Numbers 4:31 Meaning and Explanation
“And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Merarites are charged with carrying the tabernacle's wooden frame: boards, bars, pillars, and sockets.
The Context of Numbers 4:31
Merarites' primary duty: transporting the tabernacle's wooden structural components.
What Does Numbers 4:31 Mean?
While the Kohathites carry holy vessels and the Gershonites carry curtains and coverings, the Merarites are assigned the structural skeleton: the acacia wood boards (walls), the bars (cross-beams), the pillars (vertical supports), and the sockets (bases). These form the framework of the tabernacle building itself.
This division of labor is logical: the heaviest, most cumbersome structural pieces go to one family, allowing task specialization. The Merarites' work, though less directly connected to sacred items than the Kohathites', is foundational. Without the frame, there is no shelter for the holy items.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 4:31
What does Numbers 4:31 mean?
Merarites are charged with carrying the tabernacle's wooden frame: boards, bars, pillars, and sockets.
What is the context of Numbers 4:31?
Merarites' primary duty: transporting the tabernacle's wooden structural components.