This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:
This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things, assigning them a specific sacred duty within God's ordered arrangements for the sanctuary, distinct from the responsibilities of the other Levite divisions. That appointed work was service concerning the most holy things, entrusted to designated Levites to carry and care for according to God's directions. It embraced caring for, carrying and transporting the ark, the candlestick and the other sacred furnishings, erecting the tabernacle and encamping around it while Israel pitched at a distance, and taking it down and bearing it with its sacred articles when Israel journeyed. Their assigned place in the camp was south of the tabernacle.
The sacred objects were not to be handled or carried indiscriminately or by any tribe that chose to undertake it, but by a designated family according to God's directions, making the transport of the ark and other holy things orderly and specific. The verse thus belongs to God's ordered arrangements for the sacred sanctuary and its handling, teaching that sacred service requires order and appointed responsibility, with specific Levite families and duties assigned for the ark, the tabernacle and its furnishings. The most holy things of the tabernacle were entrusted to appointed carriers precisely because of their sacredness, and all who served or approached them were to treat them with reverence and not handle them indiscriminately.
The Levites and the sons of Kohath were honored with this tabernacle service about the most holy things because they remained faithful when Israel made and worshiped the golden calf, taking no part in it and faithfully executing God's order upon the idolaters. This assigned service of caring for the most holy things did not give the Kohathites the priesthood or authority to claim a higher office. Because God thus honored them, they became ambitious for still higher office, seeking greater influence with the congregation by obtaining the priesthood and government.
This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things, assigning them a specific sacred duty within God's ordered arrangements for the sanctuary, distinct from the responsibilities of the other Levite divisions. That appointed work was service concerning the most holy things, entrusted to designated Levites to carry and care for according to God's directions. It embraced caring for, carrying and transporting the ark, the candlestick and the other sacred furnishings, erecting the tabernacle and encamping around it while Israel pitched at a distance, and taking it down and bearing it with its sacred articles when Israel journeyed. Their assigned place in the camp was south of the tabernacle.
The sacred objects were not to be handled or carried indiscriminately or by any tribe that chose to undertake it, but by a designated family according to God's directions, making the transport of the ark and other holy things orderly and specific. The verse thus belongs to God's ordered arrangements for the sacred sanctuary and its handling, teaching that sacred service requires order and appointed responsibility, with specific Levite families and duties assigned for the ark, the tabernacle and its furnishings. The most holy things of the tabernacle were entrusted to appointed carriers precisely because of their sacredness, and all who served or approached them were to treat them with reverence and not handle them indiscriminately.
The Levites and the sons of Kohath were honored with this tabernacle service about the most holy things because they remained faithful when Israel made and worshiped the golden calf, taking no part in it and faithfully executing God's order upon the idolaters. This assigned service of caring for the most holy things did not give the Kohathites the priesthood or authority to claim a higher office. Because God thus honored them, they became ambitious for still higher office, seeking greater influence with the congregation by obtaining the priesthood and government.