| Barnes' Notes on the Bible To the Gershonites, who had to transport the hangings and coverings of the tabernacle, two wagons are assigned: to the Merarites, who had the charge of the solid parts of the tabernacle, four wagons. The furniture and vessels the Kohathites were to carry on their own shoulders. Compare Numbers 3:25-26, Numbers 3:31, Numbers 3:36-37. Clarke's Commentary on the BibleTwo wagons - unto the sons of Gershon - The Gershonites carried only the curtains, coverings, and hangings, Numbers 4:25. And although this was a cumbersome carriage, and they needed the wagons, yet it was not a heavy one. Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTwo wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon,.... The eldest son of Levi: according to their service; which was to bear and take care of the curtains, coverings, hangings and rails of the tabernacle; and which, when carrying from place to place, it was proper they should be covered from being exposed to rain and dust; and being so many as they were, must be heavy, burdensome, and cumbersome, and therefore two wagons, with two yoke of oxen, were given them, to ease them. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old TestamentHe gave two waggons and four oxen to the Gershonites, and four waggons and eight oxen to the Merarites, as the former had less weight to carry, in the coverings and curtains of the dwelling and the hangings of the court, than the latter, who had to take charge of the beams and pillars (Numbers 4:24., Numbers 4:31.). "Under the hand of Ithamar" (Numbers 7:8); as in Numbers 4:28, Numbers 4:33. The Kohathites received no waggon, because it was their place to attend to "the sanctuary" (the holy), i.e., the holy things, which had to be conveyed upon their shoulders, and were provided with poles for the purpose (Numbers 4:4.). Geneva Study BibleTwo wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, {c} according to their service: (c) For their use to carry with. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary7:1-9 The offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle was not made till it was fully set up. Necessary observances must always take place of free-will offerings. The more any are advanced, the greater opportunity they have of serving God and their generation. No sooner was the tabernacle set up, than provision is made for the removal of it. Even when but just settled in the world, we must be preparing for changes and removes, especially for the great change. |