֹת, the basins, as a definite object.
הַמִּזְרָקֹ֔תthe basinsart + N m pl abs · מִזְרָק (H4219)Direct object (fourth named item)מִזְרָק (H4219) 'bowl, basin', from זרק 'to sprinkle/toss'; used to catch and dash the sacrificial blood at the altar.
כֹּ֖לall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Appositional summary (recapitulating the whole list)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; a summarizing recap after the four-item list, echoing v. 12's phrasing.
כְּלֵ֣יthe vessels ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement'; summarizing all four named tools as one category.
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַthe altarart + N m sg abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Genitive completing the construct chainמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; again the bronze altar, whose full set of service vessels has now been enumerated.
וּפָרְשׂ֣וּand they shall spreadconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · פָּרַשׂ (H6566)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential — the outer wrappingפָּרַשׂ (H6566) 'to spread out'; the taḥash-skin covering laid directly over the altar and its now-loaded utensils, without a separate blue layer.
עָלָ֗יוover itprep עַל + 3ms sf · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (adverbial)עַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix, referring to the altar and its loaded vessels.
כְּס֛וּיa covering ofN m sg constr · כְּסוּי (H3681)Direct object (head of construct chain)כְּסוּי (H3681) 'covering', from כָּסָה; a synonym of מִכְסֶה used interchangeably in this chapter for the outer hide layer.
ע֥וֹרskin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive of the construct chain (defining the covering's material)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; construct with תַּחַשׁ, the weatherproof final layer.
תַּ֖חַשׁtaḥashN m sg abs · תַּחַשׁ (H8476)Genitive completing the construct chainתַּחַשׁ (H8476), the animal (identity disputed) whose hide finished the bronze altar's covering as it did every other sanctum item.
וְשָׂמ֥וּand they shall insertconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׂם (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause, closing gesture)→ Weqatal: sequential — the closing act of the altar's covering unitשָׂם/שִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; idiomatic for slotting in the carrying poles, the standard closing act of each covering procedure.
בַדָּֽיוits polesN m pl constr + 3ms sf · בַּד (H905)Direct objectבַּד (H905) 'pole, shaft'; the bronze altar's own carrying-poles (Exod 27:6-7), reinserted here without an explicit object marker (elliptical, cf. v. 6).
15
וְכִלָּ֣ה אַֽהֲרֹן וּ֠בָנָיו לְכַסֹּ֨ת אֶת הַקֹּ֜דֶשׁ וְאֶת כָּל כְּלֵ֣י הַקֹּדֶשׁ֮ בִּנְסֹ֣עַ הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒ וְאַחֲרֵי כֵ֗ן יָבֹ֤אוּ בְנֵי קְהָת֙ לָשֵׂ֔את וְלֹֽא יִגְּע֥וּ אֶל הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ וָמֵ֑תוּ אֵ֛לֶּה מַשָּׂ֥א בְנֵֽי קְהָ֖ת בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד
And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy things and all the vessels of the holy place, at the breaking of camp, then after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
This verse is the theological hinge of the whole covering-procedure: only after Aaron and his priestly sons have completely wrapped every holy object may the Levitical Kohathites even approach, and even then they may carry but never touch or gaze upon the holy things themselves, on pain of death (וָמֵתוּ). Named explicitly as מַשָּׂא בְנֵי קְהָת, 'the burden of the sons of Kohath', this is the solemn warning the chapter's remaining verses (18-20) will reiterate and intensify — priestly mediation is not a courtesy but a lethal safeguard.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
וְכִלָּ֣הand when he has finishedconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (temporal protasis, main clause)→ Weqatal: temporal/conditional — 'when Aaron and sons have finished', setting up the priestly preconditionכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to finish, complete'; the entire covering procedure of vv. 5-14 must be complete before the Kohathites may approach.
אַֽהֲרֹןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject of כִּלָּהאַהֲרֹן (H175), the high priest; he and his sons alone perform and complete the covering — the sole guarantee that the Kohathites can approach safely.
וּ֠בָנָיוand his sonsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3ms sf · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of כִּלָּה (coordinate with אַהֲרֹן)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Aaron's ordained sons, the only ones authorized to handle and wrap the most holy objects.
לְכַסֹּ֨תcoveringprep לְ + Piel infin constr · כָּסָה (H3680)Infinitive construct complementing כִּלָּה ('finished covering')→ Infinitive construct: complement of completion — names the action just concludedכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; the infinitive names the whole preceding procedure (vv. 5-14) as a single completed act.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַקֹּדֶשׁ, the holy things, as the object covered.
הַקֹּ֜דֶשׁthe holy thingsart + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Direct objectקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacred object'; collective for the ark, table, lampstand, and altars just wrapped.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second item)וְ joins the next item; אֵת marks כָּל כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ as a definite object.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain, second item)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizing every remaining holy vessel not already named.
כְּלֵ֣יthe vessels ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement'; the holy place's full apparatus, comprehensively wrapped.
הַקֹּדֶשׁ֮the holy placeart + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive completing the construct chainקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacred place'; here the tabernacle's holy precinct as a whole.
בִּנְסֹ֣עַwhen breakingprep בְּ + Qal infin constr · נָסַע (H5265)Temporal infinitive clause ('when the camp sets out')→ Infinitive construct: temporal — pinpoints the moment the whole procedure servesנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up (tent-pegs), set out, journey'; the covering ritual exists specifically for this moment of departure.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒the campart + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Subject of the infinitive clauseמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the whole Israelite encampment breaking up to march, the recurring occasion for this entire chapter's instructions.
וְאַחֲרֵיand afterconj וְ + prep אַחֲרֵי · אַחַר (H310)Coordinating conjunction + temporal prepositional phraseאַחַר/אַחֲרֵי (H310) 'after'; opens the temporal clause marking the Kohathites' delayed approach, only once the priests are done.
כֵ֗ןthatadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement of אַחֲרֵי ('after that, thereupon')כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; אַחֲרֵי כֵן, 'after that', a fixed temporal idiom marking sequence — the Kohathites act only once the priestly work is finished.
יָבֹ֤אוּthey shall comeQal impf 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the authorized moment of approach, strictly sequenced after v. 15aבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the Kohathites' approach is itself conditioned and timed — they may not come until summoned by the priests' completion.
בְנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of יָבֹאוּ (head of construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי קְהָת, the Kohathite clan — the chapter's principal subject, tasked with carrying but never touching.
קְהָת֙Kohathproper noun · קְהָת (H6955)Genitive completing the construct chainקְהָת (H6955), Levi's second son, ancestor of the clan charged with carrying the sanctuary's most holy furniture (cf. Num 3:27-31).
לָשֵׂ֔אתto carryprep לְ + Qal infin constr · נָשָׂא (H5375)Purpose infinitive clause (why they come)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — names their sole authorized actionנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the same root that gives מַשָּׂא, 'burden', later in this verse — carrying, never handling, is their entire mandate.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative; introduces the categorical prohibition that follows the permission just granted.
יִגְּע֥וּthey shall touchQal impf 3mp · נָגַע (H5060)Predicate verb (negated main clause; prohibition)→ Yiqtol of prohibition: absolute, non-negotiable restrictionנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch, reach, strike'; the categorical prohibition — the Kohathites may carry via the poles and coverings but must never make direct contact with the holy objects.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (object of touching)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; here marking the object of the forbidden touch, הַקֹּדֶשׁ.
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁthe holy thingsart + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Object of preposition אֶלקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacred object'; the very things just carefully wrapped — now forbidden even to the touch.
וָמֵ֑תוּlest they dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (result/consequence clause)→ Weqatal expressing consequence: the fatal result of violating the prohibitionמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the sanction for unauthorized contact with the holy — divine holiness is lethal to the unprepared, the same principle behind Uzzah's death in 2 Sam 6:6-7.
אֵ֛לֶּהthesedem pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the closing verbless clauseאֵלֶּה (H428), common plural demonstrative 'these'; opens the summary formula naming what has just been described as 'the burden of the sons of Kohath'.
מַשָּׂ֥אthe burden ofN m sg constr · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)מַשָּׂא (H4853) 'burden, load', from נָשָׂא 'to carry' (cf. v. 15's לָשֵׂאת); the technical term naming each clan's assigned transport-charge, here formally titling the Kohathites' whole task.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי קְהָת again, closing the verse by naming whose burden this is.
קְהָ֖תKohathproper noun · קְהָת (H6955)Genitive completing the construct chainקְהָת (H6955); the clan whose entire vocation — and its lethal risk — is summarized in this closing formula.
בְּאֹ֥הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phrase (adverbial)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, 'tent of meeting', locating the whole charge at the site where the danger and the duty both belong.
מוֹעֵֽדmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place, meeting'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, the standard designation of the tabernacle as the site of divine-human encounter.
16
וּפְקֻדַּ֞ת אֶלְעָזָ֣ר בֶּן אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן שֶׁ֤מֶן הַמָּאוֹר֙ וּקְטֹ֣רֶת הַסַּמִּ֔ים וּמִנְחַ֥ת הַתָּמִ֖יד וְשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֑ה פְּקֻדַּ֗ת כָּל הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בּ֔וֹ בְּקֹ֖דֶשׁ וּבְכֵלָֽיו
And the charge of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest is the oil for the light, and the incense of spices, and the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil — the oversight of the whole tabernacle and of all that is in it, of the sanctuary and its vessels.
The verse pivots sharply from the death-threatened carrying-duty of v. 15 to a wholly different kind of responsibility: Eleazar, the priest, holds custodial oversight (פְקֻדַּת) of consumables and of the tabernacle's total inventory. He is not one of the burden-bearing Kohathites but their priestly overseer — the one whose competence ensures nothing is lost or mishandled during the very transport just described.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וּפְקֻדַּ֞תand the charge ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · פְּקֻדָּה (H6486)Subject (fronted predicate nominative, head of construct chain)פְּקֻדָּה (H6486) 'oversight, charge, appointed duty', from פָּקַד 'to attend to, muster'; a distinct category of responsibility from מַשָּׂא ('burden') in v. 15 — administrative rather than physical.
אֶלְעָזָ֣רEleazarproper noun · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)אֶלְעָזָר (H499) 'God has helped'; Aaron's third son and eventual successor as high priest (cf. Num 20:25-28), here given unique administrative oversight.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition (identifying Eleazar's lineage)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; identifies Eleazar precisely, distinguishing him from Aaron's other sons among the officiating priests.
אַהֲרֹ֣ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive completing the construct chainאַהֲרֹן (H175), the high priest, whose son Eleazar bears delegated administrative responsibility for the tabernacle's total inventory.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition (title, defining אַהֲרֹן)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; Aaron's priestly title, underscoring that Eleazar's authority is priestly, not Levitical-Kohathite, in character.
שֶׁ֤מֶןthe oil ofN m sg constr · שֶׁמֶן (H8081)Predicate nominative (first item in apposition to פְּקֻדַּת)שֶׁמֶן (H8081) 'oil'; the first of four consumables under Eleazar's watch.
הַמָּאוֹר֙the lightart + N m sg abs · מָאוֹר (H3974)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)מָאוֹר (H3974) 'light, luminary'; שֶׁמֶן הַמָּאוֹר, 'the oil for the light', the lampstand's fuel-supply (cf. Exod 27:20), the very oil serviced in v. 9.
וּקְטֹ֣רֶתand the incense ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · קְטֹרֶת (H7004)Predicate nominative (second item in apposition)קְטֹרֶת (H7004) 'incense, smoke offering', from קטר 'to burn, send up smoke'; the fragrant offering burned on the golden altar wrapped in v. 11.
הַסַּמִּ֔יםthe spicesart + N m pl abs · סַם (H5561)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)סַם (H5561) 'spice, aromatic'; the compound of fragrant ingredients specified in Exod 30:34-38, kept holy and off-limits to imitation.
וּמִנְחַ֥תand the grain offering ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · מִנְחָה (H4503)Predicate nominative (third item in apposition)מִנְחָה (H4503) 'gift, tribute, grain offering'; the third consumable, paired with תָּמִיד below.
הַתָּמִ֖ידthe regularart + N m sg abs · תָּמִיד (H8548)Genitive of the construct chain (attributive: 'the regular grain offering')תָּמִיד (H8548) 'continuity, regularity'; the daily grain offering of Exod 29:38-42, alongside the daily burnt offering, under Eleazar's supervision.
וְשֶׁ֣מֶןand the oil ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֶׁמֶן (H8081)Predicate nominative (fourth item in apposition)שֶׁמֶן (H8081) 'oil'; the last of the four named consumables, distinguished from the lamp-oil above by its qualifier.
הַמִּשְׁחָ֑הthe anointingart + N f sg abs · מִשְׁחָה (H4888)Genitive of the construct chain (defining)מִשְׁחָה (H4888) 'anointing'; שֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה, the sacred anointing oil of Exod 30:22-33, guarded as uniquely holy and never to be replicated.
פְּקֻדַּ֗תthe oversight ofN f sg constr · פְּקֻדָּה (H6486)Predicate nominative (resumptive, second clause: broader oversight)פְּקֻדָּה (H6486) 'oversight, charge'; the same term as the verse's opening word, now resumed to broaden Eleazar's mandate from named consumables to the entire structure.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizing scope — Eleazar's charge extends to the whole tabernacle structure.
הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙the tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive completing the construct chainמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; the tabernacle structure as a whole, now under Eleazar's supervisory (not carrying) responsibility.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object, coordinate (head of second construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; a further totalizing clause covering everything the tabernacle contains.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the standard relative particle, introducing the location clause 'that is in it'.
בּ֔וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms sf · בְּ (H871)Locative prepositional phrase (predicate of the relative clause)בְּ with 3ms suffix, referring back to הַמִּשְׁכָּן, the tabernacle — everything housed within it.
בְּקֹ֖דֶשׁin the sanctuaryprep בְּ + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Locative prepositional phrase, coordinate (specifying scope further)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacred place'; naming the holy precinct specifically within the general tabernacle-oversight just claimed.
וּבְכֵלָֽיוand in its vesselsconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m pl constr + 3ms sf · כְּלִי (H3627)Locative prepositional phrase, coordinate (closing item)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement' with 3ms suffix; the verse closes by folding all the furniture and utensils just wrapped (vv. 5-14) under Eleazar's final oversight.
17
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
The wayyiqtol formula וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל מֹשֶׁה וְאֶל אַהֲרֹן לֵאמֹר marks a discourse break: the detailed covering-and-carrying procedure of vv. 5-16 is complete, and a new divine word now follows, elaborating the death-warning of v. 15 in vv. 18-20 before the chapter turns to Gershon's assignment in v. 21. Addressing both Moses and Aaron together (rather than Moses alone) signals that what follows concerns priestly responsibility for Kohathite safety specifically.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣רand he spokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, opening a new discourse unit)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — opens a fresh divine speech-actדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the standing formula introducing virtually every legal section of Numbers, here re-launching the Kohathite instructions.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; the speaker throughout the Sinai legislation.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, unto'; marks Moses as the first addressee of the speech.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶל (first addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's lawgiver and Levites' chief overseer, addressed here alongside Aaron on a matter of priestly-Levitical protocol.
וְאֶֽלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (second addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, unto'; the coordinated second addressee, notable since most speech-formulas in Numbers name Moses alone.
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of preposition אֶל (second addressee)אַהֲרֹן (H175); his explicit inclusion signals that the coming warning (vv. 18-20) is his responsibility to enforce as much as Moses's to command.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal infin constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: quotative — opens the following divine wordsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard quotative infinitive לֵאמֹר, marking the transition into the direct speech that follows in v. 18.
18
אַל תַּכְרִ֕יתוּ אֶת שֵׁ֖בֶט מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַקְּהָתִ֑י מִתּ֖וֹךְ הַלְוִיִּֽם
Do not let the tribe of the clans of the Kohathites be cut off from among the Levites.
An urgent negative command (אַל + jussive) closes the preceding Kohath instructions: mishandling the most holy objects could trigger the very extinction the verb תַּכְרִיתוּ evokes — the language of karet — so vv.19-20 immediately supply the remedy that averts that catastrophe.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Negative particle (prohibitive)אַל (H408), the prohibitive negative used with the jussive/imperfect for an urgent, specific command — distinct from לֹא which negates as a general statement.
תַּכְרִ֕יתוּcut offHiphil jussive 2mp · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Jussive: urgent prohibitive commandכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut, cut off'; Hiphil, causative — 'cause to be cut off, exterminate'. The same root underlies the covenant כָּרֵת ('karet') penalty for profaning holy things; here Moses and Aaron are warned not to become the cause of that fate falling on Kohath.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שֵׁבֶט מִשְׁפְּחֹת הַקְּהָתִי as the definite object of תַּכְרִיתוּ.
שֵׁ֖בֶטthe tribe ofN m sg constr · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Direct object (head of construct chain)שֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, rod, scepter'; here the Kohathite kinship-group considered as a tribal unit within Levi.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣תthe clans ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Genitive, continuing the construct chainמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the Levitical sub-units organized by ancestral lineage (cf. vv.2-3).
הַקְּהָתִ֑יthe Kohathiteart + gentilic adj ms · קְהָתִי (H6956)Genitive completing the construct chainקְהָתִי (H6956), gentilic of קְהָת/Kohath; here a collective singular, 'the Kohathite [clan-group].'
מִתּ֖וֹךְfrom amongprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Prepositional phrase (source/separation)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst', with מִן — 'from the midst of, from among.'
הַלְוִיִּֽםthe Levitesart + gentilic adj mp · לֵוִי (H3881)Object of preposition מִתּוֹךְלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic pl. with article, 'the Levites' — the tribe of Levi as the referent group Kohath must not vanish from.
19
וְזֹ֣את עֲשׂ֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם וְחָיוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א יָמֻ֔תוּ בְּגִשְׁתָּ֖ם אֶת קֹ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים אַהֲרֹ֤ן וּבָנָיו֙ יָבֹ֔אוּ וְשָׂמ֣וּ אוֹתָ֗ם אִ֥ישׁ אִ֛ישׁ עַל עֲבֹדָת֖וֹ וְאֶל מַשָּׂאֽוֹ
But do this for them so that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and assign each man to his service and to his burden.
Pivoting from prohibition (v.18) to positive procedure, this is the second of the chapter's three death-warnings (cf. vv.15, 20): Aaron and his sons personally enter, wrap, and hand over each load, so that the Kohathites themselves never see or touch the holy objects directly.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְזֹ֣אתBut thisconj וְ + dem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Fronted direct object (resumptive, anticipating עֲשׂוּ)זֹאת (H2063), fem. demonstrative 'this'; fronted for emphasis — 'this is what you shall do for them.'
עֲשׂ֣וּdoQal imv 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: imperative — the remedial action requiredעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the concrete protective procedure Aaron and his sons must carry out for Kohath.
לָהֶ֗םfor themprep לְ + 3mp suffPrepositional phrase (beneficiary)לְ, preposition 'to, for', + 3mp suffix, referring back to the Kohathites of v.18.
וְחָיוּ֙so they may liveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb (weqatal, result clause)→ Weqatal: purpose/result — the life that follows complianceחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; the positive outcome secured by the procedure of v.19, paired with the negated מות of the next clause.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), plain negative negating the indicative יָמֻתוּ (as opposed to אַל's prohibitive of v.18).
יָמֻ֔תוּdieQal impf 3mp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (yiqtol, negated result clause)→ Yiqtol: modal — the death averted by complianceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the second of the chapter's three death-warnings (cf. vv.15, 20).
בְּגִשְׁתָּ֖םwhen they approachprep בְּ + Qal infin constr + 3mp sf · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Temporal clause (subordinate infinitive)→ Infinitive construct: temporal circumstanceנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to draw near, approach'; the perilous act of nearing the most holy objects that necessitates priestly mediation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים as the object of בְּגִשְׁתָּם.
קֹ֣דֶשׁthe holy thing ofN m sg constr · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Object of infinitive (head of construct/superlative chain)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, holy thing'; here head of the superlative construct קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים, 'the holiest of the holy things.'
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑יםthe holy thingsart + N m pl abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive completing the superlative constructקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) pl. with article; the construct pairing קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים is a superlative idiom, 'the most holy things' — the Kohathites' cargo of Ark, table, lampstand, and altars.
אַהֲרֹ֤ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subjectאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother and high priest; he and his sons alone may handle the holy objects directly.
וּבָנָיו֙and his sonsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Subject, coordinate with אַהֲרֹןבֵּן (H1121) pl. constr. + 3ms sf., 'his sons'; the ordinary priests who assist Aaron in the wrapping and assignment.
יָבֹ֔אוּshall go inQal impf 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive future — the priests' mandated entryבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the priests, not the Kohathites, are the ones who enter to handle the holy objects (contrast v.20).
וְשָׂמ֣וּand assignconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate verb (weqatal, sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential — the priests' concrete act of assignmentשִׂים/שׂוּם (H7760) 'to put, place, appoint'; here 'assign, designate' each man to his specific task and load.
אוֹתָ֗םthemobj marker + 3mp sf · אֵת (H853)Direct object (resuming the Kohathite men)אֵת (H853) + 3mp sf., resuming the Kohathite workmen as the ones being assigned.
אִ֥ישׁeachN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)First element of distributive doubling (adverbial accusative)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; doubled אִישׁ אִישׁ is a distributive idiom, 'each and every man, each one individually.'
אִ֛ישׁmanN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Second element of distributive doublingאִישׁ (H376), repetition completing the distributive idiom 'each one.'
עַלtoprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (goal, first item)עַל (H5921) 'upon, to'; here marking assignment 'to' a task.
עֲבֹדָת֖וֹhis serviceN f sg constr + 3ms sf · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Object of preposition עַלעֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, task, labor' + 3ms sf.; the specific duty assigned to each Kohathite man.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, second item)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; paired with עַל to cover both task and load — 'to his service and to his burden.'
מַשָּׂאֽוֹhis burdenN m sg constr + 3ms sf · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Object of preposition וְאֶלמַשָּׂא (H4853) 'burden, load', from נָשָׂא 'to carry' + 3ms sf.; distinguishing the assigned task (עֲבֹדָה) from the physical object carried (מַשָּׂא) — together the priests hand over both duty and cargo so the Kohathites never touch or see the holy things unmediated.
20
וְלֹא יָבֹ֧אוּ לִרְא֛וֹת כְּבַלַּ֥ע אֶת הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ וָמֵֽתוּ
But they shall not go in to look at the holy things even for a moment, lest they die.
The chapter's third and starkest death-warning (cf. vv.15, 19): the idiom כְּבַלַּע, 'as long as a swallow', permits not even an instantaneous glimpse, underscoring why priestly mediation (v.19) is non-negotiable.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְלֹאbut they shall notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the main verbלֹא (H3808), plain negative; categorically excludes the act named by the following verb.
יָבֹ֧אוּgo inQal impf 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Yiqtol: categorical prohibition — no entry permittedבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; here the Kohathites (unlike Aaron and his sons in v.19) are barred from entering to look.
לִרְא֛וֹתto seeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Purpose infinitive, complementing יָבֹאוּ→ Infinitive construct: purposeרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; even the act of looking at the uncovered holy objects is forbidden to non-priests.
כְּבַלַּ֥עfor even a momentprep כְּ + Piel inf constr · בָּלַע (H1104)Adverbial temporal phrase (idiom for an instant)→ Infinitive construct (idiomatic): the briefest conceivable durationבָּלַע (H1104) Piel infinitive construct, lit. 'as a swallowing'; the idiom כְּבַלַּע denotes the time it takes to swallow — not even a fleeting glimpse of the holy things is tolerated.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking הַקֹּדֶשׁ as the object of לִרְאוֹת.
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁthe holy thingsart + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Direct objectקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holy thing(s)'; here shorthand for the most holy objects just named in v.19.
וָמֵֽתוּlest they dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (consequential weqatal)→ Weqatal: consequence — the fatal result of transgressionמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the climactic third death-warning of the chapter (cf. vv.15, 19), closing the Kohath regulations on the sharpest possible note.
21
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,
The standard wayyiqtol formula marks a fresh divine speech, opening the second of the chapter's three Levitical-clan census units (Gershon, vv.21-28), structurally paralleling v.1's introduction of the Kohath unit.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רAnd he spokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (narrative main line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — opens a new speech unitדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the standard formula introducing a fresh unit of divine legislation to Moses.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God (the Tetragrammaton).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward.'
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's leader and mediator of the law.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: introduces reported/direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר conventionally opens the quoted divine speech that follows.
22
נָשֹׂ֗א אֶת רֹ֛אשׁ בְּנֵ֥י גֵרְשׁ֖וֹן גַּם הֵ֑ם לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָ֖ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם
Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers' houses, by their clans.
Mirrors the Kohath census opening of v.2; גַּם הֵם, 'them too', explicitly marks the reuse of the same formula for the second Levitical clan.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
נָשֹׂ֗אTake a census ofQal inf abs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate (infinitive absolute for imperative, main clause)→ Infinitive absolute functioning as imperative: emphatic commandנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; idiom נָשׂא רֹאשׁ 'lift the head' = 'take a census, count', matching 1:2 and 3:15.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן as the object of the census idiom.
רֹ֛אשׁthe count ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Direct object (head of construct/idiom)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; here in the census idiom נָשׂא רֹאשׁ, 'take a count.'
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) pl. constr., 'sons of.'
גֵרְשׁ֖וֹןGershonN proper · גֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648)Genitive completing the construct chainגֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648), Levi's firstborn (Gen 46:11), eponymous ancestor of the clans here assigned the tabernacle's fabric coverings and hangings (vv.24-26).
גַּםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Focus particle, modifying הֵםגַּם (H1571) 'also, even, likewise'; signals that Gershon receives the same census-and-service treatment already given Kohath.
הֵ֑םthey toopers pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Independent pronoun, resumptive/emphaticהֵם/הוּא (H1992) 3mp independent pronoun, emphatic — 'them too', paired with גַּם.
לְבֵ֥יתby house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial phrase (distribution)בַּיִת (H1004) constr., 'house of'; לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם, 'by their fathers' houses', the standard census-distribution formula.
אֲבֹתָ֖םtheir fathersN m pl constr + 3mp sf · אָב (H1)Genitive completing the construct chainאָב (H1) pl. constr. + 3mp sf., 'their fathers.'
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽםby their clansprep לְ + N f pl constr + 3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial phrase (distribution), coordinate with לְבֵית אֲבֹתָםמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) pl. constr. + 3mp sf., 'their clans.'
23
מִבֶּן֩ שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים שָׁנָ֜ה וָמַ֗עְלָה עַ֛ד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה תִּפְקֹ֣ד אוֹתָ֑ם כָּל הַבָּא֙ לִצְבֹ֣א צָבָ֔א לַעֲבֹ֥ד עֲבֹדָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד
From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old you shall enroll them, everyone who comes to perform the service-levy, to serve the service of the tent of meeting.
Reuses the thirty-to-fifty age bracket of v.3 verbatim but substitutes לַעֲבֹד עֲבֹדָה, 'to serve service', for v.3's לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה, 'to do work' — a shift from the craftsmanship-labor of handling holy furniture to the transport-service of carrying curtains and cords.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
מִבֶּן֩from the age ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial phrase (lower age bound)בֵּן (H1121) constr. with מִן; idiom מִבֶּן שָׁנָה, 'from a son of [x] years' = 'from age x.'
שְׁלֹשִׁ֨יםthirtycardinal number, common pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Genitive numeral completing the constructשְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty.'
שָׁנָ֜הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
וָמַ֗עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv (directional ה) · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase, open upper extension of the rangeמַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward'; with וָ, 'and upward', marking the range's open lower-to-higher direction.
עַ֛דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase (upper age bound)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as.'
בֶּןthe age ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition עַד (age idiom)בֵּן (H1121) constr.; idiom בֶּן [x] שָׁנָה, 'x years old.'
חֲמִשִּׁ֥יםfiftycardinal number, common pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Genitive numeral completing the constructחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty.'
שָׁנָ֖הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
תִּפְקֹ֣דyou shall enrollQal impf 2ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the census mandateפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster, appoint'; the chapter's key administrative verb for cultic/military enrollment.
אוֹתָ֑םthemobj marker + 3mp sf · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 3mp sf., referring to the Gershonite men.
כָּלeveryoneN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject/apposition (head of construct)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every.'
הַבָּא֙who comesart + Qal ptc ms · בּוֹא (H935)Substantival participle in apposition, defining the enrolled group→ Participle: characterizing/durative — the qualifying class of menבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; participle הַבָּא, 'the one who comes/enters [into service]', the recurring qualifying phrase across all three clan censuses (cf. v.3).
לִצְבֹ֣אto performprep לְ + Qal inf constr · צָבָא (H6633)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive construct: purposeצָבָא (H6633) 'to wage war, serve, muster', denominative from צָבָא 'army, service' — framing cultic labor in military-levy terms (cf. v.3).
צָבָ֔אthe service-levyN c sg abs · צָבָא (H6635)Cognate-accusative object of לִצְבֹאצָבָא (H6635) 'army, host, service, hard service'; cognate accusative reinforcing לִצְבֹא — 'to serve a service-levy.'
לַעֲבֹ֥דto serveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive, in series with לִצְבֹא→ Infinitive construct: purposeעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve'; note this differs from v.3's לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה ('to do work'), a craftsmanship term for Kohath's handling of holy objects — here and throughout the Gershon/Merari sections the עבד root frames the labor as transport-service.
עֲבֹדָ֖הserviceN f sg abs · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Cognate-accusative object of the preceding infinitive (לַעֲבֹד)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, labor'; cognate accusative of לַעֲבֹד — the term for Gershon/Merari's carrying-duty, distinct from Kohath's מְלָאכָה of v.3.
בְּאֹ֥הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) constr., 'tent of.'
מוֹעֵֽדmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place, meeting'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, 'tent of meeting.'
24
זֹ֣את עֲבֹדַ֔ת מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י לַעֲבֹ֖ד וּלְמַשָּֽׂא
This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites, to serve and to carry:
Introduces the itemized list of Gershonite burdens (vv.25-26) with the same 'this is the service of...' heading used for Kohath in v.4, pairing the infinitive לַעֲבֹד with the noun מַשָּׂא, 'burden', to capture both active service and physical loads.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
זֹ֣אתThis isdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject/demonstrative, heading formulaזֹאת (H2063) fem. demonstrative 'this'; opens the summary-heading formula matching v.4's Kohath heading.
עֲבֹדַ֔תthe service ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) constr., 'service of.'
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖תthe clans ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Genitive completing the construct chainמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) pl. constr., 'clans of.'
הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑יthe Gershonitesart + gentilic adj ms · גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649)Genitive completing the construct chainגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649), gentilic of Gershon, 'the Gershonite [clan-group].'
לַעֲבֹ֖דto serveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Epexegetical infinitive, specifying the content of 'service'→ Infinitive construct: epexegeticalעָבַד (H5647) as in v.23; specifying the active-service side of the Gershonite duty.
וּלְמַשָּֽׂאand to carryconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg abs · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Coordinate prepositional phrase, specifying the physical-burden side of 'service'מַשָּׂא (H4853) 'burden, thing carried'; paired with the infinitive לַעֲבֹד to capture both the active labor and the physical loads Gershon transports (vv.25-26).
25
וְנָ֨שְׂא֜וּ אֶת יְרִיעֹ֤ת הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ וְאֶת אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד מִכְסֵ֕הוּ וּמִכְסֵ֛ה הַתַּ֥חַשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָלָ֖יו מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְאֶ֨ת מָסַ֔ךְ פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד
They shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, its covering, and the covering of taḥash-skin that is on top of it, and the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting;
Opens the itemized Gershonite inventory — curtains, tent-cloth, both coverings, and the entrance screen — the soft-goods layer of the sanctuary, distinct from Kohath's furniture (vv.5-15) and Merari's structural frame (vv.31-32).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְנָ֨שְׂא֜וּThey shall carryconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause, opening the itemized list)→ Weqatal: sequential — the enumeration of Gershon's loads beginsנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the chapter's key verb for the Levites' transport-duty.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking יְרִיעֹת הַמִּשְׁכָּן as the first object carried.
יְרִיעֹ֤תthe curtains ofN f pl constr · יְרִיעָה (H3407)Direct object (head of construct chain)יְרִיעָה (H3407) 'curtain, tent-cloth'; the woven fabric panels forming the tabernacle's inner covering (cf. Exod 26).
הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙the tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive completing the construct chainמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling-place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell.'
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second item)אֵת (H853) marking אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד as a second, distinct object carried alongside the curtains.
אֹ֣הֶלthe tent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Direct object (head of construct chain)אֹהֶל (H168) constr., 'tent of' — here the goat-hair tent-structure distinct from the linen יְרִיעֹת.
מוֹעֵ֔דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'meeting'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד as an item in Gershon's load — the outer tent-cloth structure itself.
מִכְסֵ֕הוּits coveringN m sg constr + 3ms sf · מִכְסֶה (H4372)Direct object, in apposition/seriesמִכְסֶה (H4372) 'covering' + 3ms sf.; the goat-hair covering laid over the linen curtains (Exod 26:14).
וּמִכְסֵ֛הand the covering ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · מִכְסֶה (H4372)Direct object (head of construct chain), coordinateמִכְסֶה (H4372) constr., 'covering of.'
הַתַּ֥חַשׁthe taḥash-skinart + N m sg abs · תַּחַשׁ (H8476)Genitive completing the construct chainתַּחַשׁ (H8476), an animal of disputed identity whose hide furnished the outermost, weatherproof layer of the sanctum coverings (cf. v.10).
אֲשֶׁרthat isrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle, introducing a relative clause modifying הַתַּחַשׁאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'which, that.'
עָלָ֖יוon itprep עַל + 3ms sf · עַל (H5921)Predicate of the relative clause (locative)עַל (H5921) + 3ms sf., 'upon it', referring back to the goat-hair covering.
מִלְמָ֑עְלָהon topprep מִן + prep לְ + adv (directional ה) · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase, intensifying עָלָיומַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward, above'; מִלְמַעְלָה, 'from above, on top', pinpointing the taḥash-skin as the outermost, topmost layer.
וְאֶ֨תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (final item)אֵת (H853) marking מָסַךְ פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד as the final object in the list.
מָסַ֔ךְthe screen ofN m sg constr · מָסָךְ (H4539)Direct object (head of construct chain)מָסָךְ (H4539) 'screen, hanging'; the woven curtain hung at the tent's entrance (Exod 26:36).
פֶּ֖תַחthe entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Genitive completing the construct chainפֶּתַח (H6607) constr., 'entrance, opening of.'
אֹ֥הֶלthe tent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive completing the construct chainאֹהֶל (H168) constr., 'tent of.'
מוֹעֵֽדmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'meeting'; closing the fabric/covering inventory with the entrance screen.
26
וְאֵת֩ קַלְעֵ֨י הֶֽחָצֵ֜ר וְאֶת מָסַ֣ךְ פֶּ֣תַח שַׁ֣עַר הֶחָצֵ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּ֤ן וְעַל הַמִּזְבֵּ֨חַ֙ סָבִ֔יב וְאֵת֙ מֵֽיתְרֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֶֽת כָּל כְּלֵ֖י עֲבֹדָתָ֑ם וְאֵ֨ת כָּל אֲשֶׁ֧ר יֵעָשֶׂ֛ה לָהֶ֖ם וְעָבָֽדוּ
and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the court that surrounds the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords, and all the equipment for their service, and whatever needs to be done with them — thus they shall serve.
Completes the Gershonite inventory with the court's perimeter hangings, gate screen, and cords, then a catch-all clause, closing with וְעָבָדוּ, 'thus they shall serve' — a summarizing verb that ends the list before v.27 subordinates it all to priestly command.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וְאֵת֩and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (continuing the list)אֵת (H853) marking קַלְעֵי הֶחָצֵר as the next item carried.
קַלְעֵ֨יthe hangings ofN m pl constr · קֶלַע (H7050)Direct object (head of construct chain)קֶלַע (H7050) 'hanging, curtain'; the vertical fabric screens forming the court's perimeter wall (Exod 27:9).
הֶֽחָצֵ֜רthe courtart + N c sg abs · חָצֵר (H2691)Genitive completing the construct chainחָצֵר (H2691) 'court, enclosure'; the open courtyard surrounding tabernacle and altar.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (next item)אֵת (H853) marking מָסַךְ פֶּתַח שַׁעַר הֶחָצֵר as the next item.
מָסַ֣ךְthe screen ofN m sg constr · מָסָךְ (H4539)Direct object (head of construct chain)מָסָךְ (H4539) constr., 'screen of' — here the court's single gate-screen.
פֶּ֣תַחthe entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Genitive completing the construct chainפֶּתַח (H6607) constr., 'entrance of.'
שַׁ֣עַרthe gate ofN m sg constr · שַׁעַר (H8179)Genitive completing the construct chainשַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; here the court's single entrance.
הֶחָצֵ֗רthe courtart + N c sg abs · חָצֵר (H2691)Genitive completing the construct chainחָצֵר (H2691) 'court, enclosure.'
אֲשֶׁ֨רthat isrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle, introducing a relative clause modifying הֶחָצֵראֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'which, that.'
עַלaroundprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (first element)עַל (H5921) 'upon, around'; the court's hangings encircle the tabernacle.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֤ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of preposition עַלמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'tabernacle, dwelling-place.'
וְעַלand aroundconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (second element)עַל (H5921) 'upon, around', coordinate with the preceding עַל.
הַמִּזְבֵּ֨חַ֙the altarart + N m sg abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Object of preposition וְעַלמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; here the outer bronze altar standing within the court.
סָבִ֔יבall aroundN c sg abs · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial accusative, intensifying the locative senseסָבִיב (H5439) 'surrounding area, circuit'; used adverbially, 'all around', confirming the court encloses both tabernacle and altar.
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (next item)אֵת (H853) marking מֵיתְרֵיהֶם as the next item.
מֵֽיתְרֵיהֶ֔םtheir cordsN m pl constr + 3mp sf · מֵיתָר (H4340)Direct objectמֵיתָר (H4340) 'cord, string' + 3mp sf.; the guy-ropes securing the court hangings and pegs.
וְאֶֽתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (next item)אֵת (H853) marking כָּל כְּלֵי עֲבֹדָתָם as the next item.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every.'
כְּלֵ֖יthe equipment ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive completing the construct chainכְּלִי (H3627) pl. constr., 'implements, equipment of.'
עֲבֹדָתָ֑םtheir serviceN f sg constr + 3mp sf · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive completing the construct chainעֲבֹדָה (H5656) + 3mp sf., 'their service.'
וְאֵ֨תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (final item)אֵת (H853) marking כָּל אֲשֶׁר יֵעָשֶׂה לָהֶם, the catch-all closing item.
כָּלwhateverN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of relative clause)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whatever'; heading the relative clause that follows.
אֲשֶׁ֧רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle, introducing the relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'which, that.'
יֵעָשֶׂ֛הneeds to be doneNiphal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of relative clause (passive)→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): general/customary — an open-ended catch-all dutyעָשָׂה (H6213) Niphal 'to be done, made'; a catch-all clause covering any ancillary task tied to these implements.
לָהֶ֖םfor themprep לְ + 3mp suffPrepositional phrase, completing the relative clauseלְ, preposition 'to, for' + 3mp sf., referring to the equipment/cords just listed.
וְעָבָֽדוּthus they shall serveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (weqatal, summarizing consequence)→ Weqatal: summarizing consequence — closing the inventoryעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work'; the closing verb summarizing the whole list as the Gershonites' act of service, before v.27 subordinates it all to priestly command.
27
עַל פִּי֩ אַהֲרֹ֨ן וּבָנָ֜יו תִּהְיֶ֗ה כָּל עֲבֹדַת֙ בְּנֵ֣י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֔י לְכָל מַשָּׂאָ֔ם וּלְכֹ֖ל עֲבֹדָתָ֑ם וּפְקַדְתֶּ֤ם עֲלֵהֶם֙ בְּמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת אֵ֖ת כָּל מַשָּׂאָֽם
At the command of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, for all their burdens and all their service; and you shall assign to them, as a charge, all their burdens.
Subordinates the entire preceding inventory to עַל פִּי אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו, 'at the command of Aaron and his sons' — the Gershonites never act autonomously — then instructs that each man's load be formally assigned as a מִשְׁמֶרֶת, 'charge.'
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
עַלAtprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, fronted (governing authority)עַל (H5921) 'upon, at'; idiom עַל פִּי, 'at the mouth/command of.'
פִּי֩the mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiom עַל פִּי, 'at the command/direction of' — the priestly-authority formula governing all Gershonite labor.
אַהֲרֹ֨ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive completing the idiomאַהֲרֹן (H175), the high priest.
וּבָנָ֜יוand his sonsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the idiom, coordinate with אַהֲרֹןבֵּן (H1121) pl. constr. + 3ms sf., 'his sons'; the ordinary priests.
תִּהְיֶ֗הshall beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, copular)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — establishing the ongoing chain of authorityהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; establishes that all Gershonite labor stands under priestly command.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every.'
עֲבֹדַת֙the service ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive completing the construct chainעֲבֹדָה (H5656) constr., 'service of.'
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) pl. constr., 'sons of.'
הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֔יthe Gershonitesart + gentilic adj ms · גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649)Genitive completing the construct chainגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649), gentilic of Gershon.
לְכָלfor all ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (scope, first item)כֹּל (H3605) constr. + לְ, 'for all of.'
מַשָּׂאָ֔םtheir burdensN m sg constr + 3mp sf · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Genitive completing the phraseמַשָּׂא (H4853) + 3mp sf., 'their burdens.'
וּלְכֹ֖לand all ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (scope, second item), coordinateכֹּל (H3605) constr. + וּלְ, 'and for all of.'
עֲבֹדָתָ֑םtheir serviceN f sg constr + 3mp sf · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive completing the phraseעֲבֹדָה (H5656) + 3mp sf., 'their service.'
וּפְקַדְתֶּ֤םand you shall assignconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (weqatal, sequential injunction, addressed to Moses/priests)→ Weqatal: sequential injunction — the formal act of assignmentפָּקַד (H6485) 'to appoint, muster, assign, attend to'; here 'assign, put in charge of' — the same root shifts sense from census-taking (vv.22-23) to task-assignment.
עֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep עַל + 3mp sf · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (recipients)עַל (H5921) + 3mp sf., 'upon/to them', the Gershonite men.
בְּמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶתas a chargeprep בְּ + N f sg abs · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/status)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) 'charge, duty, guard-post', from שָׁמַר 'to keep, guard'; frames the assigned burdens as a formal charge, echoing the Levitical guard-duty vocabulary of ch. 3.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking כָּל מַשָּׂאָם as the object of וּפְקַדְתֶּם.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every.'
מַשָּׂאָֽםtheir burdenN m sg constr + 3mp sf · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Genitive completing the construct chainמַשָּׂא (H4853) + 3mp sf., 'their burden' — restating the object being formally assigned.
28
זֹ֣את עֲבֹדַ֗ת מִשְׁפְּחֹ֛ת בְּנֵ֥י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וּמִ֨שְׁמַרְתָּ֔ם בְּיַד֙ אִֽיתָמָ֔ר בֶּֽן אַהֲרֹ֖ן הַכֹּהֵֽן
This is the service of the clans of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting; and their charge shall be in the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
Closes the Gershon section with the chapter's recurring 'this is the service of...' summary (cf. v.4, v.33) and names Ithamar as field-supervisor — a detail repeated verbatim for Merari in v.33, pairing the two carrying-clans under one subordinate priestly overseer.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
זֹ֣אתThis isdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject/demonstrative, heading formulaזֹאת (H2063), opening the summary-heading formula matching v.4 and v.24.
עֲבֹדַ֗תthe service ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) constr., 'service of.'
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֛תthe clans ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Genitive completing the construct chainמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) pl. constr., 'clans of.'
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) pl. constr., 'sons of.'
הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖יthe Gershonitesart + gentilic adj ms · גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649)Genitive completing the construct chainגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649), gentilic of Gershon.
בְּאֹ֣הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) constr., 'tent of.'
מוֹעֵ֑דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'meeting.'
וּמִ֨שְׁמַרְתָּ֔םand their chargeconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3mp sf · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Subject of an implied 'shall be', coordinate clauseמִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) + 3mp sf.; summarizing the whole preceding list (vv.25-27) as one 'charge' placed under Ithamar's oversight.
בְּיַד֙shall be in the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Predicate locative phrase (authority idiom)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom בְּיַד, 'in the hand of, under the authority of' — Ithamar personally supervises the Gershonites.
אִֽיתָמָ֔רIthamarN proper · אִיתָמָר (H385)Object of preposition בְּיַדאִיתָמָר (H385), Aaron's youngest son, here introduced as field-supervisor of the Gershonite (and, per v.33, Merarite) transport-Levites.
בֶּֽןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition, identifying Ithamarבֵּן (H1121) constr., 'son of.'
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive completing the appositionאַהֲרֹן (H175), the high priest, Ithamar's father.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to אַהֲרֹןכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest', with article; identifying Aaron by office.
29
בְּנֵ֖י מְרָרִ֑י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֥ם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָ֖ם תִּפְקֹ֥ד אֹתָֽם
The sons of Merari — by their clans, by their fathers' houses — you shall enroll them,
Opens the third and final Levitical clan-census with the same פקד formula used for Kohath (v.2) and Gershon (v.22), though without גַּם since the pattern is now well established.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
בְּנֵ֖יThe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject/topic (head of construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) pl. constr., 'sons of'; opens the third and final Levitical clan-census.
מְרָרִ֑יMerariN proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Genitive completing the construct chainמְרָרִי (H4847), Levi's third son (Gen 46:11), eponymous ancestor of the clans assigned the tabernacle's heaviest structural components (vv.31-32).
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֥םby their clansprep לְ + N f pl constr + 3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial phrase (distribution)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) pl. constr. + 3mp sf., 'their clans.'
לְבֵיתby house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial phrase (distribution), coordinateבַּיִת (H1004) constr., 'house of.'
אֲבֹתָ֖םtheir fathersN m pl constr + 3mp sf · אָב (H1)Genitive completing the construct chainאָב (H1) pl. constr. + 3mp sf., 'their fathers.'
תִּפְקֹ֥דyou shall enrollQal impf 2ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the census mandate opening the Merari unitפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster'; the same formula opening the Kohath (v.2) and Gershon (v.22) censuses.
אֹתָֽםthemobj marker + 3mp sf · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 3mp sf., referring to the Merarite men.
30
מִבֶּן֩ שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים שָׁנָ֜ה וָמַ֗עְלָה וְעַ֛ד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה תִּפְקְדֵ֑ם כָּל הַבָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַעֲבֹ֕ד אֶת עֲבֹדַ֖ת אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד
from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old you shall enroll them, everyone who comes for the service, to do the service of the tent of meeting.
Completes the thirty-to-fifty formula for the third clan, phrased slightly more compactly than v.23 — a suffixed תִּפְקְדֵם instead of a separate אֹתָם, and אֶת עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד as a direct object rather than the cognate-accusative לַעֲבֹד עֲבֹדָה — stylistic variation, identical substance.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
מִבֶּן֩from the age ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial phrase (lower age bound)בֵּן (H1121) constr. with מִן; idiom, 'from age x.'
שְׁלֹשִׁ֨יםthirtycardinal number, common pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Genitive numeral completing the constructשְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty.'
שָׁנָ֜הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
וָמַ֗עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv (directional ה) · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase, open upper extension of the rangeמַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward'; with וָ, 'and upward.'
וְעַ֛דand untilconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase (upper age bound)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as', with conjunction.
בֶּןthe age ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition וְעַד (age idiom)בֵּן (H1121) constr.; idiom בֶּן [x] שָׁנָה, 'x years old.'
חֲמִשִּׁ֥יםfiftycardinal number, common pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Genitive numeral completing the constructחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty.'
שָׁנָ֖הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
תִּפְקְדֵ֑םyou shall enroll themQal impf 2ms + 3mp sf · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (main clause, with pronominal object suffix)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the census mandateפָּקַד (H6485) with 3mp object suffix directly on the verb rather than a separate אֹתָם (contrast v.23) — a stylistic variation, same sense.
כָּלeveryoneN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject/apposition (head of construct)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every.'
הַבָּא֙who comesart + Qal ptc ms · בּוֹא (H935)Substantival participle in apposition, defining the enrolled group→ Participle: characterizing/durativeבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; participle הַבָּא as in v.23.
לַצָּבָ֔אfor the service-levyprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · צָבָא (H6635)Prepositional phrase (purpose)צָבָא (H6635) 'army, host, service'; here articular לַצָּבָא, 'for the service', a more compact phrasing than v.23's verbal לִצְבֹא צָבָא.
לַעֲבֹ֕דto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive construct: purposeעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve', governing the following direct object אֶת עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד as the direct object of לַעֲבֹד — here a true object rather than v.23's cognate accusative.
עֲבֹדַ֖תthe service ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Direct object (head of construct chain)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) constr., 'service of.'
אֹ֥הֶלthe tent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive completing the construct chainאֹהֶל (H168) constr., 'tent of.'
מוֹעֵֽדmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'meeting.'
31
וְזֹאת֙ מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת מַשָּׂאָ֔ם לְכָל עֲבֹדָתָ֖ם בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד קַרְשֵׁי֙ הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן וּבְרִיחָ֖יו וְעַמּוּדָ֥יו וַאֲדָנָֽיו
And this is the charge of their burden for all their service in the tent of meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets;
Opens the Merarite inventory with מִשְׁמֶרֶת מַשָּׂאָם, 'the charge of their burden' (echoing v.27's terminology), then lists the tabernacle's heavy wooden and metal skeleton — the structural counterpart to Gershon's soft-goods (vv.25-26).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְזֹאת֙This isconj וְ + dem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject/demonstrative, heading formulaזֹאת (H2063), opening the Merarite duty-list, echoing v.24's Gershon heading.
מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶתthe charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) constr., 'charge of', echoing v.27's terminology for Gershon.
מַשָּׂאָ֔םtheir burdenN m sg constr + 3mp sf · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Genitive completing the construct chainמַשָּׂא (H4853) + 3mp sf., 'their burden.'
לְכָלfor all ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (scope)כֹּל (H3605) constr. + לְ, 'for all of.'
עֲבֹדָתָ֖םtheir serviceN f sg constr + 3mp sf · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive completing the phraseעֲבֹדָה (H5656) + 3mp sf., 'their service.'
בְּאֹ֣הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) constr., 'tent of.'
מוֹעֵ֑דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'meeting.'
קַרְשֵׁי֙the frames ofN m pl constr · קֶרֶשׁ (H7175)Direct object (head of construct chain, first item of the list)קֶרֶשׁ (H7175) 'frame, board, plank'; the standing wooden frames forming the tabernacle's walls (Exod 26:15-30) — the heaviest single component, fittingly assigned to Merari.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive completing the construct chainמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'tabernacle, dwelling-place.'
וּבְרִיחָ֖יוand its barsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3ms sf · בְּרִיחַ (H1280)Direct object, coordinateבְּרִיחַ (H1280) 'bar, crossbar' + 3ms sf.; the horizontal bars threading through rings on the frames to lock them together (Exod 26:26-29).
וְעַמּוּדָ֥יוand its pillarsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3ms sf · עַמּוּד (H5982)Direct object, coordinateעַמּוּד (H5982) 'pillar, column' + 3ms sf.; the pillars supporting the veil and screen (Exod 26:32,37).
וַאֲדָנָֽיוand its socketsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3ms sf · אֶדֶן (H134)Direct object, coordinateאֶדֶן (H134) 'socket, base, pedestal' + 3ms sf.; the silver/bronze footings into which frames and pillars were set (Exod 26:19, 27:10).
32
וְעַמּוּדֵי֩ הֶחָצֵ֨ר סָבִ֜יב וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֗ם וִֽיתֵדֹתָם֙ וּמֵ֣יתְרֵיהֶ֔ם לְכָל כְּלֵיהֶ֔ם וּלְכֹ֖ל עֲבֹדָתָ֑ם וּבְשֵׁמֹ֣ת תִּפְקְד֔וּ אֶת כְּלֵ֖י מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת מַשָּׂאָֽם
and the pillars of the court all around, and their sockets, their pegs, and their cords, with all their equipment and all their service; and by name you shall assign the items that are the charge of their burden.
Completes the Merarite inventory with the court's perimeter pillars, sockets, pegs, and cords, then closes with וּבְשֵׁמֹת תִּפְקְדוּ, 'by name you shall assign' — the most granular assignment instruction in the chapter, designating each heavy item to a specific carrier.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְעַמּוּדֵי֩and the pillars ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · עַמּוּד (H5982)Direct object (head of construct chain), continuing the list from v.31עַמּוּד (H5982) pl. constr., 'pillars of' — now the court's pillars, distinct from v.31's tabernacle pillars.
הֶחָצֵ֨רthe courtart + N c sg abs · חָצֵר (H2691)Genitive completing the construct chainחָצֵר (H2691) 'court, enclosure.'
סָבִ֜יבall aroundN c sg abs · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial accusative, intensifying the locative senseסָבִיב (H5439) 'surrounding area, circuit', used adverbially — the pillars ring the whole court perimeter.
וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֗םand their socketsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3mp sf · אֶדֶן (H134)Direct object, coordinateאֶדֶן (H134) pl. constr. + 3mp sf., 'their sockets.'
וִֽיתֵדֹתָם֙and their pegsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3mp sf · יָתֵד (H3489)Direct object, coordinateיָתֵד (H3489) 'peg, pin, stake' + 3mp sf.; the tent-pegs anchoring the court's hangings and cords to the ground.
וּמֵ֣יתְרֵיהֶ֔םand their cordsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3mp sf · מֵיתָר (H4340)Direct object, coordinateמֵיתָר (H4340) pl. constr. + 3mp sf., 'their cords.'
לְכָלwith all ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment/scope)כֹּל (H3605) constr. + לְ, 'with/for all of.'
כְּלֵיהֶ֔םtheir equipmentN m pl constr + 3mp sf · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive completing the phraseכְּלִי (H3627) pl. constr. + 3mp sf., 'their equipment.'
וּלְכֹ֖לand all ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (scope), coordinateכֹּל (H3605) constr. + וּלְ, 'and for all of.'
עֲבֹדָתָ֑םtheir serviceN f sg constr + 3mp sf · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive completing the phraseעֲבֹדָה (H5656) + 3mp sf., 'their service.'
וּבְשֵׁמֹ֣תand by nameconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m pl abs · שֵׁם (H8034)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)שֵׁם (H8034) pl., 'names'; idiom בְּשֵׁמֹת, 'by name(s)' = individually, item-by-item — a precise, itemized assignment.
תִּפְקְד֔וּyou shall assignQal impf 2mp · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive injunction — itemized assignment of specific objectsפָּקַד (H6485) here in its 'assign, allot, put in charge of [objects]' sense, matching v.27's usage for Gershon's loads.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking כְּלֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת מַשָּׂאָם as the object of תִּפְקְדוּ.
כְּלֵ֖יthe items ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Direct object (head of construct chain)כְּלִי (H3627) pl. constr., 'implements, items of.'
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶתthe charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Genitive completing the construct chainמִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) constr., 'charge of.'
מַשָּׂאָֽםtheir burdenN m sg constr + 3mp sf · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Genitive completing the construct chainמַשָּׂא (H4853) + 3mp sf., 'their burden' — the most granular assignment instruction in the chapter.
33
זֹ֣את עֲבֹדַ֗ת מִשְׁפְּחֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֔י לְכָל עֲבֹדָתָ֖ם בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד בְּיַד֙ אִֽיתָמָ֔ר בֶּֽן אַהֲרֹ֖ן הַכֹּהֵֽן
This is the service of the clans of the sons of Merari, for all their service in the tent of meeting, in the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
Closes the Merari section — and the chapter's three-part census of Kohath, Gershon, and Merari — with the same summary formula as v.28, again placing Ithamar in field-oversight; the parallel structure of vv.28 and 33 frames Gershon and Merari as a matched pair of transport-clans, distinct from Kohath's more perilous, directly priest-handled holy cargo.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
זֹ֣אתThis isdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject/demonstrative, heading formulaזֹאת (H2063), closing summary formula parallel to v.28.
עֲבֹדַ֗תthe service ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) constr., 'service of.'
מִשְׁפְּחֹת֙the clans ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Genitive completing the construct chainמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) pl. constr., 'clans of.'
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) pl. constr., 'sons of.'
מְרָרִ֔יMerariN proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Genitive completing the construct chainמְרָרִי (H4847), the third Levitical clan-ancestor.
לְכָלfor all ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (scope)כֹּל (H3605) constr. + לְ, 'for all of.'
עֲבֹדָתָ֖םtheir serviceN f sg constr + 3mp sf · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive completing the phraseעֲבֹדָה (H5656) + 3mp sf., 'their service.'
בְּאֹ֣הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) constr., 'tent of.'
מוֹעֵ֑דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'meeting.'
בְּיַד֙in the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Predicate locative phrase (authority idiom)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom בְּיַד, 'under the authority of', repeating v.28's formula for Merari.
אִֽיתָמָ֔רIthamarN proper · אִיתָמָר (H385)Object of preposition בְּיַדאִיתָמָר (H385), Aaron's son, field-supervisor of both Gershon (v.28) and Merari, forming a matched pair of transport-clans under one subordinate overseer.
בֶּֽןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition, identifying Ithamarבֵּן (H1121) constr., 'son of.'
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive completing the appositionאַהֲרֹן (H175), the high priest.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to אַהֲרֹןכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest', with article.
34
וַיִּפְקֹ֨ד מֹשֶׁ֧ה וְאַהֲרֹ֛ן וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י הָעֵדָ֖ה אֶת בְּנֵ֣י הַקְּהָתִ֑י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם וּלְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם
And Moses and Aaron and the leaders of the congregation counted the sons of the Kohathites by their clans and by their fathers' houses,
The verb וַיִּפְקֹד shifts the chapter from commanded מִפְקָד instructions to narrated fulfillment; the threefold subject — Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation — matches the census-taking formula of Numbers 1, signaling a formal, witnessed muster rather than a bare priestly headcount.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּפְקֹ֨דcountedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (main clause), wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the divine census command now historically executedפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster, appoint'; the chapter's governing administrative verb, here narrated as accomplished fact after three rounds of instruction (vv. 1-33).
מֹשֶׁ֧הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject (first of three)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); first of the three-agent subject executing the census (cf. v. 46).
וְאַהֲרֹ֛ןand Aaronconj וְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject, second of three (coordinate)אַהֲרֹן (H175); co-executor of the census alongside Moses, consistent with his role directing the covering-rite (vv. 5-15) and the safeguard of vv. 17-20.
וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥יand the leaders ofconj וְ + N mp constr · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Subject, third of three (construct head)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'leader, chief, prince'; the tribal leaders who assisted with the wilderness census throughout Numbers (cf. 1:16, 44); their presence signals a formal, witnessed muster.
הָעֵדָ֖הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive completing the construct (of the leaders)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the leaders of the עֵדָה act as Israel's corporate representatives in the census.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בְּנֵי הַקְּהָתִי as the definite direct object of וַיִּפְקֹד.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN mp constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here 'sons of' = members of the Kohathite clan.
הַקְּהָתִ֑יthe Kohathitesart + gentilic adj ms · קְהָתִי (H6956)Genitive completing the construct (gentilic)קְהָתִי (H6956), gentilic of קְהָת (Kohath), Levi's second son; his descendants bear the most holy furniture (vv. 4-15).
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖םby their clansprep לְ + N fp constr + 3mp sf · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (distributive)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the census is organized by clan, matching the instruction of v. 2.
וּלְבֵ֥יתand by the house ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial prepositional phrase, coordinate with לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָםבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; בֵּית אָבוֹת, 'fathers' houses', the sub-clan patrilineal unit.
אֲבֹתָֽםtheir fathersN mp constr + 3mp sf · אָב (H1)Genitive completing the construct (בֵּית אֲבֹתָם)אָב (H1) 'father'; בֵּית אֲבֹתָם, 'the house of their fathers', the standard census unit throughout Numbers.
35
מִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל הַבָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַעֲבֹדָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד
from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old, everyone who comes for the service, for the service in the tent of meeting.
The fourth occurrence of the thirty-to-fifty bracket, now attached to the executed Kohathite census rather than the earlier commands; כָּל הַבָּא לַצָּבָא לַעֲבֹדָה בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד matches the phrasing of vv. 39, 43 for Gershon and Merari, giving the three totals-reports a uniform template.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
מִבֶּ֨ןfrom the age ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial phrase (lower age bound)בֵּן (H1121) constr. with מִן; idiom מִבֶּן...שָׁנָה, 'from age x.'
שְׁלֹשִׁ֤יםthirtycardinal number, common pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Genitive numeral completing the constructשְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty.'
שָׁנָה֙years oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
וָמַ֔עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv (directional ה) · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase, open upper extension of the rangeמַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward'; with וָ, 'and upward.'
וְעַ֖דand untilconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (upper bound)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as.'
בֶּןthe age ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of measure (upper bound)Second בֵּן (H1121) in the formula, now for the upper age limit.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣יםfiftycardinal number, common pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Genitive numeral completing the constructחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty.'
שָׁנָ֑הyears oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)Second שָׁנָה (H8141), completing the 'thirty to fifty' bracket.
כָּלeveryone whoN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head, 'all who...')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; heads a substantival participle clause, 'everyone entering.'
הַבָּא֙comesart + Qal ptc ms · בּוֹא (H935)Attributive/substantival participle, defining כָּל→ Participle: characterizes ongoing eligibility for serviceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the recurring qualifying participle for eligible men across all three clan censuses.
לַצָּבָ֔אfor the serviceprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · צָבָא (H6635)Prepositional phrase (purpose)צָבָא (H6635) 'host, army, service'; the levitical workforce cast in military-muster terms, as in v. 3.
לַעֲבֹדָ֖הfor the serviceprep לְ + N f sg abs · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Prepositional phrase, in series with לַצָּבָא (purpose)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, labor'; paired here with צָבָא as a second purpose-phrase rather than v. 30's cognate-accusative infinitive construction.
בְּאֹ֥הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent.'
מוֹעֵֽדmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, 'tent of meeting.'
36
וַיִּהְי֥וּ פְקֻדֵיהֶ֖ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם אַלְפַּ֕יִם שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת וַחֲמִשִּֽׁים
And their numbered ones by their clans were 2,750.
The wayyiqtol וַיִּהְיוּ shifts from procedure to arithmetic result — the first of three clan subtotals (2,750 + 2,630 + 3,200 = 8,580, v. 48), confirming the internal consistency of the MT's numbers.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּהְי֥וּand they wereQal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause), wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introducing the numerical resultהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here introducing a copular total, 'and X were [the number] Y.'
פְקֻדֵיהֶ֖םtheir numbered onesQal passive ptc mp constr + 3mp sf · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject of וַיִּהְיוּ→ Passive participle: substantized as 'the registered ones' — a technical census-roll usageפָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc., 'the numbered/mustered ones'; substantized as the census-roll noun, functioning almost as a technical term ('the registered').
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑םby their clansprep לְ + N fp constr + 3mp sf · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (distributive)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
אַלְפַּ֕יִםtwo thousandcardinal number, dual abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Predicate nominative (numeral, first element of the total)אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; dual form אַלְפַּיִם, 'two thousand.'
שְׁבַ֥עsevencardinal number, f sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Numeral modifying מֵאוֹת (hundreds)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven.'
מֵא֖וֹתhundredN fp abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive completing the numeral (שְׁבַע מֵאוֹת = 'seven hundred')מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred', pl. מֵאוֹת.
וַחֲמִשִּֽׁיםand fiftyconj וְ + cardinal number, common pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Numeral, final element of the total (2,000 + 700 + 50 = 2,750)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; completes the total אַלְפַּיִם שְׁבַע מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים, 2,750.
37
אֵ֤לֶּה פְקוּדֵי֙ מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַקְּהָתִ֔י כָּל הָעֹבֵ֖ד בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר פָּקַ֤ד מֹשֶׁה֙ וְאַהֲרֹ֔ן עַל פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה בְּיַד מֹשֶֽׁה
These are the numbered ones of the clans of the Kohathites, everyone serving in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the command of YHWH by the hand of Moses.
The demonstrative-headed closing formula אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי..., repeated for Gershon (v. 41) and Merari (v. 45), grounds the census in divine authority (עַל פִּי יְהוָה) mediated through Moses (בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה) — the same 'command...hand' formula used elsewhere for Mosaic administration.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
אֵ֤לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron, common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the verbless clause (cataphoric)אֵלֶּה (H428), pl. demonstrative 'these'; opens the closing colophon formula repeated in vv. 41, 45.
פְקוּדֵי֙the numbered ones ofQal passive ptc mp constr · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate nominative (construct head)→ Passive participle: substantized as 'the registered/mustered'פָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc constr.; 'the numbered ones of', heading the summary formula.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣תthe clans ofN fp constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Genitive completing the constructמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
הַקְּהָתִ֔יthe Kohathitesart + gentilic adj ms · קְהָתִי (H6956)Genitive completing the construct (gentilic)קְהָתִי (H6956), gentilic of Kohath.
כָּלeveryoneN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Apposition to the numbered ones (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every.'
הָעֹבֵ֖דservingart + Qal ptc ms · עָבַד (H5647)Substantival participle in apposition, defining כָּל→ Participle: characterizes ongoing eligible serviceעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve'; here the general term for Kohathite duty, distinct from the specific מַשָּׂא ('burden-carrying') that vv. 15-20 forbid them from performing without priestly mediation.
בְּאֹ֣הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent.'
מוֹעֵ֑דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place.'
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a subordinate clause modifying the numbered onesאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
פָּקַ֤דnumberedQal perf 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, official act of enrollmentפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster.'
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject (first of two)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); co-subject of the numbering with Aaron.
וְאַהֲרֹ֔ןand Aaronconj וְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject, second (coordinate)אַהֲרֹן (H175).
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (basis/standard)עַל (H5921) 'upon, according to'; in the idiom עַל פִּי, 'at the command of, according to the mouth of.'
פִּ֥יthe command ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Genitive completing the idiom עַל פִּיפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; עַל פִּי, lit. 'upon the mouth of' = 'at the command/order of', grounding the census in direct divine authorization (cf. v. 49).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the construct (source of the command)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the census, though executed by human agents, is grounded in divine command.
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · יָד (H3027)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means of mediation)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; בְּיַד, idiom 'by the hand/agency of', marking Moses as the mediating administrator of YHWH's command.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive completing the construct (agent of mediation)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); named again to specify the human channel of the divine command — 'the mouth of YHWH, the hand of Moses.'
38
וּפְקוּדֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י גֵרְשׁ֑וֹן לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֖ם וּלְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם
And the numbered ones of the sons of Gershon, by their clans, by their fathers' houses,
Unlike v. 34's finite וַיִּפְקֹד, the Gershon report opens with the passive participle פְקוּדֵי as a bare heading — a terser, list-like formulation matching v. 42's opening for Merari.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וּפְקוּדֵ֖יand the numbered ones ofconj וְ + Qal passive ptc mp constr · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject (construct head, nominal sentence opening)→ Passive participle: substantized as 'the registered', opening a nominal heading rather than a finite clauseפָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc constr.; the Gershon report opens directly with this heading noun rather than a wayyiqtol, a terser register than v. 34.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN mp constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the constructבֵּן (H1121) 'son.'
גֵרְשׁ֑וֹןGershonN proper · גֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648)Genitive completing the construct (clan eponym)גֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648), Levi's firstborn, whose descendants carry the tabernacle's fabric components (curtains, coverings).
לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֖םby their clansprep לְ + N fp constr + 3mp sf · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (distributive)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
וּלְבֵ֥יתand by the house ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial prepositional phrase, coordinateבַּיִת (H1004) 'house.'
אֲבֹתָֽםtheir fathersN mp constr + 3mp sf · אָב (H1)Genitive completing the constructאָב (H1) 'father.'
39
מִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל הַבָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַעֲבֹדָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד
from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old, everyone who comes for the service, for the service in the tent of meeting.
The fifth occurrence of the thirty-to-fifty bracket, word-for-word identical to v. 35's Kohath report; the totals-formula for Gershon (vv. 38-41) now mirrors Kohath's (vv. 34-37) exactly, before Merari (vv. 42-45) follows the same template a third time.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
מִבֶּ֨ןfrom the age ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial phrase (lower age bound)בֵּן (H1121) constr. with מִן; idiom מִבֶּן...שָׁנָה, 'from age x.'
שְׁלֹשִׁ֤יםthirtycardinal number, common pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Genitive numeral completing the constructשְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty.'
שָׁנָה֙years oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
וָמַ֔עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv (directional ה) · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase, open upper extension of the rangeמַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward'; with וָ, 'and upward.'
וְעַ֖דand untilconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (upper bound)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as.'
בֶּןthe age ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of measure (upper bound)Second בֵּן (H1121) in the formula, now for the upper age limit.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣יםfiftycardinal number, common pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Genitive numeral completing the constructחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty.'
שָׁנָ֑הyears oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)Second שָׁנָה (H8141), completing the 'thirty to fifty' bracket.
כָּלeveryone whoN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head, 'all who...')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; heads a substantival participle clause, 'everyone entering.'
הַבָּא֙comesart + Qal ptc ms · בּוֹא (H935)Attributive/substantival participle, defining כָּל→ Participle: characterizes ongoing eligibility for serviceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the recurring qualifying participle for eligible men across all three clan censuses.
לַצָּבָ֔אfor the serviceprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · צָבָא (H6635)Prepositional phrase (purpose)צָבָא (H6635) 'host, army, service'; the levitical workforce cast in military-muster terms, as in v. 3.
לַעֲבֹדָ֖הfor the serviceprep לְ + N f sg abs · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Prepositional phrase, in series with לַצָּבָא (purpose)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, labor'; paired here with צָבָא as a second purpose-phrase.
בְּאֹ֥הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent.'
מוֹעֵֽדmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, 'tent of meeting.'
40
וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ פְּקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם אַלְפַּ֕יִם וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וּשְׁלֹשִֽׁים
And their numbered ones, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, were 2,630.
Second term in the arithmetic check of v. 48: 2,750 (Kohath) + 2,630 (Gershon) + 3,200 (Merari) = 8,580.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙and they wereQal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introducing the numerical resultהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become.'
פְּקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔םtheir numbered onesQal passive ptc mp constr + 3mp sf · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject of וַיִּהְיוּ→ Passive participle: substantized, 'the registered'פָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖םby their clansprep לְ + N fp constr + 3mp sf · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phraseמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
לְבֵ֣יתby the house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial prepositional phrase, coordinate (asyndetic, no וְ)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; here without the copulative וְ found in v. 36's parallel phrase, a minor stylistic variation.
אֲבֹתָ֑םtheir fathersN mp constr + 3mp sf · אָב (H1)Genitive completing the constructאָב (H1) 'father.'
אַלְפַּ֕יִםtwo thousandcardinal number, dual abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Predicate nominative (numeral)אֶלֶף (H505) dual, 'two thousand.'
וְשֵׁ֥שׁand sixconj וְ + cardinal number, f sg abs · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Numeral modifying מֵאוֹתשֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six.'
מֵא֖וֹתhundredN fp abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive completing the numeral (שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת = 'six hundred')מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred', pl. מֵאוֹת.
וּשְׁלֹשִֽׁיםand thirtyconj וְ + cardinal number, common pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Numeral, final element of the total (2,000 + 600 + 30 = 2,630)שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; completes 2,630.
41
אֵ֣לֶּה פְקוּדֵ֗י מִשְׁפְּחֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י גֵרְשׁ֔וֹן כָּל הָעֹבֵ֖ד בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר פָּקַ֥ד מֹשֶׁ֛ה וְאַהֲרֹ֖ן עַל פִּ֥י יְהוָֽה
These are the numbered ones of the clans of the sons of Gershon, everyone serving in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the command of YHWH.
Matches v. 37's colophon almost verbatim but omits the closing בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה, 'by the hand of Moses', found in the Kohath (v. 37) and Merari (v. 45) colophons; the shorter form varies the refrain, since Moses is already named as co-agent earlier in the verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron, common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the verbless clause (cataphoric)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these.'
פְקוּדֵ֗יthe numbered ones ofQal passive ptc mp constr · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate nominative (construct head)→ Passive participle: substantized, 'the registered'פָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc constr.
מִשְׁפְּחֹת֙the clans ofN fp constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Genitive completing the constructמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN mp constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the constructבֵּן (H1121) 'son.'
גֵרְשׁ֔וֹןGershonN proper · גֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648)Genitive completing the constructגֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648).
כָּלeveryoneN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Apposition to the numbered onesכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every.'
הָעֹבֵ֖דservingart + Qal ptc ms · עָבַד (H5647)Substantival participle in apposition→ Participle: characterizes ongoing eligible serviceעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve.'
בְּאֹ֣הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent.'
מוֹעֵ֑דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place.'
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronounאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
פָּקַ֥דnumberedQal perf 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, official act of enrollmentפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster.'
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject (first of two)מֹשֶׁה (H4872).
וְאַהֲרֹ֖ןand Aaronconj וְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject, second (coordinate)אַהֲרֹן (H175).
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (basis/standard)עַל (H5921) 'upon, according to'; idiom עַל פִּי.
פִּ֥יthe command ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Genitive completing the idiomפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; עַל פִּי, 'at the command of.'
יְהוָֽהYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the constructיְהוָה (H3068); the census's ultimate authorization.
42
וּפְקוּדֵ֕י מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֑י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם
And the numbered ones of the clans of the sons of Merari, by their clans, by their fathers' houses,
As with v. 38, the Merari report opens with a bare participial heading, פְקוּדֵי, rather than a finite verb, before the numerical total in v. 44.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּפְקוּדֵ֕יand the numbered ones ofconj וְ + Qal passive ptc mp constr · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject (construct head, nominal sentence opening)→ Passive participle: substantized headingפָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc constr.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖תthe clans ofN fp constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Genitive completing the constructמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN mp constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the constructבֵּן (H1121) 'son.'
מְרָרִ֑יMerariN proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Genitive completing the construct (clan eponym)מְרָרִי (H4847), Levi's third son, whose descendants carry the tabernacle's structural frame (vv. 31-32).
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖םby their clansprep לְ + N fp constr + 3mp sf · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phraseמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
לְבֵ֥יתby the house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial prepositional phrase, coordinateבַּיִת (H1004) 'house.'
אֲבֹתָֽםtheir fathersN mp constr + 3mp sf · אָב (H1)Genitive completing the constructאָב (H1) 'father.'
43
מִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל הַבָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַעֲבֹדָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד
from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old, everyone who comes for the service, for the service in the tent of meeting.
The sixth and final occurrence of the standard thirty-to-fifty bracket in this shorter form, again word-for-word identical to vv. 35, 39 — the three totals-reports (Kohath, Gershon, Merari) now stand fully parallel before the grand-total unit of vv. 46-49 introduces a different, expanded age-formula (v. 47).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
מִבֶּ֨ןfrom the age ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial phrase (lower age bound)בֵּן (H1121) constr. with מִן; idiom מִבֶּן...שָׁנָה, 'from age x.'
שְׁלֹשִׁ֤יםthirtycardinal number, common pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Genitive numeral completing the constructשְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty.'
שָׁנָה֙years oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
וָמַ֔עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv (directional ה) · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase, open upper extension of the rangeמַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward'; with וָ, 'and upward.'
וְעַ֖דand untilconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (upper bound)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as.'
בֶּןthe age ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of measure (upper bound)Second בֵּן (H1121) in the formula, now for the upper age limit.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣יםfiftycardinal number, common pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Genitive numeral completing the constructחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty.'
שָׁנָ֑הyears oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the construct (age unit)Second שָׁנָה (H8141), completing the 'thirty to fifty' bracket.
כָּלeveryone whoN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head, 'all who...')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; heads a substantival participle clause, 'everyone entering.'
הַבָּא֙comesart + Qal ptc ms · בּוֹא (H935)Attributive/substantival participle, defining כָּל→ Participle: characterizes ongoing eligibility for serviceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the recurring qualifying participle for eligible men across all three clan censuses.
לַצָּבָ֔אfor the serviceprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · צָבָא (H6635)Prepositional phrase (purpose)צָבָא (H6635) 'host, army, service'; the levitical workforce cast in military-muster terms, as in v. 3.
לַעֲבֹדָ֖הfor the serviceprep לְ + N f sg abs · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Prepositional phrase, in series with לַצָּבָא (purpose)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, labor'; paired here with צָבָא as a second purpose-phrase.
בְּאֹ֥הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent.'
מוֹעֵֽדmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, 'tent of meeting.'
44
וַיִּהְי֥וּ פְקֻדֵיהֶ֖ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים וּמָאתָֽיִם
And their numbered ones by their clans were 3,200.
Third term in the arithmetic check of v. 48: 2,750 + 2,630 + 3,200 = 8,580, confirming the textual soundness of the totals.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיִּהְי֥וּand they wereQal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become.'
פְקֻדֵיהֶ֖םtheir numbered onesQal passive ptc mp constr + 3mp sf · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject of וַיִּהְיוּ→ Passive participle: substantized, 'the registered'פָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑םby their clansprep לְ + N fp constr + 3mp sf · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phraseמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁתthreecardinal number, m sg constr · שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969)Numeral (construct head of the total)שְׁלֹשָׁה/שְׁלֹשֶׁת (H7969) 'three', construct form governing אֲלָפִים.
אֲלָפִ֖יםthousandN mp abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive completing the numeral (שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים = 'three thousand')אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand', pl. אֲלָפִים.
וּמָאתָֽיִםand two hundredconj וְ + N f dual abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral, final element of the total (3,000 + 200 = 3,200)מֵאָה (H3967) dual מָאתַיִם, 'two hundred'; completes the total 3,200.
45
אֵ֣לֶּה פְקוּדֵ֔י מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר פָּקַ֤ד מֹשֶׁה֙ וְאַהֲרֹ֔ן עַל פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה בְּיַד מֹשֶֽׁה
These are the numbered ones of the clans of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the command of YHWH by the hand of Moses.
The shortest of the three colophons: it omits the כָּל הָעֹבֵד בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד clause present in vv. 37, 41, moving directly from the clan designation to the אֲשֶׁר-relative naming Moses and Aaron as agents; it does, however, restore the closing בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה found in v. 37 but absent from v. 41 — the three colophons vary independently rather than following one fixed template.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron, common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the verbless clause (cataphoric)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these.'
פְקוּדֵ֔יthe numbered ones ofQal passive ptc mp constr · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate nominative (construct head)→ Passive participle: substantized, 'the registered'פָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc constr.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖תthe clans ofN fp constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Genitive completing the constructמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN mp constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the constructבֵּן (H1121) 'son.'
מְרָרִ֑יMerariN proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Genitive completing the constructמְרָרִי (H4847).
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronounאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
פָּקַ֤דnumberedQal perf 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, official act of enrollmentפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster.'
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject (first of two)מֹשֶׁה (H4872).
וְאַהֲרֹ֔ןand Aaronconj וְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject, second (coordinate)אַהֲרֹן (H175).
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (basis/standard)עַל (H5921) 'upon, according to.'
פִּ֥יthe command ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Genitive completing the idiomפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; עַל פִּי, 'at the command of.'
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the constructיְהוָה (H3068).
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · יָד (H3027)Instrumental prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom of mediated agency.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive completing the constructמֹשֶׁה (H4872); closes the Kohath and Merari colophons with Mosaic mediation.
46
כָּֽל הַפְּקֻדִ֡ים אֲשֶׁר֩ פָּקַ֨ד מֹשֶׁ֧ה וְאַהֲרֹ֛ן וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶת הַלְוִיִּ֑ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם וּלְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם
All the numbered ones whom Moses and Aaron and the leaders of Israel numbered — the Levites — by their clans and by their fathers' houses,
Echoes v. 34's opening triad (Moses, Aaron, and the leaders — here 'of Israel' rather than 'of the congregation') but now totals across all three clans as הַלְוִיִּם, 'the Levites', collectively.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כָּֽלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; opens the grand-total heading.
הַפְּקֻדִ֡יםthe numbered onesart + Qal passive ptc mp abs · פָּקַד (H6485)Genitive completing the construct (כָּל הַפְּקֻדִים, 'all the numbered ones')→ Passive participle: substantized, 'the registered'פָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc.; with the article, 'the numbered ones' as a defined class — the grand total of all Levitical service-age men.
אֲשֶׁר֩whomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronounאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
פָּקַ֨דnumberedQal perf 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, official act of enrollmentפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster.'
מֹשֶׁ֧הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject (first of three)מֹשֶׁה (H4872).
וְאַהֲרֹ֛ןand Aaronconj וְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject, second (coordinate)אַהֲרֹן (H175).
וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥יand the leaders ofconj וְ + N mp constr · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Subject, third (construct head)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'leader, chief'; here 'the leaders of Israel' rather than v. 34's 'leaders of the congregation' — synonymous variation.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive completing the constructיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation on whose behalf the leaders act.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַלְוִיִּם as the definite direct object of פָּקַד.
הַלְוִיִּ֑םthe Levitesart + gentilic adj mp · לֵוִי (H3881)Direct objectלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic pl.; the collective term embracing all three clans (Kohath, Gershon, Merari) just totaled individually.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖םby their clansprep לְ + N fp constr + 3mp sf · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (distributive)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan.'
וּלְבֵ֥יתand by the house ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial prepositional phrase, coordinateבַּיִת (H1004) 'house.'
אֲבֹתָֽםtheir fathersN mp constr + 3mp sf · אָב (H1)Genitive completing the constructאָב (H1) 'father.'
47
מִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל הַבָּ֗א לַעֲבֹ֨ד עֲבֹדַ֧ת עֲבֹדָ֛ה וַעֲבֹדַ֥ת מַשָּׂ֖א בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד
from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old, everyone who came in to do the work of service and the work of burden in the tent of meeting.
The final and most elaborate occurrence of the thirty-to-fifty bracket abandons the vv. 35/39/43 template (כָּל הַבָּא לַצָּבָא לַעֲבֹדָה בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד) for a doubled construct chain, עֲבֹדַת עֲבֹדָה וַעֲבֹדַת מַשָּׂא, pairing the two Hebrew terms for service (tending) and burden (carrying) as a merism covering every kind of Levitical labor across all three clans.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
מִבֶּ֨ןfrom the age ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial phrase (lower age bound)בֵּן (H1121) constr. with מִן; idiom 'from age x.'
שְׁלֹשִׁ֤יםthirtycardinal number, common pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Genitive numeral completing the constructשְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty.'
שָׁנָה֙years oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the constructשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
וָמַ֔עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv (directional ה) · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase, open upper extensionמַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward.'
וְעַ֖דand untilconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (upper bound)עַד (H5704) 'until.'
בֶּןthe age ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of measure (upper bound)Second בֵּן (H1121).
חֲמִשִּׁ֣יםfiftycardinal number, common pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Genitive numeral completing the constructחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty.'
שָׁנָ֑הyears oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive completing the constructSecond שָׁנָה (H8141).
כָּלeveryone whoN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every.'
הַבָּ֗אcomesart + Qal ptc ms · בּוֹא (H935)Attributive/substantival participle, defining כָּל→ Participle: characterizes ongoing eligibility for serviceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the final occurrence of this recurring qualifying participle.
לַעֲבֹ֨דto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive construct: purposeעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve'; governs the doubled cognate-construct object that follows.
עֲבֹדַ֧תthe work ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Cognate-accusative object of לַעֲבֹד (construct head)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, labor'; first of the paired construct nouns.
עֲבֹדָ֛הserviceN f sg abs · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive completing the construct (עֲבֹדַת עֲבֹדָה, 'the work of service')עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, tending'; the same noun repeated in construct and absolute, an emphatic doubling — 'the service of service', i.e., the work of ordinary tending/handling.
וַעֲבֹדַ֥תand the work ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Cognate-accusative object, coordinate (second construct head)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service'; introduces the second half of the merism, paired with מַשָּׂא.
מַשָּׂ֖אburdenN m sg abs · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Genitive completing the construct (עֲבֹדַת מַשָּׂא, 'the work of burden')מַשָּׂא (H4853) 'burden, load', from נָשָׂא 'to carry'; paired with עֲבֹדָה as a merism for all Levitical duty — tending the holy things and carrying them.
בְּאֹ֥הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent.'
מוֹעֵֽדmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive completing the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place.'
48
וַיִּהְי֖וּ פְּקֻדֵיהֶ֑ם שְׁמֹנַ֣ת אֲלָפִ֔ים וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וּשְׁמֹנִֽים
And their numbered ones were 8,580.
The final sum, 8,580, is exactly 2,750 + 2,630 + 3,200 — the three clan subtotals of vv. 36, 40, 44 — confirming the arithmetic, and hence likely textual, soundness of the MT's numbers at each stage.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּהְי֖וּand they wereQal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the climactic grand totalהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become.'
פְּקֻדֵיהֶ֑םtheir numbered onesQal passive ptc mp constr + 3mp sf · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject of וַיִּהְיוּ→ Passive participle: substantized, 'the registered'פָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc.; now referring to all Levites combined.
שְׁמֹנַ֣תeightcardinal number, f sg constr · שְׁמֹנֶה (H8083)Numeral (construct head of the total)שְׁמֹנֶה (H8083) 'eight', construct שְׁמֹנַת governing אֲלָפִים.
אֲלָפִ֔יםthousandN mp abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive completing the numeral (שְׁמֹנַת אֲלָפִים = 'eight thousand')אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand', pl. אֲלָפִים.
וַחֲמֵ֥שׁand fiveconj וְ + cardinal number, f sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral modifying מֵאוֹתחָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five.'
מֵא֖וֹתhundredN fp abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive completing the numeral (חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת = 'five hundred')מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred', pl. מֵאוֹת.
וּשְׁמֹנִֽיםand eightyconj וְ + cardinal number, common pl abs · שְׁמֹנִים (H8084)Numeral, final element of the total (8,000 + 500 + 80 = 8,580)שְׁמֹנִים (H8084) 'eighty'; completes the grand total 8,580, matching the sum of vv. 36, 40, 44.
49
עַל פִּ֨י יְהוָ֜ה פָּקַ֤ד אוֹתָם֙ בְּיַד מֹשֶׁ֔ה אִ֥ישׁ אִ֛ישׁ עַל עֲבֹדָת֖וֹ וְעַל מַשָּׂא֑וֹ וּפְקֻדָ֕יו אֲשֶׁר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת מֹשֶֽׁה
At the command of YHWH they were numbered, by the hand of Moses, each and every man according to his service and according to his burden; and his numbered ones were those whom YHWH commanded Moses.
The chapter's final verse fronts עַל פִּי יְהוָה before the verb for emphasis, and adds אִישׁ אִישׁ, 'each and every man' — stressing that behind the aggregate number of v. 48 lies a personal assignment for every individual, closing the chapter on the same note of divine command and Mosaic mediation that framed vv. 37, 41, 45.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (basis/standard), fronted for emphasisעַל (H5921) 'upon, according to'; idiom עַל פִּי, here fronted before the verb for emphasis — the census's ultimate ground stated first.
פִּ֨יthe command ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Genitive completing the idiom עַל פִּיפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; עַל פִּי, 'at the command of.'
יְהוָ֜הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the constructיְהוָה (H3068); the chapter's closing colophon returns to its ultimate authority.
פָּקַ֤דthey were numberedQal perf 3ms (impersonal/passive sense) · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, summarizing the whole censusפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster'; active form used with impersonal/passive force, 'one numbered them' = 'they were numbered.'
אוֹתָם֙themobj marker + 3mp sf · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 3mp sf.; referring to all the numbered Levites of v. 48.
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · יָד (H3027)Instrumental prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the recurring idiom of Mosaic mediation.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive completing the constructמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
אִ֥ישׁeachN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Adverbial accusative (distributive, first of doubled noun)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; doubled אִישׁ אִישׁ is the standard Hebrew distributive idiom, 'each and every man.'
אִ֛ישׁand every manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Adverbial accusative (distributive, second of doubled noun)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; repetition intensifies the distributive sense — every individual, not merely the class as a whole, received a specific assignment (cf. v. 19's אִישׁ אִישׁ עַל עֲבֹדָתוֹ).
עַלaccording toprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (standard/norm)עַל (H5921) 'according to, concerning.'
עֲבֹדָת֖וֹhis serviceN f sg constr + 3ms sf · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Object of the preposition עַלעֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service'; individualized to each man's assigned tending-duty.
וְעַלand according toconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, coordinateעַל (H5921) 'according to.'
מַשָּׂא֑וֹhis burdenN m sg constr + 3ms sf · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Object of the preposition וְעַלמַשָּׂא (H4853) 'burden, load'; individualized carrying-assignment, paired with עֲבֹדָתוֹ as in v. 47's merism, now applied per person.
וּפְקֻדָ֕יוand his numbered onesconj וְ + Qal passive ptc mp constr + 3ms sf · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject of the closing verbless/relative clause→ Passive participle: substantized, 'those numbered by him' — the men enrolled at Moses' directionפָּקַד (H6485) Qal passive ptc. + 3ms sf.; 'his numbered ones' = those Moses enrolled, echoing 'by the hand of Moses' earlier in the verse.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the final clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle.
צִוָּ֥הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act — YHWH's original command now fully carried outצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; the chapter's very last verb returns to the divine command that set the whole census in motion (v. 1), forming an inclusio.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); the chapter's final subject, closing the inclusio with v. 1.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מֹשֶׁה as the object of צִוָּה.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct objectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the chapter's very last word, the human mediator through whom every instruction in Numbers 4 has passed.