21 God spoke to Moses: 22 "Number the Gershonites by tribes according to their ancestral families. 23 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who enter the ministry of work in the Tent of Meeting. 24 "The Gershonites by family and clan will serve by carrying heavy loads: 25 the curtains of the Sanctuary and the Tent of Meeting; the covering of the Tent and the outer covering of dolphin skins; the screens for the entrance to the Tent; 26 the cords; and all the equipment used in its ministries. The Gershonites have the job of doing the work connected with these things. 27 All their work of lifting and carrying and moving is to be done under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. Assign them specifically what they are to carry. 28 This is the work of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting. Ithamar son of Aaron the priest is to supervise their work. Duties of the Merarites 29 "Number the Merarites by their ancestral families. 30 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who enter the ministry of work at the Tent of Meeting. 31 "This is their assigned duty as they go to work at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of The Dwelling, its crossbars, posts, and bases, 32 as well as the posts of the surrounding Courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, cords, and all the equipment related to their use. Assign to each man exactly what he is to carry. 33 This is the ministry of the Merarite clans as they work at the Tent of Meeting under the supervision of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 4:21-33

Commentary on Numbers 4:21-33

(Read Numbers 4:21-33)

We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and to be done regularly. All the things were delivered them by name. It intimates the care God takes of his church and every member of it. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the tabernacle, 2 Peter 1:14. All shall be raised up in the great day, when these vile bodies shall be made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ, and so shall be for ever with the Lord.