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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 4:11 Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/4-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/04_Num_04_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 4:11 - The Duties of the Kohathites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/4-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/4-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/4-10.htm" title="Numbers 4:10">◄</a> Numbers 4:11 <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm" title="Numbers 4:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Next they must spread a blue cloth over the gold incense altar and cover this cloth with fine goatskin leather. Then they must attach the carrying poles to the altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And over the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue and cover it with a covering of goatskin, and shall put in its poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Over the golden altar they shall spread a violet cloth, and cover it with a covering of fine leather, and they shall insert its carrying poles;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth and cover it with a covering of porpoise skin, and shall insert its poles;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth and cover it with a covering of porpoise skin, and shall insert its poles;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth and cover it with a covering of porpoise skin and shall insert its poles;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Over the golden [incense] altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of porpoise skin, and shall insert its carrying poles;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“They are to spread a blue cloth over the gold altar, cover it with a covering made of fine leather, and insert its poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are to spread a blue cloth over the gold altar, cover it with a covering made of manatee skin, and insert its poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in the staves thereof:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The gold incense altar is to be covered with a blue cloth, and then with a piece of fine leather, before its carrying poles are put in place. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in the staves thereof:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"They will spread a violet cloth over the gold altar and cover the cloth with fine leather. Then they will put the poles in place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Next they shall spread a blue cloth over the gold altar, put a fine leather cover over it, and then insert the carrying poles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"On the golden altar, they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with a leather-dyed skin covering, and then insert its poles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"They must spread a blue cloth on the gold altar, and cover it with a covering of fine leather; and they must insert its poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />On the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to it its staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“On the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they spread a garment of blue over the golden altar, and have covered it with a covering of tachash skin, and have placed its poles,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And on the golden altar they spread a garment of blue, and have covered it with a covering of badger skin, and have placed its staves;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And upon the altar of gold they will spread a garment cerulean purple, and they covered it with a tahash skin covering, and they set up its bars.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they shall wrap up the golden altar also in a cloth of violet, and shall spread over it a cover of violet skins, and put in the bars. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And certainly they shall wrap the golden altar in a hyacinth garment, and they shall extend over it a covering of violet skins, and they shall draw in the bars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Over the golden altar they shall spread a violet cloth, and cover this also with a covering of yellow-orange skin, and put the poles in place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of fine leather, and shall put its poles in place;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon its poles;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And upon the altar of gold they shall cover with a perfect robe of dark blue and they shall cover it with a covering of leather of sky blue and they will set its poles.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall set the staves thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they shall put a blue cloth for a cover on the golden altar, and shall cover it with a blue skin cover, and put in its staves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/4-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=1132" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/4.htm">The Duties of the Kohathites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>Then they shall wrap it and all its utensils inside a covering of fine leather and put it on the carrying frame. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">Over</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: haz·zā·hāḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">the gold</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·baḥ (N-msc) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/6566.htm" title="6566: yip̄·rə·śū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To spread out, spread. A primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.">they are to spread</a> <a href="/hebrew/8504.htm" title="8504: tə·ḵê·leṯ (N-fs) -- Probably for shcheleth; the cerulean mussel, i.e. The color obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith.">a blue</a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: be·ḡeḏ (N-msc) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">cloth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3680.htm" title="3680: wə·ḵis·sū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To cover. A primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. Fill up hollows; by implication, to cover.">cover</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/4372.htm" title="4372: bə·miḵ·sêh (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A covering. From kacah; a covering, i.e. Weather-boarding.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/8476.htm" title="8476: tā·ḥaš (N-ms) -- Probably of foreign derivation; a animal with fur, probably a species of antelope.">fine leather,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5785.htm" title="5785: ‘ō·wr (N-ms) -- A skin. From uwr; skin; by implication, hide, leather."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: wə·śā·mū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">and insert</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: bad·dāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Separation, a part. ">the poles.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>They are to take all the utensils for serving in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather, and put them on the carrying frame.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/25-23.htm">Exodus 25:23-30</a></span><br />You are also to make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. / Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. / And make a rim around it a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/37-10.htm">Exodus 37:10-16</a></span><br />He also made the table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. / He overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. / And he made a rim around it a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/40-4.htm">Exodus 40:4</a></span><br />Then bring in the table and set out its arrangement; bring in the lampstand as well, and set up its lamps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/40-22.htm">Exodus 40:22-27</a></span><br />Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil. / He arranged the bread on it before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him. / He also placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-5.htm">Leviticus 24:5-9</a></span><br />You are also to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf, / and set them in two rows—six per row—on the table of pure gold before the LORD. / And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, a food offering to the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-48.htm">1 Kings 7:48</a></span><br />Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD: the golden altar; the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-19.htm">2 Chronicles 4:19</a></span><br />Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God: the golden altar; the tables on which was placed the Bread of the Presence;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-2.htm">Hebrews 9:2</a></span><br />A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/30-1.htm">Exodus 30:1-10</a></span><br />“You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense. / It is to be square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high. Its horns must be of one piece. / Overlay with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns, and make a molding of gold around it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/37-25.htm">Exodus 37:25-28</a></span><br />He made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high. Its horns were of one piece. / And he overlaid with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns. Then he made a molding of gold around it. / He made two gold rings below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles used to carry it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/40-5.htm">Exodus 40:5</a></span><br />Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/6-20.htm">1 Kings 6:20-22</a></span><br />The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar. / So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. / So he overlaid with gold the whole interior of the temple, until everything was completely finished. He also overlaid with gold the entire altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-18.htm">2 Chronicles 29:18</a></span><br />Then they went in to King Hezekiah and reported, “We have cleansed the entire house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the table of the showbread with all its utensils.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-4.htm">Matthew 12:4</a></span><br />He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/2-26.htm">Mark 2:26</a></span><br />During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And on the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/30-1.htm">Exodus 30:1-19</a></b></br> And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: <i>of</i> shittim wood shalt thou make it… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/37-25.htm">Exodus 37:25-28</a></b></br> And he made the incense altar <i>of</i> shittim wood: the length of it <i>was</i> a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; <i>it was</i> foursquare; and two cubits <i>was</i> the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/39-38.htm">Exodus 39:38</a></b></br> And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/3-26.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Badger</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Badgers</a> <a href="/numbers/4-9.htm">Blue</a> <a href="/numbers/4-9.htm">Cloth</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Cows</a> <a href="/numbers/4-9.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Goatskin</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-6.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Hides</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Insert</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Leather</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Porpoise</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Rods</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Sealskin</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Skins</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Staffs</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Staves</a> <a href="/numbers/4-10.htm">Thereof</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/4-13.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/numbers/4-25.htm">Badger</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Badgers</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Blue</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Cloth</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/numbers/4-25.htm">Cows</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Goatskin</a> <a href="/numbers/7-14.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Hides</a> <a href="/numbers/4-14.htm">Insert</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Leather</a> <a href="/numbers/10-5.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/numbers/4-14.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Porpoise</a> <a href="/numbers/17-2.htm">Rods</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Sealskin</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Skins</a> <a href="/numbers/4-13.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/numbers/17-7.htm">Staffs</a> <a href="/numbers/17-7.htm">Staves</a> <a href="/numbers/4-14.htm">Thereof</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-1.htm">The age at which the Levites were to serve, and the duration of the service</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-4.htm">The duty of the Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-16.htm">The charge of Eleazar</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-17.htm">The office of the priests</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-21.htm">The duty of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-29.htm">Of the Merarites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-34.htm">The number of the Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-38.htm">Of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-42.htm">And of the Merarites</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, symbolizing purity and divinity. This altar was used for burning incense, which represented the prayers of the people ascending to God (<a href="/psalms/141-2.htm">Psalm 141:2</a>; <a href="/revelation/8-3.htm">Revelation 8:3-4</a>). The use of gold signifies the preciousness and holiness of the worship offered to God.<p><b>they are to spread a blue cloth</b><br>The blue cloth represents the heavenly nature and divine authority. Blue is often associated with the heavens and the commandments of God (<a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Numbers 15:38-39</a>). The use of a blue cloth over the altar signifies the sacredness of the items being covered and the divine presence associated with them.<p><b>cover it with fine leather</b><br>Fine leather, often translated as "badger skins" or "sea cow hides," was used to protect the sacred objects from the elements and from being seen by unauthorized individuals. This covering ensured that the holiness of the altar was preserved during transport. The use of durable materials reflects the care and reverence required in handling holy objects.<p><b>and insert the poles</b><br>The poles were used to carry the altar without directly touching it, emphasizing the holiness and separateness of the sacred objects. This method of transport was commanded by God to ensure that the Levites, who were responsible for carrying the Tabernacle items, would not defile themselves by direct contact (<a href="/exodus/25-14.htm">Exodus 25:14-15</a>). The use of poles also points to the mobility of the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's presence with His people as they journeyed through the wilderness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_kohathites.htm">The Kohathites</a></b><br>A Levitical family responsible for the care of the most sacred objects of the tabernacle, including the gold altar.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_gold_altar.htm">The Gold Altar</a></b><br>Also known as the Altar of Incense, it was used for burning incense and symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle.htm">The Tabernacle</a></b><br>The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses_and_aaron.htm">Moses and Aaron</a></b><br>Leaders of the Israelites who were responsible for instructing the Levites in their duties.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness_journey.htm">The Wilderness Journey</a></b><br>The period during which the Israelites traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land, carrying the tabernacle with them.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_sacred_objects.htm">Reverence for Sacred Objects</a></b><br>The careful handling of the gold altar underscores the importance of reverence in worship. We should approach God with respect and honor in our worship practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_blue_cloth.htm">Symbolism of the Blue Cloth</a></b><br>The blue cloth represents the heavenly nature of the tabernacle's furnishings. As believers, we are called to set our minds on things above, reflecting the heavenly in our earthly lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_intercession.htm">Role of Intercession</a></b><br>The altar of incense symbolizes prayer and intercession. We are encouraged to be diligent in prayer, knowing that our prayers are a pleasing aroma to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_responsibility.htm">Community and Responsibility</a></b><br>The Kohathites' role highlights the importance of community and shared responsibility in the body of Christ. Each member has a unique role to play in the church.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_worship.htm">Preparation for Worship</a></b><br>The detailed preparation for moving the tabernacle teaches us the importance of preparing our hearts and minds for worship, ensuring that we are ready to meet with God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_leviticus_sacrifices_avoid_health_issues.htm">How feasible is it, historically, that large numbers of animal sacrifices described in Leviticus 4 could be carried out without creating severe public health issues?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_gershonites_handle_tent_weights.htm">Numbers 4:24-26 - How feasible is it that the Gershonites could manage the massive weights of curtains and tents in a desert setting?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_for_covering_the_ark.htm">Numbers 4:5-6 - Is there any archaeological evidence to support the precise handling of sacred objects, like covering the Ark before transport?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_israelites_gather_offerings.htm">Numbers 7:1-3: How could the Israelites, while wandering in the wilderness, assemble such large quantities of metals and animals for offerings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">And shall put to the staves thereof.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">And shall put in the staves thereof, </span>as in <a href="/numbers/4-6.htm" title="And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.">Numbers 4:6</a>; <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm" title="And they shall spread on them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.">Numbers 4:8</a>; so also in <a href="/numbers/4-14.htm" title="And they shall put on it all the vessels thereof, with which they minister about it, even the censers, the meat hooks, and the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread on it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.">Numbers 4:14</a>.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/4-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Over</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַ֣ל ׀</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the gold</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזָּהָ֗ב</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zā·hāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">altar</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבַּ֣ח</span> <span class="translit">(miz·baḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they are to spread</span><br /><span class="heb">יִפְרְשׂוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yip̄·rə·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6566.htm">Strong's 6566: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break apart, disperse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a blue</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּכֵ֔לֶת</span> <span class="translit">(tə·ḵê·leṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8504.htm">Strong's 8504: </a> </span><span class="str2">The cerulean mussel, the color, obtained therefrom, stuff dyed therewith</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cloth,</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּ֣גֶד</span> <span class="translit">(be·ḡeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_899.htm">Strong's 899: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cover</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכִסּ֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵis·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3680.htm">Strong's 3680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To plump, fill up hollows, to cover</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹת֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(bə·miḵ·sêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4372.htm">Strong's 4372: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, weatherboarding</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fine leather,</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּ֑חַשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḥaš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8476.htm">Strong's 8476: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps porpoise (a kind of leather or skin)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and insert</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשָׂמ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śā·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the poles.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּדָּֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(bad·dāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/4-11.htm">Numbers 4:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/4-11.htm">OT Law: Numbers 4:11 On the golden altar they shall spread (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/4-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 4:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 4:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/4-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 4:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 4:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>