Numbers 10:21
 Numbers 10:21 
New International Version (©2011)
Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Next came the Kohathite division of the Levites, carrying the sacred objects from the Tabernacle. Before they arrived at the next camp, the Tabernacle would already be set up at its new location.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things, and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy objects; and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
The Kohathites then set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Then the descendants of Kohath, carrying the sanctuary, set out, since the tent was to be set up before they arrive.

NET Bible (©2006)
And the Kohathites set out, carrying the articles for the sanctuary; the tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Then the Kohathites, who carried the holy things, broke camp. By the time they arrived, the tent [of meeting] would already be set up.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And the Kohathites moved forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the others did set up the tabernacle before they came.

American King James Version
And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.

American Standard Version
And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the others did set up the tabernacle against their coming.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the Caathites also marched carrying the sanctuary. So long was the tabernacle carried, till they same to the place of setting it up.

Darby Bible Translation
And the Kohathites set forward bearing the sanctuary: and the others set up the tabernacle whilst they came.

English Revised Version
And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Kohathites moved forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other set up the tabernacle against they came.

World English Bible
The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived.

Young's Literal Translation
And the Kohathites have journeyed, bearing the tabernacle, and the others have raised up the tabernacle until their coming in.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

10:11-28 After the Israelites had continued nearly a year at mount Sinai, and all was settled respecting their future worship, they began their march to Canaan. True religion begins with the knowledge of the holy law of God, and humiliation for sin, but we must go on towards perfection, in acquaintance with Christ and his gospel, and those effectual encouragements, motives, and assistances to holiness, which it proposes. They took their journey according to the commandment of the Lord, De 1:6-8, and as the cloud led them. Those who give themselves to the direction of God's word and Spirit, steer a steady course, even when they seem bewildered. While they are sure they cannot lose their God and Guide, they need not fear losing their way. They went out of the wilderness of Sinai, and rested in the wilderness of Paran. All our removes in this world are but from one wilderness to another. The changes we think will be for the better do not always prove so. We shall never be at rest, never at home, till we come to heaven, but all will be well there.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 21. - The sanctuary. Rather, "the holy things." הַמִּקְדַּשׁ, equivalent to the קֹדֶשׁ הֲקָּדָשׁים if Numbers 4:4. Septuagint, τὰ ἅγια. The sacred furniture mentioned in chapter Numbers 3:31 (but cf. verse 33). The other did set up the tabernacle. Literally, "they set up," but no doubt it means the Gershonites and Merarites, whose business it was.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the Kohathites set forward,.... After the standard of the camps of Reuben, and between that and the standard of the camp of Ephraim, to, which there is an allusion in Psalm 80:2,

bearing the sanctuary, or the holy things, as Jarchi; the ark, as Aben Ezra; though not that only, which indeed might be eminently called so, it standing in the most holy place, over which were the mercy seat and cherubim, the residence of the divine Majesty; but all the holy things in the holy place, the candlestick, shewbread table, and the two altars, the altar of incense in the holy place, and the altar of burnt offerings in the court these they bore on their shoulders, and had no wagons allowed for their assistance:

and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came; that is, the sons of Gershon and Merari, who went before between the standard of Judah and the standard of Reuben, carrying the heavier and more cumbersome parts of the tabernacle; which, when Judah pitched their tents, at the signal of the cloud, they immediately put together, and erected, and got it ready, by such time as the Kohathites came up to them, that so the ark and other holy things might be at once put into it, and set in their proper places.


Numbers 10:21 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Moving from Sinai to Paran
20And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 21And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came. 22And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. …

Numbers 4:4 "This is the work of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.
Numbers 10:17 Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out.
Numbers 10:20 and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad.
1 Chronicles 23:24 These were the descendants of Levi by their families--the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the temple of the LORD.