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◄ Numbers 7:8►

New International Version
and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.

New Living Translation
and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarite division for their work. All their work was done under the leadership of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

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

Berean Standard Bible
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 Bible
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.

New King James Version
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

New American Standard Bible
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

NASB 1995
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

NASB 1977
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Legacy Standard Bible
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Amplified Bible
and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service [in transporting the tabernacle], under the supervision of Ithamar the son of Aaron, the [high] priest.

Christian Standard Bible
and gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen corresponding to their service, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen corresponding to their service, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

American Standard Version
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.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He gave four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites for the work they had to do under the direction of Ithamar, son of the priest Aaron.

Good News Translation
and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites. All their work was to be done under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron.

International Standard Version
Four carts and eight oxen were given to the descendants of Merari for their work.

NET Bible
and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their service required, under the authority of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

New Heart English Bible
and 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
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.

World English Bible
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.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and he has given the four wagons and the eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, by the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest,

Young's Literal Translation
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;

Smith's Literal Translation
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.

New American Bible
and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites according to their duties, under the supervision of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.

New Revised Standard Version
and four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the Merarites, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, enough for their service into the hand of Ithamar, son of Ahron the Priest.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And four waggons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari according to their ministrations, by Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Offerings of Dedication
…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.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Exodus 25:9
You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

Exodus 40:17-19
So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year. / When Moses set up the tabernacle, he laid its bases, positioned its frames, inserted its crossbars, and set up its posts. / Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, just as the LORD had commanded him.

1 Chronicles 23:26
So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.”

1 Chronicles 23:32
So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 15:2
Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

1 Chronicles 6:48
Their fellow Levites were assigned to every kind of service of the tabernacle, the house of God.

1 Chronicles 23:32
So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 8:4
and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.

2 Chronicles 5:5
and they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The Levitical priests carried them up.

Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.

Deuteronomy 31:9
So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

Hebrews 9:1-5
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. / A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ...

Hebrews 9:6-10
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. / By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. ...

Acts 7:44
Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the wilderness. It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.

Acts 15:10
Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?

Treasury of Scripture

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.

four wagons

Numbers 3:36,37
Andunder the custody and charge of the sons of Merarishall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto, …

Numbers 4:28-33
Thisis the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their chargeshall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest…

the sons.

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Aaron Carts Direction Eight Four Hand Ithamar Ith'amar Merari Merar'i Merarites Oxen Priest Required Service Waggons Wagons Work

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Numbers 7

1.The offering of the princes at the dedication of the tabernacle
10.Their several offerings at the dedication of the altar
89.God speaks to Moses from the mercy seat

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen
The Merarites were one of the three Levitical clans responsible for the care and transportation of the tabernacle's structural components, such as the frames, bars, pillars, and bases. The allocation of four carts and eight oxen reflects the heavy and cumbersome nature of their assigned duties. This provision underscores the importance of practical support in fulfilling God's work, highlighting the principle of equipping those who serve. The number of carts and oxen is significant, as it indicates a well-organized system for transporting the tabernacle, ensuring that the sacred space could be moved efficiently and reverently.

as their service required
This phrase emphasizes the specific needs of the Merarites' duties. The allocation was not arbitrary but based on the practical requirements of their service. It reflects God's attention to detail and His provision for the needs of His people. This principle can be seen throughout Scripture, where God provides according to the specific needs of His servants, as seen in the provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) and the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21).

all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest
Ithamar, the youngest son of Aaron, was given oversight of the Merarites. This indicates a structured hierarchy within the Levitical duties, ensuring order and accountability. Ithamar's role highlights the importance of leadership and stewardship in the service of God. His oversight is a precursor to the New Testament concept of church leadership, where elders and deacons are appointed to oversee and serve the congregation (1 Timothy 3). The mention of Ithamar also connects to the broader narrative of the priesthood established through Aaron's lineage, which ultimately points to Jesus Christ as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Persons / Places / Events

1.Sons of Merari
One of the Levitical families responsible for the care and transportation of the tabernacle's structural components, such as the frames, bars, pillars, and bases.

2.Ithamar
The youngest son of Aaron, the high priest, who was responsible for overseeing the work of the Merarites and other Levitical families in their duties related to the tabernacle.

3.Aaron
The first high priest of Israel and brother of Moses, who played a crucial role in the establishment of the priestly order and the tabernacle service.

4.Carts and Oxen
These were provided to the Levites to assist in the transportation of the tabernacle's heavy components as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness.

5.Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites, central to their worship and community life during their wilderness journey.

Teaching Points

God's Provision for Service
God equips His people with the necessary resources to fulfill their calling. Just as the sons of Merari were given carts and oxen, God provides us with what we need to serve Him effectively.

Order and Structure in Worship
The detailed organization of the Levites' duties underscores the importance of order and structure in worship. Our worship should reflect reverence and intentionality.

Delegation and Leadership
Ithamar's role in overseeing the Merarites highlights the importance of delegation and leadership within the community of faith. Effective ministry often requires clear roles and responsibilities.

Faithfulness in Assigned Roles
The sons of Merari faithfully carried out their specific duties. We are called to be faithful in whatever role God assigns us, recognizing that every task contributes to the greater purpose.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Numbers 7:8?

2.How does Numbers 7:8 demonstrate God's provision for the Levites' responsibilities?

3.What can we learn about God's order from the distribution in Numbers 7:8?

4.How does Numbers 7:8 connect with the broader theme of service in Scripture?

5.In what ways can we apply the principle of support from Numbers 7:8 today?

6.How does Numbers 7:8 encourage us to support those serving in ministry roles?

7.Why were oxen and carts given to the sons of Merari in Numbers 7:8?

8.How does Numbers 7:8 reflect God's provision for the Levites' duties?

9.What is the significance of the distribution of resources in Numbers 7:8?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 7?

11.In Ezra 8:2-14, how can these genealogies be accurately verified given the long exile gap and sparse extrabiblical records?

12.Why does Numbers 8:7 require shaving the entire body for purification, and is there any archaeological evidence of this practice?

13.In 1 Chronicles 15:2, where David insists only the Levites may carry the Ark, how do we reconcile this claim with any instances where non-Levites handled it or transported it in other texts?

14.Who was the high priest in the Bible?

What Does Numbers 7:8 Mean

And he gave the Merarites

The Merarites were the descendants of Levi’s son Merari (Numbers 3:33–37). God had already assigned them to care for the heaviest, most structural parts of the tabernacle—the boards, bars, pillars, and bases (Numbers 4:29–33). When Moses “gave” to them, he was distributing the offerings that the twelve tribal leaders had just presented to the LORD (Numbers 7:2–5). Scripture records this as a literal historical act, showing God’s provision for every ministry within His sanctuary, just as later He would supply workers for rebuilding the house of God in Ezra and Nehemiah.

four carts and eight oxen

The load-bearing items entrusted to the Merarites demanded sturdy transport.

• Carts: practical wagons similar to the “new cart” used by the Philistines in1 Samuel 6:7–8, yet the tabernacle required more reverence; these carts were consecrated for holy duty (Numbers 7:6–7).

• Eight oxen: two for each cart—ample strength to move weight without strain, echoing the wisdom ofProverbs 14:4 that “abundance comes from the strength of the ox.”

God never assigns a task without equipping His servants (Philippians 4:19). The precision—four carts, eight oxen—underscores His orderly care for worship.

as their service required

The phrase points back to detailed job descriptions inNumbers 4:31–33. Boards and pillars were large, unwieldy, and unsuitable for hand-carrying like the holy furnishings of the Kohathites (Numbers 7:9). By tailoring resources “as their service required,” the LORD modeled stewardship and fairness—principles echoed inActs 6:1–4, where practical needs were met so spiritual ministry could flourish.

all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest

Ithamar supervised both the Gershonites (Numbers 4:28) and Merarites (Numbers 4:33), ensuring that every cart, ox, and Levite acted in harmony with God’s commands. His oversight reminds us that spiritual leadership involves organization (1Colossians 14:40) and accountability (Hebrews 13:17). Just as Bezalel reported to Ithamar during the tabernacle’s construction (Exodus 38:21), so the transport teams now submitted to priestly authority, keeping sacred work holy.

summary

Numbers 7:8 records God’s precise, literal provision for the Merarite Levites: four carts and eight oxen, perfectly matched to their heavy-duty assignment, administered under Ithamar’s watchful priestly eye. The verse showcases the LORD’s orderly care, equitable distribution of resources, and the necessity of godly oversight—principles that still guide faithful service today.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. -Four wagons... he gave unto the sons of Merari. The heavy portions of the fabric, which were intrusted to the Merarites, especially required this means of transport.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and
וְאֵ֣ת ׀(wə·’êṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

he gave
נָתַ֖ן(nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, set

the Merarites
לִבְנֵ֣י(liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A son

four
אַרְבַּ֣ע(’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 702:Four

carts
הָעֲגָלֹ֗ת(hā·‘ă·ḡā·lōṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5699:Something revolving, a wheeled vehicle

and eight
שְׁמֹנַ֣ת(šə·mō·naṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8083:A cardinal number, eight, eighth

oxen,
הַבָּקָ֔ר(hab·bā·qār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241:Beef cattle, ox, a herd

as their service
עֲבֹ֣דָתָ֔ם(‘ă·ḇō·ḏā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5656:Work of any kind

required,
כְּפִי֙(kə·p̄î)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

all under the direction
בְּיַד֙(bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027:A hand

of Ithamar
אִֽיתָמָ֔ר(’î·ṯā·mār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 385:Ithamar -- 'land of palms', a son of Aaron

son
בֶּֽן־(ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121:A son

of Aaron
אַהֲרֹ֖ן(’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175:Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

the priest.
הַכֹּהֵֽן׃(hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548:Priest

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OT Law: Numbers 7:8 And he gave four wagons and eight (Nu Num.)