Numbers 4:21-28

The Work of the Gershonites

v. 21. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

v. 22. Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;

v. 23. from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shall thou number them, when they, according to God's order, were fit for service; all that enter in to perform the service, literally, "to war the warfare," for their service was a branch of warfare for God, to do the work in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

v. 24. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens, in carrying a part of the paraphernalia of the Sanctuary;

v. 25. and they shall bear the curtains of the Tabernacle, and the Tabernacle of the Congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers' skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation,

v. 26. and the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the Tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them; so shall they serve. Cf Numbers 3:24-Ezekiel :.

v. 27. At the appointment of Aaron and his sons, literally, "at his mouth," at his directions, shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service; and ye shall appoint unto them in charge of all their burdens. Both as porters on the way and in their work of assisting in the Sanctuary the Levites were strictly under the command of the priests, as directed by God.

v. 28. This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the Tabernacle of the Congregation; and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron, the priest.