Numbers 4:14

Verse

and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.

American Standard Version (1901)

and they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, the firepans, the flesh-hooks, and the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of sealskin, and put in the staves thereof.

Bible in Basic English

Placing on the cloth all its vessels, the fire-baskets, the meat-hooks, the spades, and the basins; all the vessels of the altar; they are to put a leather cover over all these, and put its rods in their places.

Free Bible Version

and put on it all the equipment used in the services on the altar: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls. Spread over it a fine leather covering and then insert its carrying poles.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

They shall put on it all its utensils, with which they minister about it, the fire pans, the meat hooks, the shovels, and the basins; all the utensils of the altar; and they shall spread on it a covering of sealskin, and put in its poles.

Translation for Translators

Then they must spread on top of the cloth all the items used at the altar—the pans for carrying the hot coals, the meat forks, the shovels, the bowls for containing the blood to sprinkle on the people, and all the other containers. Then they must spread over all those things a nice covering made from the skins of goats. Then they must insert into the rings at the sides of the altar the poles for carrying it.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They must put on the carrying frame all the equipment that they use in the work of the altar. These objects are the firepans, forks, shovels, bowls, and all the other equipment for the altar. They must cover the altar with sea cow skins and then insert the carrying poles.

Noah Webster Bible

And they shall put upon it all its vessels, with which they minister about it, even the censers, the flesh-hooks, and the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to it its staffs.

World English Bible

They shall put on it all its vessels with which they minister about it, the fire pans, the meat hooks, the shovels, and the basins—all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread on it a covering of sealskin, and put in its poles.

Young's Literal Translation

and have put on it all its vessels wherewith they minister about it, the censers, the hooks, and the shovels, and the bowls, all the vessels of the altar, and have spread on it a covering of badger skin, and have placed its staves:

Context

The Duties of the Kohathites

¹³Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it,¹⁴and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.

Summary

In this verse, the Lord gives specific instructions to the priests regarding the care and handling of the sacred items in the tabernacle. The responsibility of the priests is to ensure that these holy objects are covered and transported carefully to prevent any desecration. This verse underscores the reverence and respect that should be shown towards the things dedicated to God, highlighting the importance of diligence and obedience in serving the Lord. It serves as a reminder of the sacred nature of the priestly duties and the need for meticulous attention to detail in carrying out God's work.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And when Aaron and his sons had made an end of covering the sanctuary,.... Not the holy place, nor the most holy place, for these were not covered by them; but "the holy things" in them, as the Septuagint version, the ark, shewbread table, &c. and all "the vessels of the sanctuary"; all appertaining to those holy things, which are before mentioned. Jarchi interprets the "sanctuary", or the "holiness", of the ark and altar: and all the vessels of the sanctuary; of the candlestick and the instruments of ministry: as the camp is to set forward; which made the covering of them necessary, in order to their being carried as that moved: after that the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it; or rather them, all the holy things, and their vessels, and that upon their shoulders: but they shall not touch any holy thing; even in bearing them, neither the ark nor any other, only the staves and bar, on which they were carried: lest they die; by the immediate hand of God: these things are the burden of the sons of Kohath, in the tabernacle of the congregation; the above things, the ark, &c. which they were to bear on their shoulders, and not make use of wagons to carry them.