Numbers 4:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →All tools and vessels used at the bronze altar are placed on top of it, then protected with badgers' skins and poles.
The Context of Numbers 4:14
Assembling and securing all bronze altar tools and the altar itself.
What Does Numbers 4:14 Mean?
The bronze altar's associated tools—censers (for carrying coals), fleshhooks (for handling meat), shovels (for moving ashes), basons (for collecting blood)—are gathered and stacked on the altar itself. Once all vessels are arranged, the entire load is covered with badgers' skins and poles (staves) are positioned through rings in the altar for carrying.
This method transforms the altar itself into a container for its own tools, creating an efficient, integrated carrying unit. The badgers' skin covering protects the metal and wooden implements from weather and damage. The careful layering and use of poles reflects the Kohathites' skill in managing these heavy, oddly-shaped items.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 4:14
What does Numbers 4:14 mean?
All tools and vessels used at the bronze altar are placed on top of it, then protected with badgers' skins and poles.
What is the context of Numbers 4:14?
Assembling and securing all bronze altar tools and the altar itself.