Numbers 7:8

Numbers 7:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

King James Version KJV

And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

American Standard Version ASV

and four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari for their work, under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.

Free Bible Version FBV

He gave four wagons and eight oxen to the families of Merari, to use as they required. The work was all to be done under the direction of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And foure charets and eight oxen hee gaue to the sonnes of Merari according vnto their office, vnder the hand of Ithamar the sonne of Aaron the Priest.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and the four of the waggons and the eight of the oxen he hath given to the sons of Merari, according to their service, by the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest;

World English Bible WEB

He gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

The other four wagons, and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their offices and service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Translation for Translators T4T

and he/I gave four carts and eight oxen to the descendants of Merari for their work. Aaron’s son Ithamar was the supervisor of all their work.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 7:8

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 7:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/אֵ֣ת אַרְבַּ֣ע הָ/עֲגָלֹ֗ת וְ/אֵת֙ שְׁמֹנַ֣ת הַ/בָּקָ֔ר נָתַ֖ן לִ/בְנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֑י כְּ/פִי֙ עֲבֹ֣דָתָ֔/ם בְּ/יַד֙ אִֽיתָמָ֔ר בֶּֽן אַהֲרֹ֖ן הַ/כֹּהֵֽן

וְ/אֵ֣ת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

אַרְבַּ֣ע ʼarbaʻ H702 four Adj

הָ/עֲגָלֹ֗ת ʻăgâlâh H5699 cart Art | N-fp

וְ/אֵת֙ ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

שְׁמֹנַ֣ת shᵉmôneh H8083 eight Adj

הַ/בָּקָ֔ר bâqâr H1241 cattle Art | N-cs

נָתַ֖ן nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Perf-3ms

לִ/בְנֵ֣י bên H1121 son Prep | N-mp

מְרָרִ֑י Mᵉrârîy H4847 Merari N-proper

כְּ/פִי֙ peh H6310 lip Prep | N-ms

עֲבֹ֣דָתָ֔/ם ʻăbôdâh H5656 service N-fs | Suff

בְּ/יַד֙ yâd H3027 hand Prep | N-cs

אִֽיתָמָ֔ר ʼÎythâmâr H385 Ithamar N-proper

בֶּֽן bên H1121 son N-ms

אַהֲרֹ֖ן ʼAhărôwn H175 Aaron N-proper

הַ/כֹּהֵֽן kôhên H3548 priest Art | N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 7:8

וְ/אֵ֣ת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

אַרְבַּ֣ע ʼarbaʻ H702 "four" Adj

The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.

Definition: four

Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.

הָ/עֲגָלֹ֗ת ʻăgâlâh H5699 "cart" Art | N-fp

This Hebrew word refers to a wheeled vehicle, such as a cart or wagon. It appears in the Bible, describing transportation and trade. The word is often translated as 'cart', 'chariot', or 'wagon'.

Definition: cart, wagon

Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: cart, chariot, wagon See also: Genesis 45:19; 1 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 46:10.

וְ/אֵת֙ ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

שְׁמֹנַ֣ת shᵉmôneh H8083 "eight" Adj

The Hebrew word for the number eight, which was considered a special number in biblical times. It is used to describe quantities, such as eight days or eight years, and also appears in ordinal forms, like eighth or eighth day.

Definition: 1) eight, eighth 1a) eight (as cardinal number) 1b) eighth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers

Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. See also: Genesis 5:4; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Jeremiah 32:1.

הַ/בָּקָ֔ר bâqâr H1241 "cattle" Art | N-cs

Domesticated cattle or oxen, used for work or sacrifice, like the animals used in the temple sacrifices in 1 Kings 8:63.

Definition: 1) cattle, herd, oxen, ox 1a) cattle (generic pl. but sing. in form-coll) 1b) herd (particular one) 1c) head of cattle (individually)

Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox. See also: Genesis 12:16; Deuteronomy 8:13; Psalms 66:15.

נָתַ֖ן nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

לִ/בְנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" Prep | N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

מְרָרִ֑י Mᵉrârîy H4847 "Merari" N-proper

Merari was a man in the Bible, the third son of Levi and head of a family of Levites. His name means 'bitter' and he's mentioned in Genesis as an ancestor of the tribe of Levi.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11; son of: Levi (H3878); brother of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955) and Jochebed (H3115); father of: Mahli (H4249), Mushi (H4187) and Jaaziah (H3269) Also named: me.ra.ri (מְרָרִי "Merari" H4848) § Merari = "bitter" the 3rd son of Levi and head of a Levitical family

Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: Merari. See also H4848 (מְרָרִי). See also: Genesis 46:11; 1 Chronicles 6:1; Ezra 8:19.

כְּ/פִי֙ peh H6310 "lip" Prep | N-ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.

Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.

עֲבֹ֣דָתָ֔/ם ʻăbôdâh H5656 "service" N-fs | Suff

This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.

Definition: : service[as_servant/slave] 1) labour, service 1a) labour, work 1b) labour (of servant or slave) 1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects) 1d) service (of God)

Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. See also: Genesis 29:27; Numbers 18:6; Psalms 104:14.

בְּ/יַד֙ yâd H3027 "hand" Prep | N-cs

In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.

Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

אִֽיתָמָ֔ר ʼÎythâmâr H385 "Ithamar" N-proper

Ithamar was a son of Aaron, a leader in the tribe of Levi, first mentioned in Exodus 6:23. He was the youngest of four brothers, including Nadab, Abihu, and Eleazar. His name means 'coast of palms'.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.23; son of: Aaron (H0175) and Elisheba (H0472); brother of: Nadab (H5070), Abihu (H0030) and Eleazar (H0499) § Ithamar = "coast of palms" fourth and youngest son of Aaron

Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: Ithamar. See also: Exodus 6:23; Numbers 7:8; Ezra 8:2.

בֶּֽן bên H1121 "son" N-ms

Definition: : child/son

אַהֲרֹ֖ן ʼAhărôwn H175 "Aaron" N-proper

Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites. He was a leader in the Exodus from Egypt and played a key role in the early history of the Israelites. His story is told in Exodus and Leviticus.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.4.14; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Moses (H4872) and Miriam (H4813); married to Elisheba (H0472); father of: Nadab (H5070), Abihu (H0030), Eleazar (H0499) and Ithamar (H0385) Also named: Aarōn (Ἀαρών "Aaron" G0002) § Aaron = "light bringer" brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest

Usage: Occurs in 328 OT verses. KJV: Aaron. See also: Exodus 4:14; Exodus 34:31; Numbers 3:39.

הַ/כֹּהֵֽן kôhên H3548 "priest" Art | N-ms

In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.

Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)

Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.

Study Notes — Numbers 7:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 7:8 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 7:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 7:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 7:8
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 7:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 7:8
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 7:8
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 7:8
Sermons on Numbers 7:8

Context — Offerings of Dedication

6So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7He gave the Gershonites two carts and four oxen, as their service required,

8and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

9But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible. 10When the altar was anointed, the leaders approached with their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Numbers 4:28–33	This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting, and their duties shall be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. As for the sons of Merari, you are to number them by their clans and families, from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting. This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases, and the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and everything related to their use. You shall assign by name the items that they are responsible to carry. This is the service of the Merarite clans according to all their work at the Tent of Meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”
2	Numbers 3:36–37	The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.

Numbers 7:8 Summary

In Numbers 7:8, Moses gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen to help them with their work, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. This shows that God cares about the details of our work and wants us to be organized and prepared, just like He instructed the Israelites in Exodus 18:21. The Merarites had different tasks than the Gershonites and Kohathites, and God provided for their specific needs, reminding us that He has a plan for each of us, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. By following God's instructions and using the resources He provides, we can serve Him effectively, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Moses give the Merarites four carts and eight oxen?

Moses gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen because their service required it, as stated in Numbers 7:8, and this was done under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest, showing God's attention to detail in the organization of the Levites' work, similar to how God instructed Moses in Exodus 18:21 to appoint capable men to assist him.

What was the role of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest in this context?

Ithamar son of Aaron the priest was in charge of directing the distribution of the carts and oxen to the different Levite families, as seen in Numbers 7:8, ensuring that the instructions from God were followed carefully, much like his father Aaron's role in Numbers 3:6-10 in overseeing the Levites.

How did the Merarites' tasks differ from those of the Gershonites and Kohathites?

The Merarites, Gershonites, and Kohathites had different tasks, with the Merarites needing four carts and eight oxen, the Gershonites needing two carts and four oxen, and the Kohathites carrying the holy objects on their shoulders, as described in Numbers 7:7-9, highlighting the unique responsibilities assigned to each group by God, similar to the varied gifts and ministries in the body of Christ mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

What does this verse reveal about God's character?

This verse shows God's care for the details of the Levites' work and His desire for order and organization, reflecting His nature as a God of order, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:33 and 40, where God is described as the God of peace and not of disorder.

Reflection Questions

How does the attention to detail in Numbers 7:8 encourage me to be more mindful of the specifics in my own service to God?
In what ways can I apply the principle of assigning tasks according to the abilities and needs of individuals, as seen in the distribution of carts and oxen among the Levites?
What can I learn from the example of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest about leadership and following God's instructions?
How does the variety of tasks and responsibilities among the Merarites, Gershonites, and Kohathites remind me of the diversity of gifts and ministries within the body of Christ, as described in Romans 12:4-8?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 7:8

And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari,.... All the remaining wagons and oxen, which were double the number given to the Gershonites: according unto their service; being much

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 7:8

And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites. Moses took the wagons and the oxen.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 7:8

i.e. Under his care and inspection. See . And it must be noted that these words belong both to the Merarites here, and to the Gershonites, , because both of them were under his hands, as is affirmed, ,33.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 7:8

Numbers 7:8 And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.Ver. 8. And four waggons and eight oxen.] Double the number of what the Gershonites had, because their carriage was heavier; God proportions the burden to the back: none of his shall be oppressed, though "pressed out of measure above strength," as Joseph was, whom the archers hated, and shot at: "But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob," ever reserved for a dead lift.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 7:8

Verse 8. Four wagons - unto the sons of Merari] Because they had the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets of the tabernacle to carry, Numbers 4:31-32, therefore they had as many more wagons as the Gershonites.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 7:8

7–9. The transport duties of each of the Levitical families are laid down in ch. 4.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 7:8

8. The sons of Merari, though the most numerous, were required to transport the framework and boards of the tabernacle, the heaviest burden. Hence they received more wagons and oxen.

Sermons on Numbers 7:8

	Sermon	Description
	The Pins of the Tabernacle. by Andrew Bonar	Andrew Bonar emphasizes the significance of seemingly insignificant tasks in God's work, using the example of the 'pins' of the tabernacle to illustrate that God notices and values

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